LIMA — The Allen County Fair officially kicked off at 4 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the grounds.
Mother Nature cooperated, providing perfect weather for the first day of the event. The Ohio State University Alumni Band provided music at the ceremony and several local dignitaries spoke briefly to open the fair.
“Setting up the fair is always a strenuous time for everyone,” said fair manager David Grimm. “It always amazes me how things come together. You are basically setting up a city in a couple of days.”
Dakota Davis, 17, is a band member at Spencerville High School. The junior said the Kewpee Showcase of Bands gives him a chance to perform at a venue that is a little bit different.
“You warm up the same,” Davis said, “but it still seems a little different. “You are used to playing at night and it gives you a chance to play in the daylight. It is different than playing on the field.”
Madison Hollinger, 17 and a senior at Wapakoneta High School, said it is a more laid back atmosphere as bands prepare for the school year. Hollinger is a piccolo player and is also the band president.
“We always try to do our best,” Hollinger, “but it is definitely more laid back. It is a warm up for the school year.”
Bailey Holtz, a 17 year old with the Wapakoneta band, said it is a good test for freshmen making their first official appearance.
“It’s their first time and a good chance to work out the butterflies with a big crowd,” Holtz said. “It gives everyone a chance to show what has happened in the countless hours of practice they have put in.”
Robert Dotson, an associate director with the Allen East High School band, said the show sets the standard for the new school year.
“It shows where you are starting from for the rest of the school year,” Dotson said. “It is mainly a competition with yourselves. You can only improve from this point.”
The OSU Alumni Band also performed in the grandstand prior to the band concert as one of the feature events on opening day. The fair gets moving full throttle with several popular events today, such as the fair parade at 9:45 a.m. and the demolition derby at 7 p.m.
“Those are two very popular events, and we expect a big crowd Saturday,” Grimm said.
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