These finishing touches are happening at the new Montgomery County fairgrounds as its first fair nears

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The Montgomery County Fair is set to begin Monday at its new home at Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Township, but officials say a few things still need to be done before the formal unveiling.

County Auditor Karl Keith and his team this week certified the scales that will be used to weigh the livestock. This process goes on every year, but placing the official seal on the scale this year at the new venue had its perks, Keith said.

“In order for the fair to be fair, we must have fair scales,” he said. “It’s nice to be in a new facility where the floors are level and the floors are clean.”

The room and cages that the scales are in will soon be filled with 4-H animals.

“We’re kind of excited about being in this new building,” said Ohio State University Extension 4-H Education Agent Betty Wingerter.

The new Montgomery County Fairgrounds will be put to use soon for the 2018 Montgomery County Fair. (GABRIELLE ENRIGHT/STAFF PHOTO)

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The fair is seeing the number of 4-H participants increase, Wingerter said.

“Agriculture is alive and well in Montgomery County,” she said.

The fairgrounds have a lot of new things, for certain, but fair-goers might recognize a few older things. The artwork the board members have place on the pillars used to be on the Main Street location in Dayton.

“If it was in the Roundhouse last year, it’s in here this year,” said Montgomery County Fair Board Member John Friedline.

The new facility is already being reserved for weddings and other events for months past the fair, Friedline said.

“The word is getting out quickly that we’re the new venue in town, and it’s a nice facility,” he said.

The parking and event space at the new fairgrounds is great for any weather condition, organizers said, adding they are ready for people and animals.

Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith observing the certification of the livestock scales at the new Montgomery County Fairgrounds. (GABRIELLE ENRIGHT/STAFF PHOTO)

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“The buildings are built for ventilation, so we’ll have a much cooler fair, even if we have a hot spell,” Friedline said.

The Montgomery County Fair runs from Monday through Sunday, July 15 at its new home, 645 Infirmary Road.

Admission is $10/person and includes admission to grandstand events, plus free parking.

Rides are a separate cost, including a $20 all-day ride wristband.

More information, including the complete schedule of events, is available at the fair's website.

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