Trending
SMITHFIELD -- Fair week officially kicks off Monday in Jefferson County, though several pre-opening activities are on tap over the weekend.
The fair, now in its 155th year, brings a full week of live music, livestock shows, dance and cheerleading competitions, tractor pulls, a "Baby Beautiful" competition and more to the Jefferson County fairgrounds at Friendship Park, 1505 Friendship Park Road, Smithfield.
"We're all pretty excited about it," Secretary Crystal Conaway said Tuesday. "We're joining with everyone else and celebrating 250 years of American freedom. We have some extra events, red, white and blue-themed events.
"We're also excited about our brand-new show barn and sale arena. We've needed it a long time. It gives us a lot more space -- everyone comes to the shows to watch their kids with their animals, this gives us a better place to do it."
The new show barn/sale arena was funded by a private benefactor whose identity won't be revealed until Monday's opening ceremonies.
"It's a beautiful building, it's up to date," Conaway said. "There was no ventilation in the old building -- this one has giant fans, we think it will be a more comfortable experience for everyone."
The beef barn also was renovated, she said.
Conaway said there are a number of pre-opening day things to do at the fairgrounds, all of them free.
"We have shows and different things that happen before (opening day) and you don't have to pay to get in," she said. "Some food trailers will be open but no rides (until Tuesday afternoon)."
One of the most endearing is the Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show, or SOULS, created by Amelia "Mimi" Ault so young people with developmental disabilities can enjoy the fair experience. The program partners children with disabilities with 4-H mentors and their small animals -- rabbits, pigs and even goats.
The program, which enjoys widespread support from fair board members, the extension service and volunteers, starts with an afternoon clinic where the SOULS participants meet the animals and are paired with a 4-H mentor who teaches them the basics about working with them. It ends in the Livestock Arena with SOULS participants getting to experience what 4-H life is about.
This year's SOULS show will begin at noon Saturday and admission is free.
"Their smiles are so big, they love it," Conaway said. "They get to show off what they learned, which they love, and their 4-H mentors like to teach them the skills they've been practicing all those years. We have adults who help as mentors as well. It's just an inclusive program and it's neat to see from start to finish."
There also will be an Antique & Farm Stock Pull Saturday at 4 p.m., while opening ceremonies are set for Monday at 5 p.m. at Rozsa Pavilion, followed by the coronation of Junior Fair Royalty. Glori Dam also will perform.
Like the SOULS show, admission to Saturday's farm stock pull and opening ceremonies is free.
Paid admissions start Tuesday. The fairgrounds open at 8 a.m., though the rides -- provided by Lisko Amusements -- won't start until 2 p.m.
Rides will operate from 2 p.m. to closing Tuesday through Friday and from noon to closing Saturday and Sunday.
Other activities include:
Grandstands: Antique & Farm Stock Pulls (6 p.m. Tuesday); Off-road Barrel Racing (6 p.m. Aug. 19); CS Pulling Promotions (7 p.m. Aug. 21); Grabits Short Course Racing (3 p.m. Aug. 22); and Demolition Derby (3 p.m. Aug. 23).
North Field: Cheer Competition (6 p.m. Aug. 20); Car Cruise-In (3 p.m. Aug. 22); and Kids Pedal Tractor Pull (12:30 p.m. Aug. 22).
Rozsa Pavilion: Buckeye State Pedal Tractor Pulls (6 p.m. Aug. 21); Baby Beautiful Contest (1 p.m. Aug. 23); and Dance Competition (3 p.m. Sunday).
Wednesday is Inclusion Day for individuals with developmental disabilities. There's also plenty of musical entertainment on the schedule, including Ron Retzer and Celebrating 250 Years of American Freedom (both Tuesday); Evan Conn and Carl Besece (both Aug. 19); Brother Randal & Friends Bluegrass Band (Aug. 20); and the Bucket List Band (Aug. 21), all at Rozsa Pavilion.
The 2026 Jefferson County Fair runs through Aug. 23.