Second Kids Day planned at fair

OTTAWA - It rained at noon and then it rained again in the early evening. But no one was surprised.

"It's the week of the Putnam County Fair. I expect this," Millie Ruen said Tuesday as she sat at the Putnam County Historical Society booth in the Merchant's Building. People took shelter in different buildings during each storm.

The fair board didn't want this to put a damper on the fun local children could have the fair.

"We're going to have another Kids Day," fair board president Don Verhoff said.

A second Kids Day is scheduled for Friday. Children 16 and under can get into the fair free until 4:30 p.m. They can also ride mechanical rides from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for only $8.

Although showers did interrupt some activities, the fair still stayed busy throughout the day.

E. Gordan Gee, The Ohio State University president, flew into the Putnam County Airport so he could come to the fair.

"I want to get around to all 88 counties to see what OSU is offering and what they need to offer," Gee said. He often stopped 4-H and FFA members to ask where they planned to go to college and to ask about their projects as he toured the Junior Fair barns

As he walked among the barns, Gee also listened as the parents explained their children's projects. He took an opportunity to speak during the junior fair feeder calf judging/showmanship.

"It's great to be here," Gee told the crowd. "This is the first time I've visited the Putnam County Fair."

Also visiting the fair was Bobby D. Moser, OSU Vice President for Agriculture Administration.

‘I like visiting county fairs," Moser said. "It's always about the family."

He said his visits to the fair help him learn more about what OSU Extension Services are doing in different counties and how they work with people in the communities.

"It reminds me of how much work is done by not only the kids, but the adult advisers and parents," Moser said.

Mark Wrasman, a 6-year old from Fort Jennings, said he enjoys the animals at the fair. "And making new friends," his mom added. The Wrasman family is camping at the fair while Mark's elder brothers keep an eye on their projects.

The Putnam County Little Miss and Little Mister Putnam County Fair drew more than 30 entries. Children listed cotton candy, rides and fireworks as their favorite parts of the fair.

One child went outside the norm and said macaroni was her favorite causing moderator Reid Hancock to question which booth offered macaroni at the fair.

"It sounds kind of good," he said.

Chosen as this year's Little Miss and Mister were Hunter Maas and Kaylee Unverferth, both of Ottawa.

Hunter is the son of Angela and Michael Maas. Kaylee is the daughter of Roger and Tricia Unverferth.

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