Van Wert County Fair squeaks in at the end of summer

VAN WERT — The midway at the county fair is a place for children, no matter how old they are.

Ron Lumm, 67, of Delphos, was at the Ske-Ball booth at the Van Wert County Fair on Wednesday just after the midway opened. He won a stuffed snake and panda. Last year he won more.

“Last year I went nuts,” he said. “I won a lot more prizes, including the biggest one.”

Kieth Hirn, 67, of Van Wert, enjoyed the games as well. Before Skee-Ball, he and Lumm had played miniature golf.

“I beat him,” Lumm said. “I had two holes in one.”

Hirn said the two spend a lot of time at the arcade tent, where air hockey is a favorite game.

One of the last county fairs in the region, Van Wert’s event is focused on classic fair entertainment.

Grandstand events this year include: harness racing Thursday, Friday and Monday night; a cheerleading invitational competition on Saturday; truck wars Saturday afternoon; high school band competition on Tuesday; and demolition derby on Wednesday that includes lawn mowers. Sunday’s grandstand events include an antique tractor pull at 11 a.m. and a truck and tractor pull at 7 p.m.

Today is senior citizens day and Wednesday honors veterans.

Fair director Paul Oechsle is excited by the interest in this year’s fair.

“We have probably the most entries we’ve ever had,” he said. “And as many concessions and vendors as we’ve ever had.”

“The fair’s bigger this year, he said.”I just hope we can have good weather for it.”