OTTAWA — It is perhaps fitting that Monday is the first day of summer as well as the opening day for the Putnam County Fair in Ottawa.
The Putnam County Fair begins Monday with the traditional ringing of the bell, and runs through Saturday in Ottawa. This is one of the first county fairs in Ohio, and the first in the area.
People from all walks of life come to the fair to see their neighbors or their neighbors’ neighbors. The fair brings out a childlike innocence in everyone from the smells of the food, to the rides to the games to the entertainment. There definitely is something for everyone at the Putnam County Fair.
“With us being a smaller county it is definitely kind of a reunion for people,” said Kendra Von Lehmden-Wentz, public relations director. “Overall we try to have something for everyone at the fair. We try to bring in something that will be entertaining for everybody, and of course, there’s the fair food too.”
Daily admission is $6 for adults, ages 13 and older. Children ages 12 and younger are free. A season pass can be purchased for $25 as well as a membership pass for $25. The admission price does not include ride tickets. Bracelets can be purchased for $12 from noon to 5:30 p.m. and $12 from 5:30 p.m. to close, or for $16 a ride bracelet is good all day and evening. Tuesday is Kids Day, and ride bracelets are $10 from noon to 5 p.m.
New this year is the Bigfoot Monster Truck car crush show. The truck is doing two shows Thursday at 6 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. in the grandstands.
“We have Bigfoot Monster Truck on Thursday for two different car crushes in the grandstands. The truck will be on display for photos and the driver will be there to answer questions,” Von Lehmden-Wentz said.
During the intermission of the Bigfoot car crushes, a Redneck Relay will be held. Teams of three individuals, one individual has to have a driver license, will load up 24 bales of straw, drive through an obstacle course, unload the straw, restack the straw and drive back. There is a $15 entry fee per team and cash prizes are paid for first, second and third places.
“We have the Rhinstone Roper doing shows on Tuesday through Saturday with his horse Lucky Joe. He will be in the area by the smaller kids rides. He will do three to four shows a day,” Von Lehmden-Wentz said.
The Rhinestone Roper is an interactive Wild West traveling show that includes trick roping, knife throwing, gun spinning and fast-draw shooting. Stunts are performed by his horse Lucky Joe. The Rhinestone Roper made it to the quarter finals of “America’s Got Talent.”
This is the first year for a cornhole tournament to be held.
“We have a cornhole tournament on Saturday at noon. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. in the entertainment tent. Cost is $10 per team,” Von Lehmden-Wentz said. “Also new this year is the Miss Putnam County Teen Princess contest. This is open to girls who live in Putnam County ages 13 to 16. They wear normal street clothes, talk in front of the judges, and represent themselves.”
Popular acts and events coming back to the fair include Professor Bubblemaker, with his new patriotic themed show, “Sunshine Monkeyshines,” helicopter rides, harness racing, W.A.R. Wrestling, and Putnam County Youth Boxing Association.
“Putnam County Youth Boxing Association is back. This is the second year we have had boxing. They put on a pretty good show,” said Nathan Meyer, Putnam County Fair Director. “W.A.R. Wrestling has been here for six years. They put on a good show and I think people enjoy watching it.”
The popular band Nashville Crush will be performing rom 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Members of the Pandora Cub Scout troop 226, long with other fairgoers ring the bell to start the beginning of the Putnam County fair on Monday afternoon. Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/06/web1_PutnamCtyFair_Ringing-in-the-fair_01co.jpgMembers of the Pandora Cub Scout troop 226, long with other fairgoers ring the bell to start the beginning of the Putnam County fair on Monday afternoon. Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
Chaselyn Herringshaw, 11, right, Enjoys a fair ride on the "Hurricane" with her friend, Natalie Eier, 8. Both girls are from Findlay. Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/06/web1_PurnamCtyFair_Hurricane-ride_01co.jpgChaselyn Herringshaw, 11, right, Enjoys a fair ride on the "Hurricane" with her friend, Natalie Eier, 8. Both girls are from Findlay. Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
In this file photo, Sophie Bricker, 11, right, and her brother, Noah, 9, enjoy a ride on the “Scrambler” at the Putnam County Fair. Both are from Bluffton.
http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/06/web1_PutnamCtyFair_Scrambler_01co.jpgIn this file photo, Sophie Bricker, 11, right, and her brother, Noah, 9, enjoy a ride on the “Scrambler” at the Putnam County Fair. Both are from Bluffton. Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
