Preble County gears up for vehicle-friendly fair


What: 2012 Preble County Fair

When: July 28 to August 4

Where: Preble County Fairgrounds, 722 South Franklin Street, Eaton

How much: $6 general admission, $20 weekly pass

Phone: 937-456-3748

Website: http://www.preblecountyfair.org

Schedule highlights:

July 28

11:30 a.m. – Parade begins at Eaton Middle School

7 p.m. - Demolition Derby - Admission: Grandstands - $6.00/personInfield - $10.00/person

July 29 - Veteran’s Day (Veteran’s & One Guest Admitted for Free)

5 p.m. - Ohio Colts Stake Racing– Free Grandstand Admission

July 30

8 p.m. - Bulls & Barrels Triple H Rodeo (Kids Games during Intermission) – Admission – Grandstands $5

8 p.m. – Preble County Idol Semi Finals – Rest Tent

July 31

7 p.m. - Truck & Tractor Pulls - Admission: Grandstands – Non-perishable food item or $Monetary$ DonationInfield - $5.00/person

August 2

5:30 p.m. Stock Antique Tractors Truck & Tractor Pulls

7 p.m. All other Classes Truck & Tractor Pulls

Admission: Grandstands $6.00 /person Infield: $10/person (may be standing room only for infield)

August 3

7 p.m. - Tug-A-Truck– Admission: Grandstands $5/personInfield: $10/person (may be standing room only for infield)

August 4

7 p.m. - Demolition Derby – Admission: Grandstands $6/personInfield: $10/person (may be standing room only for infield)

To Dwight Grimme, fair manager of the Preble County Fair, this year’s fair will be a chance for old friends to meet again and for the community to give back.

“It’s an opportunity for people to come out to see one another that they haven’t seen for awhile,” Grimme said.

The fair will feature a large number of vehicle-centered activities stemming from popularity. Three truck and tractor pulls events will take place, including the Preble County Smoke Out which is a fundraiser for the fair. It will also feature two demolition derbies on the two Saturday nights the fair is being held, Grimme said.

Thousands in prize money await the vistors, with bonuses going to those who win multiple events

With all the people coming out, the fair is continuing a program where it gives back, Grimme said. On July 31, the fair will allow attendees to get into the grandstands during the tractor pull for free if they give a food or monetary donation that benefits the county.

“That’s been successful in the past two years we’ve had it, and I don’t see it being any different this year.” Grimme said.

In addition to the many vehicle shows, Grimme said the fair’s traditional activites will still be a draw.

“All the junior fair shows, whether it be the livestock or the back end, whatever it might be. Those are big,” Grimme said.

The fair will also feature plenty of food, rides, and livestock exhibits. Even better for those who don’t like the heat, Preble County’s fair has been cooler than other fairs, which saw significant drops in attendance last year thanks to high temperatures.

“We were affected somewhat last year, but we didn’t hit super hot like some other folks did, so it wasn’t as bad for us.”

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