STEUBENVILLE — The kickoff of the 2025 Jefferson County Fair is just days away, with a full week of live music, livestock shows, dance and cheerleading competitions, tractor pulls and more on tap for the weeklong event.

Opening ceremonies are set for 5 p.m. Aug. 11, though there’ll be events and activities beginning Friday evening and continuing right up to the official opening.

Debbie Hukill, treasurer, said it’s a wonderful time of year — and event — especially for all the young 4-H’ers who’ve worked all year for the chance to show friends, family and the public at large all they’ve accomplished.

“I think it’s seeing all of the youth projects coming to fruition for these kids,” Hukill said. “They’ve worked all year, and this is where they come to be with their friends and also show off what they’ve done.”

Hukill said the kids work hard all year long.

“A lot of the projects go from November clear to August, some are a little shorter, but they’re all investing a lot of time, energy and money in it,” she said. “You can tell, the bond is strong. It’s good to see youths devoting time to something other than a computer.”

She said a highlight of the fair lead-up is SOULS — their Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show — Aug. 9 in the livestock arena

“Mimi Ault was the founder in this county, she found out about the program,” Hukill said. “Kids show up around noon, they’re already set up with mentors — our kids who show goats are going to show the Special Olympians what to do, they’ll work with them throughout the day and show them what to do.”

Later in the day, around 5 p.m., she said the Special Olympians get to strut their stuff.

“It’s a really great project,” she said. “And people can come watch — there’s no charge to get in that day. They can come and walk around, see what all (we’ll have.)”

This year, they’ll be selling special shirts that visitors can buy, with the proceeds going for the awards. “There’s also going to be a (SOULS) king and queen. It really is special.”

Hukill said they won’t start charging admission until Aug. 12. That means a host of activities — including the Aug. 8 Cloverbud program, the Aug. 10 open horse show and Aug. 11’s junior dog show, opening ceremony, junior fair royalty coronation and talent show — are all free to see.

She said there’s going to be plenty to do and see all week for the younger crowd all the way up to seniors.

“If you look at our schedule, we have reoccurring entertainment all day for kids,” she said. “We have a magician who’s been here a long time, kids love him, and he’ll do three or four shows a day. Team Zoom acting dogs will be here — they do all kinds of maneuvers and entertain (the crowd), and there’s a balloon guy. We have entertainment for all ages.”

Team Zoom, the Funny Balloon Guy and Mr. Puppet perform daily, and there’s also a kid’s pedal tractor pull and a kid’s battery-operated car course on Aug. 16

She said they’ve added an adult cornhole tournament to the lineup for Aug. 16. Teams of two can register that day, Hukill said, adding there’s a $5 entry fee “paying 100 percent back.” It will be held on the concrete pad used for the cheerleading competition last year.

There also will be live entertainment throughout the week, including performances by Ron Retzer, Glory Dami, the Kevin Wells Band, the Bucket List Band, Brother Randall & Friends Bluegrass Band, and local favorite, Evan Conn.

The midway, featuring Lisko Amusements, will be open from 2 p.m. through closing Aug. 12-15, and noon to closing Aug. 16-17.

Among the other activities on tap: Antique and farm stock pull, Aug. 9; bulls and barrells and sheep riding, Aug. 12; the cheerleading competition, Aug. 14; Buckeye State Pedal Tractor Pulls, Aug. 15; a car cruise, karaoke, Grabits short-course racing and the grand parade Aug. 16; and a non-denominational worship service, baby beautiful contest, demolition derby and dance competition on Aug. 17.

Hukill said the fair typically draws about 30,000 visitors.

“We cannot complain about attendance,” she said. “This county, and other counties around us, all support this fair. I’ve got to believe it’s because they love the county and they love these fairs. It’s a good thing to see.”

Admission is $15, which includes rides and entertainment. Kids up to 24 months are admitted free, as are seniors 70 and older with rides not included. Seniors must show proof of age. If you have a Golden Buckeye Card you’ll be admitted free Aug. 12, while veterans with a proper ID will be admitted free on Aug. 16 only.