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LORAIN COUNTY
AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022
Submit items to news@LCnewspapers.com
Volume 9, Issue 33
Fair returns with Clydesdales, big acts JASON HAWK EDITOR
Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise
Country recording artist and Wellington native Ava Rowland performs a free concert at the 2021 fair.
IF YOU GO
WELLINGTON — “Budweiser” and “Clydesdales.” Those are the two words on everyone’s lips when talking about the 176th Lorain County Fair, which runs from Sunday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 28. “They’re iconic, something people want to see. When you think about draft horses, that’s what people think of,” said fair board President Rick Ternes. The horses, which have been used in Anheuser-Busch’s marketing for 89 years, are scheduled to visit the fairgrounds from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25. They’re generating a tremendous buzz for that day, which
WHERE: 23000 Fairgrounds Rd., Wellington WHEN: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 21-28 PARKING: Free ADMISSION: $6 (free for kids ages 8 and under) SEASON MEMBERSHIP: $30 for seven entries to the fair also offers free admission for seniors ages 65 and up as well as veterans and military personnel with ID. With that excitement building, preparations are underway to spruce up the grounds for what has historically been Ohio’s second-largest fair. Ternes said workers are adding new lighting in the parking lot
and making minor fixes to doors and gutters so everything looks perfect when the gates open at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. An opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. that day with the raising of the flag, music by the 4-H Band and crowning of the Junior Fair king and queen. Bigger-name musical acts will return to the grandstand this year, Ternes said. Struggling with finances in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair presented a Journey tribute band and rodeo in lieu of bigger headliners. This year, country-pop singer Russell Dickerson will play the main stage at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22 and 1980s power ballad band RETURNS PAGE A3
Circus, thrills and fun JASON HAWK EDITOR
Thomas Fetcenko | Wellington Enterprise
WELLINGTON — From clowns to thrilling rides, small-stage bands, gem mining, the always-popular kiddie pedal pull and of course food, the Lorain County Fair has it all this year. “We’re looking for a full fair. We have a really good week planned, all kinds of fun stuff,” said Kim Meyers, who is in charge of rides and concessions. The Cincinnati Circus will provide jugglers, magicians and acrobatics in its free thrill show. It will run at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. daily during fair week on the west side of the grounds, near Gate 3. Michael’s Amusements of North Carolina will provide rides. Meyers said there will 20 to choose THRILLS PAGE A3
Fans and crew alike give a big cheer as drivers compete in the NTPA Grand National Pull during the 2021 fair. Classifieds, legals, display advertising, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-329-7000 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday
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News staff Jason Hawk news@LCnewspapers.com Phone: 440-329-7122 Submit news to news@lcnewspapers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. Tuesday Send obituaries to obits@chroniclet.com
Plans revealed for $8M expo center DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM
Lorain County Fair Board representatives went to the Lorain County Board of Commissioners last week to share their $8 million plan to build new facilities at the fairgrounds in Wellington. After giving their vision, they asked commissioners to pitch in up to $1.5 million to help build the facilities.
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"just one week a year," he said. Fair board member Jed Lamb said the fair's mission is "to enhance Lorain County through an annual celebration promoting agriculture, education, entertainment, and to encourage positive youth development and leadership skills." The 176th fair is Aug. 21-28. The Senior Fair was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and lost $1.5 million, but the Junior Fair and youth projects
were held in a modified way, costing $600,000. The state of Ohio chipped in $100,000 and the Board of Commissioners another $200,000 last year. Revenue also was lost from weddings, events and fundraisers typically held at the fairgrounds that were canceled due to the pandemic. The fair typically draws 120,000 people from across the country to the fair, EXPO PAGE A3
INSIDE THIS WEEK
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Republican Commissioners David Moore and Michelle Hung did not immediately commit any financial support. Democratic Commissioner Matt Lundy was absent due to illness. Fred Pitts, a third-generation fair board member and Wellington Township trustee, told the board the fair needs a year-round facility to host events to help keep the fair up and running. Fairs can't survive on
Amherst
Oberlin
Special
Marching Comets staging spy-themed show • B1
College president meets with VP Harris in Washington • B1
Schools across county start charging for meals • B1
OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CROSSWORD B2 • SUDOKU B2 • KID SCOOP B6