GRAND MARSHALS — Family members of the late Larry Mosti, as well as local fire and EMS personnel, participated in the ribbon cutting to officially open the 153rd Jefferson County Fair Monday. -- Christopher Dacanay

SMITHFIELD — Jefferson County launched into its 153rd county fair following Monday’s opening ceremony, which included the junior fair royalty coronation, reflections from officials and the honoring of this year’s grand marshals.

Taking place at 1505 Friendship Park Road, the 2024 Jefferson County Fair will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, with rides opening at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 per person, which provides access to rides and any evening entertainment.

Fair board President Ray Hildebrand officially welcomed to the fair all attendees gathered at the fairgrounds’ Rozsa Pavilion. He invited individuals to tour the grounds and see the improvements made in preparation for the fair, including the new accommodations constructed for the cheerleading competition.

Junior Fair participants posted the colors, followed by a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Glory Dami.

Members of the Jefferson County Veterans Association raised the flag and were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by veteran Lamont McCoy. Cmdr. John Kaffana introduced members by name and service branch, and acknowledged other veterans in the crowd.

Hildebrand added, “(Kaffana) always thanks us for what we do for them. The reason we’re able to do it for them is (because of) what they did for us, years ago whe nthey went off to God knows where and everybody hated them and everybody wanted to kill them. So, I take my hat off to you gentlemen, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

Tom Graham sang “God Bless the USA,” commenting beforehand: “In these times we’re living in, if we ever needed God to bless the USA, it’s today and every day. We’re a very divided country, and we need a lot of help to put it all back together.”

Proclamations were given by four representatives of Ohio elected officials, including Mary Kate Hastings, Northeast Ohio regional representative for Lt. Gov. Jon Husted; Jennifer Drlik, East regional liaison for Auditor of State Keith Faber; Fiona Ruminski, Eastern Ohio regional liaison for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Jacob Coman, field representative for U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem.

Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. introduced the local elected officials present, as well as several candidates for county seats. Abdalla said he is looking forward to fair week and noted that he’ll be present at the sheriff’s tent.

Kaitlynn Merkel, 2023 Jefferson County Junior Fair queen, reflected on her past year, saying that her experience as fair queen has been an “opportunity like no other.” Her experiences include attending other counties’ fairs, speaking at the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee and Connections and attending the Ohio Fair Managers Association convention.

Fair board Treasurer Debbie Hukill mentioned this year’s theme, “Change is Good,” adding that some changes are good and others are “hard to take.” Some changes this year have been made to the fair’s grandstands entertainment: Tuesday is off-road dirt tack races, Wednesday is bump ‘n’ run autocross and Thursday is a bulls and barrels rodeo. There will also be a cornhole tournament for Junior Fair participants fair Monday evening.

On Saturday, Hukill said, the fair hosted a Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show, which invited individuals with disabilities to show livestock. Hukill said this event was a success and will hopefully become an annual tradition. Hukill also acknowledged Hildebrand for successfully obtained a temporary wireless internet tower for fair week.

Additionally, Hukill acknowledged the Junior Fair coordinators and the six junior fair participants chosen for the fair’s inaugural Junior Fair Executive Board. The six contributed “hours of work” to helping organize the fair.

Recognizing all of the Junior Fair participants, Hukill said, “Change can be good, but our fair board works on preserving our best asset, and that’s our kids — our pride and joy. When you see them this week, take notice of how proud we should be of you and Jefferson County.”

Dami performed “Time of Your Life” by Green Day. Afterward, Hildebrand introduced the fair board and sale committee, saying, “These people do a lot here, and I’ll put this fair board against any in the state.”

Hildebrand led a memorial for those contributors to the fair who passed away within the last year. Among those remembered were Bill Koniski, who cut the fairgrounds’ grass; Gil Boring and Eddie Mercer, former fair board members, and Rick Rine, who was the board’s sitting vice president at the time of his death.

Hildebrand also spoke of the late Larry Mosti, who coordinated the fair’s fire and EMS. A firefighter from Toronto, Mosti is being honored as this year’s grand marshal, along with his family, who will join in the parade’s fair Saturday at 10 a.m.

Hildebrand noted Mosti’s dedication to securing emergency response protection for events and his cheerfulness in doing so.

“The last week he was in the hospital, as he was passing away, he was telling the people form the Mingo fire department: ‘Make sure you take care of the Jefferson County Fair.’ He wasn’t worried about Larry. We was worried to make sure we had help.”

Members of Mosti’s family and other local firefighters and EMS personnel stood by the stage and cut the ribbon to officially open the parade.

Afterward, the 2024 Junior Fair royalty were crowned, including Prince Connor Best, Princess Leila Sudvary, King Caleb Miller and Queen Alayna Starr. Members of the Queen’s Court included Madison Zeroski, Lindsey Best, Aubrey Duggan, Carly Long and Hannah Randolph.

Following was the Star Search talent show, which featured Jefferson County youth, displaying their skills in everything from musical acts to magic.