The Putnam County Fair publicly unveiled its new event center at Monday's opening ceremonies. Thanks to funding awarded by the Putnam County Commissioners from the American Rescue Plan Act, the fairgrounds have been able to rebuild and combine their former junior fair and merchants buildings into one new event center. The new structure, which was completed in just ten months, brings major quality-of-life improvements for fairgoers, exhibitors, and vendors, and it creates a new way to bring even more money into the fairgrounds.

This year’s fair was the second most attended in all 171 years of putting it on, only selling around 500 less admission tickets than 2019. 

The fairgrounds will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday to enjoy the classic fair food everyone waits all year for. Although the fair is technically over and all the animals have left, the vendors were welcome to stay and hold the spotlight for the remaining days that the fair was scheduled for. Whether you like your treats fried, frozen, or on a stick, the dozen or so vendors at the fairgrounds are ready.

As Ohio's fair season begins, authorities are urging people to use good hygiene to protect themselves from viruses and other illnesses while visiting livestock exhibits.