FAIR OPENS — The 154th-annual Jefferson County Fair featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Jefferson County Fairground’s Rozsa Pavilion, officially kicking off the event. Grand Marshal Scott Campbell and family were assisted by county officials, fair board members and program participants, including Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr., U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, and fair board President Ray Hilderbrand. -- Julie Stenger

SMITHFIELD — Monday officially welcomed the return of the 154th-annual Jefferson County Fair.

This year’s theme is Stars, Stripes and Starry Nights.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took center stage at the Rozsa Pavilion inside the fairgrounds. Grand Marshal Scott Campbell and family, owner of M&M Hardware in Steubenville, helped cut the ceremonial ribbon. Campbell was joined by fair board members, county officials, state officials, program participants and 4-H officials. On hand were fair board President Ray Hilderbrand, U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, and Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr.

Following the opening ceremony, which included an introduction of area veterans, the annual crowning of the fair queen took place.

The 2025 queen’s court featured four candidates, including Gabby Bodo, Aubrey Duggan, Natalie Lucas and Grace Miller. The winner’s name was revealed by this year’s king, Kamden Kinyo, a student at Buckeye Local High Schoo and member of the Windy Ridge 4-H Club.

ROYALTY — This year’s royalty for the 154th-annual Jefferson County Fair were recognized during Monday’s opening ceremonies at the Rozsa Pavilion. This year’s court includes, from left, Noah Graham, prince; Amelia “Mimi” Ault, princess; Natalie Lucas, queen; and Kamdyn Kinyo, king. -- Julie Stenger

Kinyo finally placed the crown on Lucas, who is an independent exhibitor and former member of the Country Classics 4-H Club.

She is a graduate of Edison High School and a freshman at Wilmington College.

This year’s contest had 17 area students interviewing for the titles of prince and princess.

The choice for prince was Noah Graham, a member of the 4-H Varieties 4-H Club and a home-schooled student. The title of princess went to Amelia “Mimi” Ault, a member of the Broken Fences 4-H Club and student at Edison.

“This year’s fair will be bigger and better than ever before,” stated Debbie Hukill, treasurer of the fair board. “We have some new additions to the fair. Information can be found on our Facebook page and website.”

Hilderbrand has served on the fair board for 31 years. As president, he expressed his appreciation to those involved in helping to complete the small animal barn in time for the fair.

The new barn houses several small animals, including ducks, chickens and rabbits.

Hilderbrand also spoke about the Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show, held Saturday.

“SOULS is a phenomenal thing that Mimi Ault put together,” Hilderbrand commented. “Last year was the first year for the program. And it has grown this year. I mean, to have individuals like this be involved in something they usually wouldn’t be involved with, that is just phenomenal. And since this is a county fair, it is only right that everyone in the county should have access to it.”

SOULS is a collaboration among Jefferson County 4-H, the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Jefferson County Fair board and local school districts.

Exhibitors having intellectual or developmental disabilities were matched with mentors representing 4-H clubs and FFA organizations.

This is the second year for SOULS, with Ault spearheading the program both years.

This year’s youth mentors assisting with the SOULS program included: Ryker Seditz, Blair Allison, Connor Best and Molly King, swine; Leila Sudvary, Ethan Warren, Madelynn Farmery, Madison Taylor and Noah Graham, goats; and Autumn Grafton, Olivia Dudley, Josie Profitt and Delia Wetherell, rabbits.

Allison Bell is the senior fair assistant who helps the fair board with its social media postings.

Bell stated she adds reminders on Facebook of upcoming events and believes the most popular activities are the cheerleading competition, set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the north field, and the rodeo, which this year features Bulls and Barrells sheep riding at 6 p.m. today in the grandstands.

The junior fair shows have great turnouts, she noted. She believes the biggest crowd is the one which gathers Saturday for the sale of animals.

Angie Allison is the 4-H youth development educator for the Ohio State University Extension office.

She explained she has served in this role for the past seven years and absolutely loves it.

“It is a great position and I work with fantastic youth,” she said.

Allison noted those involved in 4-H, FFA and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have their projects on display and she is hoping those attending will be able to view all of the projects, because each and every boy and girl has put their heart and hard work into what they do.

This year, the 4-H program has 600 members, Allison noted. She stated there are approximately 400 members between the ages of 9 and 18; around 100 members between 5 and 8, known as Cloverbuds; and about 100 adult volunteers. Once one is more than 18, they can serve as an adult volunteer, which many former members have, she said.

Allison stressed the importance of the public being aware that this event is a partnership among wonderful groups of people.

“The Jefferson County Fair is put together by the Jefferson County Fair Board,” she exclaimed. “The Junior Fair Shows are operated by the Junior Fair Board and the Junior Fair Board coordinator.

Allison’s daughter, Blair, knows firsthand all of the hard work that goes into competing and raising animals. The Wintersville resident has been a member of the Wildwood Critters 4-H Club for 10 years, seven of which she has shown pigs. She has won various awards, including fifth overall and two reserve champions.

“I have made a lot of friends from 4-H,” Blair commented. “I’ve met people from all over the country at county fairs and at the Ohio State Fair, where I have done shows as well.”

Blair will be showing two of her six pigs, Bullseye and Boss, on Wednesday, hoping to receive the title of grand champion.

She explained she gets up at 7 a.m. and goes to visit her pigs and feed them. While they are eating, she cleans their pens. Once they have eaten, she sprays them off and takes each on a 25-minute walk. At six pigs, it is a lot of walking every morning. Following the walk, she gives them a treat and bathes them, if needed. She visits the pigs twice a day. At night, she feeds them again and hoses them off so they stay “nice and clean.”

Blair knows the importance of taking care of her pets she shows, which is why she volunteered to be a sponsor of an exhibitor in the SOULS stock show. She noted she helped a boy with Down syndrome who was showing a pig. She explained she worked with him for a period of about two hours and he earned second place.

“I just really like helping people,” she said. “Usually we are just helping one student but he asked me if his two friends could come too, so I actually worked with three people.”

Allison noted the swine show is among the biggest draws of the fair on the livestock side. The event will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the livestock Arena, showmanship, followed by the actual show. Grand and reserve champion are usually selected between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The third largest crowd of the fair will be at the beef show, she noted. The event is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Livestock Arena.

Inclusion Night will take place on Wednesday, with the fair hosting 71 individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Activities begin at 2 p.m. They will be given free admission to the fairgrounds and can view 4-H animal exhibits, enjoy rides, eat various fair foods and have fun on the midway.

“It’s building a community of belonging,” stated Cookie West, community relations specialist for JCBDD. “It allows them the opportunity to mix and mingle in the community. We appreciate the open doors and open barns. The individuals we support love experiencing new things in their community.”

The fair is open to everyone, with admission being $15.

Upcoming events include a kids pedal tractor pull, 12:30 p.m. Saturday; a car cruise-in, 3 p.m. Saturday; karaoke, 7 p.m. Saturday; a beautiful baby contest, 1 p.m. Sunday; a demolition derby, 3 p.m. Sunday; and a dance competition, 3 p.m. Sunday.

For a complete list of events, visit thejeffersoncountyfair.com or Jefferson County Fair Official on Facebook.