How to go
WHAT: 163rd Preble County Fair
WHERE: 722 South Franklin Street (Ohio 122) Eaton
WHEN: July 27 – Aug. 3, gates open 7 a.m. daily
GATE ADMISSION: $6 (7 & under free), free parking
VETERANS DAY: Saturday, July 27, all veterans and one guest get in free; honoring veterans at 11:30 a.m. in front of grandstand.
PREBLE COUNTY GIVE-BACK: Tuesday, July 30, free grandstand admission into Truck & Tractor pull with monetary donation or non-perishable food item for the Preble County Food Bank
SENIOR CITIZEN DAY: Wednesday, July 31, free admission 65 & older.
PASS: $25 for weekly admission pass
There’s something for everyone at the 2013 Preble County Fair, including the Grand Fair Parade, which ends at noon Saturday at the grandstand.
The fair also features livestock, horse racing, demolition derby, amusement rides, pie and cake auction, tractor and truck pull and more.
The Ohio Department of Agricultural will recognize six Preble County bicentennial farms at 9 a.m. Saturday, prior to the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale in the Expo Building.
Musician/songwriter and Nashville star Kate Hastings will perform with her band in front of the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Hastings was raised on a family farm outside New Carlisle. After much hard work, she organized the Kate Hastings band that recently released its new EP, “Country Music.” It was recorded with Grammy-winning Nashville producer Chad Carlson.
After the concert, the Central States Rodeo begins at 8 p.m. Also at 8 Monday night, in the Rest Tent, is the Preble County Idol Semifinals.
The Preble County Historical Society has exhibits in the Produce Building.
The Fine Art Exhibit show will be inside the Flower Building at 2 p.m. Saturday after the “People’s Choice” judging. Weather permitting, artists will work on-site at various times, in and around the Flower Building.
“Our local artists are quite accomplished; we have a lot of original art locally,” said Patty Emerson, committee coordinator for the Preble County Art Association, which is working with the Preble County Fair on the Fine Art Exhibit and Show. She is vice-president of the Preble County Art Association.
Artwork will be judged by Dayton artist Donna Brinkman. Categories are School Age Children, Adults, Amateurs, Seniors, and Nursing Home Residents, and Developmentally Disabled.
Rosettes and cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, first runner-up and second runner-up. A ribbon will be awarded for best senior/nursing home resident and best developmentally disabled entrant.
One of several artists who will have his art displayed at this event is Phillip Erbaugh of Brookville. He has pursued his art since he retired from General Motors in 2008 and has been entering art in various shows the last two years.
At this year’s Preble County Fair, Erbaugh has entered landscapes: two oils, two watercolors and two drawings.
As a youth, he began his interest in art at Brookville school. He went to Manchester (Ind.) College and earned a degree in art education. Then he went to Wright State University and got degrees in drawing and painting.
He is currently an exhibiting artist at Studio 14, Benkin Gallery of Fine Art, Tipp City. He has had his art displayed numerous places, including an oil painting of Bryce Canyon at the ViewPoint 45 national show awards in the Cincinnati Art Galleries.
Erbaugh has received many awards at the Preble County and Darke County fairs.
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