First fair of seaon kicks off in Putnam County

OTTAWA - When the bell rings Tuesday at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Sean Logan will join other officials and fair board members to kick off the 2008 Putnam County Fair.

This year's fair runs from Tuesday through Sunday, June 29. Major attractions will include the annual high school band show, a combine derby, a truck derby, harness racing and a demolition derby.

Following Saturday's combine and truck derby, fireworks will be shot off at dusk. Those in the grandstand will have the best seats in the house for viewing the fireworks.

On Sunday, the third annual Putnam County Fair Kart Races will be held at the Putnam Speed Park on the fairgrounds.

With the high price of gas, fair board members hope area residents will enjoy a "vacation at home" by coming to the fair.

In addition to the evening grandstand events, numerous other activities are planned during the fair. The Robinson Family will return to entertain with songs, stories and comedy with two shows each day in the Entertainment Tent.

Other events scheduled in the Entertainment Tent include crowning of Little Mr. and Miss Putnam County on Wednesday, Kiddie Tractor Pull on Sunday, and daily performances by singer Jamie Coyne. The popular Barnyard Express will return to this year's fair with Farmer John bringing his wide assortment of farm animals, including a pig, goat and dog.

New to this year's fair will be the PoppyTown Puppets, who will perform three times daily on the midway with their puppets providing humor, drama, enchantment and inspiration.

Another new activity will be in the Main Show Arena on Saturday. Following the annual beef obstacle course, this year's fair will feature an obstacle course for sheep and goats.

Today, Dale and Jodi Niese will serve as the grand marshals for the fair parade down Main Street to the fairgrounds in Ottawa. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature numerous 4-H floats, tractors and other attractions that will be at the fair.

"The Nieses have always provided assistance during the fair and been proponents of the fair," fair board President Dale Verhoff said.

He said the Nieses, owners of Deale's Concrete & Stamping, in Leipsic, spearheaded the junior fair plaza in addition to being involved in many other projects."

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