BELLVILLE — A Bellville Street Fair tradition is making a comeback

This year’s fair will once again feature a community square dance. This beginner-friendly event will take place at Saturday outside Village Hall from 9 to 11 p.m. and feature caller Valerie Norman.

The 175th Bellville Street Fair kicked off Wednesday and continues through Saturday night.

The fair was established in 1850 with just a few produce stands and today is one of only two agricultural street fairs remaining in Ohio, according to the Bellville Fair Board.

As always, visitors can expect nightly entertainment, mouth-watering food, rides, exhibits and running into at least three folks you haven’t seen in a while.

A pay one price special on rides runs Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. Special kid’s prices will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Don’t forget to stop by the Bellville branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library to take in the art show, with works in youth and adult divisions. Displays will be up Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday until noon.

Want to go one step further to support the arts? The Clear Fork Band Boosters Cake Auction will take place at the band stand Saturday at 4 p.m.

Entertainment to include live music, Budweiser Clydesdales

This year’s entertainment lineup features classic favorites along with live music, a gymnastics exhibition and a visit by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

The iconic steeds will be hitched next to Elzy Milling at Trade on Friday and proceed through town from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Shootouts will perform Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Akron-based band is known for its energetic fusion of Rustbelt Americana, roots rock, and country music, which fans often refer to as “country music for people who don’t like country.”

Blue Highway will take the stage Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The award-winning Bluegrass band has been touring for more than 30 years and boasts three Grammy nominations.

Keep scrolling for full junior fair and entertainment schedules, or visit bellvillestreetfair.org.

Junior fair schedule

Rabbit show Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the poultry tent

Sheep show Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the livestock tent

Cattle show Wednesday in the livestock tent immediately following the sheep show

Poultry show Thursday at 5 p.m. in the poultry tent

Goat show Thursday at 6 p.m. in the livestock tent

Hog show Thursday in the livestock tent, immediately following the goat show

Junior livestock sale, Saturday at 10 a.m. in the livestock tent

Horse show, Sunday at 1 p.m. at Timber Valley Ranch (4848 St. Rt. 13)

Main stage entertainment schedule

Fair queen contest Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Clear Fork High School Marching Band Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Marching Princesses Thursday at 6 p.m.

The Shootouts (live music) Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Pet show Saturday at 11 a.m.

Kiddie pedal pull Saturday at 1 p.m.

Heart of Ohio Athletics gymnastics exhibition Saturday at 3 p.m.

Blue Highway (live music) Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Staff reporter at Richland Source since 2019. I focus on education, housing and features. Clear Fork alumna. Always looking for a chance to practice my Spanish. Got a tip? Email me at katie@richlandsource.com.