Grass clippings flew in all directions this week, as did brooms and dust pans, paint brushes and vendors rushing around the Hartford Fairgrounds to set up for the 168th running of “The Biggest Little Fair in the World,” as The Hartford Fair calls itself.
Fair Director Roger W. Smith was among those running from pillar to post in preparation for the official opening of the fair in northwest Licking County 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. The fair runs through 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at the conclusion of a concert by the Columbus country band 23 Southbound.
“It’s an interesting time,” Smith said in an understated way on Tuesday as he mopped his brow and talked about all that had been done to get ready for the fair – and much that was yet to be done in the remaining few days before the official opening.
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| If You Go: The Hartford Fair runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Admission is $10 ($9.50 if purchased online), and children under age 8 get in free. Seniors and veterans pay $5 between 7-4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10. Rides will operate from 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 – before the fair officially opens – with unlimited rides for those who purchase a $15 wristband. Rides will operate from noon to 11 p.m. from Aug. 9-15, and children can ride all day with a $22 wristband – except on Thursday, when the wristbands are $17. See the full schedule of events and more details on The Hartford Fair website.
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In reality, for Smith and a handful of the fair’s paid staff, and their many volunteers, the fair had already begun.
As he spoke, vendors were pulling food trailers and children’s rides into their designated spots on the fairgrounds just outside the Village of Hartford, also known as Croton. And folks were trickling into the fair office to pick up passes that would allow them to camp in the 600 campsites on the 200-acre fairgrounds.
At $350 each for a campsite with electricity, the campers – many of whom are families showing animals or participating in the fair in some way – “are a great source of revenue” for the independent fair.
And that money helps fund four $1,500 scholarships the fair board awards each year to youth who show animals at the fair.
While the Hartford Fair is the de facto Licking County Fair, it actually serves a larger area than just Licking County, including parts of Delaware and Knox counties. It is the largest independent fair in Ohio.
Unlike most other fairs in Ohio, the Hartford Fairgrounds and fixtures are not owned by the Licking County commissioners. They are owned and operated by an independent fair board, and supported by sponsors that include the county and a host of other organizations and businesses.
Smith, 75, is in his second year as the fair manager, but he has been on the fair board for 25 years and has spent his life around agriculture and fairs. In his youth, growing up on a Fairfield County farm, he showed beef cattle at the county fair.
“I’m partial to the livestock,” Smith said when asked about his favorite aspect of the fair. “I enjoy dealing with the kids. I thoroughly enjoy working with them – and those who have aged out of the programs. We’re blessed that some of them return as adult volunteers to help with the fair.”
Smith said he might find a new favorite event at the fair if someone would ask him to help judge the contests for best baked goods. “But I’ve never been asked,” he said with a frown.
He said that while the fair has its roots in agriculture, and the number of farm families in the area is shrinking, the fair offers something for everyone.
City folks, especially children, appreciate seeing the farm animals and learning about where their food comes from. The carnival rides are a big draw, offering unlimited rides with a $20 wristband – or the reduced price of $17 on Thursday. And the grandstand entertainment each night – and the Beer Garden concerts after those events – draw big crowds.
The 4-H Band is a fixture on the fairgrounds and a fan favorite, and it performs daily.
| Read more: Licking County hosts one of two remaining 4-H bands in the country
Grandstand events include the truck and tractor pulls at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, the demolition derby at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, the 406 FMX Freestyle Motocross Show at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Monster Truck event at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Fast Traxx Motocross event at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Rough Truck event at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and a rodeo and horse-pulling contest at 7 p.m. on Friday.
New this year is a “Fantasy Drone Show” at 10 p.m. each night from Sunday through Wednesday. Several hundred lighted drones will dance through the night sky like fireworks, but in intricate patterns.
The biggest of them all in terms of attendance, Smith said, is the Rough Truck event on Friday evening.
“That event draws thousands more people than any other event,” Smith said. “About 150 or so trucks compete, and each runs a challenging, timed course with the goal of getting the best time.”
He said there are a few tricked out trucks, but the condition of many is as the name implies – rough.
Also somewhat new at the fair is the “Animal Adventures” program, which is a joint venture by the Licking County 4-H Youth Development Program and the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. It’s now in its fourth year.
“It’s open to any child with a disability,” said Anna Jeffries, public information officer for the board of developmental disabilities. “They have to meet the age requirements for 4-H, which is 8 to 19, and live in the Hartford Fair district, which is all of Licking and parts of Knox and Delaware counties.”
The goal is to give a special opportunity to children and youth who are interested in showing animals but aren’t aware of 4-H, Jeffries said.
Participants had to register by June, and the 16 who registered this year will be paired with 24 4-H members who are showing animals at the fair. The Animal Adventures participants learn from their 4-H mentors, and their experience culminates with them walking into the Carr Pavillion show ring at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday with their mentors’ animals.
“It’s been really awesome over the past couple of years to see it grow,” Jeffries said. “We now have children who participated in Animal Adventures who are getting more into it by joining 4-H or FFA and raising their own animals.”
Alan Miller writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.