LIMA — With it’s variety of food, rides and arcade games the Putnam County Fair has swung back around once more.
With more than 160 years of bringing entertainment to the people of Putnam and it’s surrounding areas the fair will run through Saturday. The festivities officially began with the opening ceremony held at the fairgrounds Monday afternoon.
The ceremony was a collection of Putnam County pride, with representation from various groups, such as the 4-H club, Junior Fair Board, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The ceremony began with a welcome as well as thank-you for being in attendance and the singing of the national anthem. It also featured an array of awards and dedications given to families with longstanding farms.
The ceremony continued with Brian Bauman, assistant to U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, who presented a proclamation to Maurice Miller, the Fair Board president, for his dedication to the fair, as well as the fair’s longevity.
“This fair and surrounding fairs are very important to congressman Latta,” Bauman said as he presented the award.
Miller spoke fondly of the fair and the people who helped bring it together this year and in previous years. Miller began to get slightly choked up when he spoke of the funding difficulties that were faced this year. Miller mentioned their application for a grant, but because of very strict protocols and restrictions to what the grant may be used for they were unable to secure the grant.
Miller then introduced the family of Sheriff Mike Chandler, who died earlier this year. Chandler’s family was presented with this award because of Chandler’s exemplary contributions to his community as well as to the Putnam County Fair.
The ceremony concluded with the annual bell ringing, which was open to all those who participated in the ceremony, as well as those in the audience. With the ringing of the bell to end the ceremony, and officially open the fair, families set off to enjoy a day in the sun.
Shawna Harnishfeger was seen with her three small children — Jeremy, 4, Jade, 3, and Jenna, 1. Harnishfeger said this is her first year in attendance at the fair, but she sees a possibility in attending all five days, and making it an annual family event.
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