WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) - The fairgrounds has been part of their community for nearly 175 years — growing from an annual county fair into a year-round gathering place for Auglaize County.
"We're celebrating America's 250th, that's our theme for this year's fair," said Kieran Fetter, general manager of the Auglaize County Fair. "We've been around for 174 of those years, so our history with this county fair in the community is long-standing."
"We started in 1852 and the fair has evolved from location to growing into something beautiful every year," said Jessica Grice, assistant manager and marketing consultant for the Auglaize County Fair. "I think that's what's made it possible for us to be at 174. We've been able to evolve with the community as well as the times, and the traditions, and the community support.".
Of course, at the heart of it all is agriculture. Last year, nearly 2,000 livestock entries were registered, not counting open market shows.
"The identity of the fair first is always livestock, 4-H, and junior fair; we are a rich, cultural livestock place, so that's always the heart of us first," Grice said. "It's just great to give the kids a chance to experience that, to teach them responsibility, and the support is rallied around that massively, without that structure, it also helps the fair succeed."
Fetter says he knows that firsthand. He was a 10-year 4-H member at this very fairground.
"I know that very well, that it was the lessons learned, it was the morals and values instilled at a young age, that, if it wasn't for that experience, I wouldn't be in this office as a fairgrounds manager," Fetter said.
Outside of fair week, the grounds stay busy with community events throughout the year — from wedding receptions and graduation parties to nonprofit events and food drives.
"We want people to recognize that we're more than just the fair, we're a fairgrounds," Grice said. "We'd like to get into that scope a little more so that people realize there are so many different great opportunities to gave things out here."
The Auglaize County Fair runs August 2nd through August 8th this year.
As for why a county fair endures nearly two centuries:
"We're one of the only events that brings corner to corner of the county together- from cradle to grave," said Fetter. "Being able to hold our head high and be one of those only county-wide, age-wide, demographic-wide events that can bring an entire community together... What a blessing for us to be a part of. We're so fortunate."
"We really are the home of the Family Fair," Grice said. "The people in our office are family-oriented, our goal is to make sure the fairgrounds feel that way. We invite anyone to come in this office, have a conversation with us, share your backstory, share your history with is."
The Auglaize County Fair runs August 2nd through August 8th this year.
