ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The 2009 Belmont County Fair kicked off Wednesday with a lot of mixed feelings for those involved as they move along with the final fair at its current venue before its scheduled move to the new fairgrounds on Roscoe Road in 2010.

Jerry Campbell, president of the Belmont County Fair Board, said he’s been a part of the Belmont County Fair since he was 9-years-old, making this his 31st year at the current location.

“It’s going to be really tough leaving here,” Campbell said. “I’ve spent every September here, so going from these grounds to the new grounds is going to be a big step for us and a huge accomplishment. There is going to be some good things to it, there is going to be some bad things to it, but I really appreciate everyone being here and making the fair what it is.”

Fair Board member Dave Jones acted as the master of ceremonies for the opening event held near the fair’s main gate.

After introducing many of the dignitaries in attendance and thank those involved, he then gave an update on the progress being made at the new fairgrounds.

Already on the 160-acre site are four buildings with a fifth that should be up within the next 30 days he said.

“We are in need of a lot of things out there . . .” Jones said. “We have everything out there that would make this the greatest fairgrounds in the state of Ohio. The only thing we don’t have is money. That’s the one thing we don’t have.”

He also said that one of the goals is to utilize the new location not just for six days out of the year, but for 365 days a year.

“We’re moving along,” Jones said. “We are building things that we can use throughout the year and for different activities.”

A model of the new site is on display in the Horticulture building at the fair.

Events for today started at 9 a.m. with the Junior Fair Llama Show, followed by the Open Class Beef Show.

At 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., there will be an Oglebay Good Zoo animal presentation at the main gate. The Junior Fair Livestock sale will take place at 4 p.m. at the show arena. Blue Grass Express will perform at the main gate at 5:30 p.m. and Katie Orlofske will perform at the Grandstand starting at 7:30 p.m.

Mechanical rides will be open today from 5 until 10 p.m.

Schuler can be reached at shoe@timesleaderonline.com.