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While there’s still a lot of summer left, there are signs all around us that fall is not that far away.
We’re been seeing back-to-school ads from retailers for some time now, and some students will be returning to the classrooms in a matter of days.
Pumpkin-spiced drinks are set to reappear in shops around the country. Dunkin’, for instance, has announced that its Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte and other pumpkin-flavored drinks will return to the menu on Wednesday. If that’s too early for you, you can wait until Aug 25, when Starbucks has announced its fall-themed lineup will arrive.
It’s a long list that includes annual favorites like Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Iced Pumpkin Creamed Chai, as well as newcomers including Iced Pumpikin Cream Shaken Espresso.
When you look at many trees across the Tri-State Area, it seems like the rich, dark green color of their leaves has already started to fade. There’s still plenty of green, but you can tell time is starting to run out.
Maybe one of the surest signs in our area that the summer is winding down happens this week, when the Jefferson County Fair returns to the fairgrounds in Smithfield.
For more than a century and a half, the fair has been a rite of mid-August. as the starting dates for local schools have been moved up, the fair often falls right before classes resume.
This will be the 155th edition, according to this year’s fair book. The theme is an easy one to remember: 250 Years of America’s Freedom.
A look at this year’s fair book also shows that the mission for the annual event remains simple: To be a showplace for the creative skills of people of all ages and a place to see new products and exchange new ideas. The Jefferson County Fair is what it is today because of the dedication and cooperation of the local community, sponsors and fair officials.
All of those words aside, the fair remains a place where area residents -- young and old -- can celebrate heritage, artisanship, craftiness in the kitchen and agricultural expertise. It’s also a place for some old-fashioned fun.
County fairs in general -- and the Jefferson County Fair in particular -- continue to cross generations. They serve as a way to connect what’s good about today with what has been good from past days. In a world where greater emphasis is continually placed on the need for specialization, the county fair continues to offer something for just about everyone to enjoy.
Examples of culinary skills will be display, as residents from around the county offer up their best homemade cookies, pies, breads and other treats for judging. The region’s top canning experts will be named, and the creative skills of young people will be on display.
Entertainment is another important component of the fair: There will be tractor pulls for adults and children, musical performances, off-road barrel racing, a care cruise, karaoke, short course racing, a baby beautiful contest, a dance competition, the grand parade, the annual square dance and a demolition derby among the activities. There also will be the annual livestock sale.
Plus, there will be displays of pride and excitement on the faces of hundreds of young people as they show off their animals and other projects.
Included again this year will be the Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show, which will be held at noon Saturday. Participants will be paired with mentors from 4-H and FFA organizations to show animals in an inclusive event and will receive banners and ribbons. The program is being organized by Edison High School student Amelia “Mimi” Ault with support from Jeffco Services Inc., the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the fair board and Special Olympics Ohio.
And then there’s the midway. It’s a place where you can enjoy the rides, meet friends and, of course, sample another staple of summer: Fair food. No matter where you stand on overall health, midway cuisine remains a guilty pleasure that many people wait all year to experience.
None of it happens without the hard work and dedication of the men and women who volunteer as advisers, counselors and coaches for all of the young people, and to those who serve on the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, including Ray Hilderbrand, president; Gail Rine, vice president; Crystal Conaway, secretary; and Debbie Hukill, treasurer.
While several fair events are happening this weekend, things really get started Monday, when the opening ceremonies are held beginning at 5 p.m. in the Rozsa Pavilion, and all of the activities run through Aug. 22.
County fairs offer fun, camaraderie and excitement. They teach valuable lessons to young people and, for many, they remain a can’t-miss event on planning calendars, where just about everyone can find a lot to enjoy.
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Another sure sign of fall is out annual football edition. You’ll find it included in Wednesday’s edition. As always, it will offer in-depth previews of our area’s high school football teams. The winner of numerous awards in contests conducted by the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors and the West Virginia Press Association, the annual publication is a must-have for every football fan.
Fall, by the way, doesn’t officially arrive until 8:05 p.m. Sept. 22.
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is senior writer at the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)