T-L File Photo/SHELLEY HANSON DURING LAST year’s Belmont County Fair, Dakota Taylor of Morristown holds one of his broiler hens during Junior Fair events. This year’s fair is expected to be a full one.

MARTINS FERRY — At this time last year organizers of craft fairs, concerts and many other public events were forced to cancel their plans because of COVID-19 concerns and related mandates handed down by the state.

Now a year later with virus cases becoming fewer and more people getting vaccinated, people are starting to plan those same events again, setting dates in anticipation of life getting back to normal.

For example, the Blame My Roots Festival is scheduled to occur July 16-17 at the Valley View Campgrounds, 43263 National Road, Belmont. It’s slated to be headlined by a big-name country act — Miranda Lambert. Other musicians scheduled to appear include Lee Brice, Neal McCoy, Jo Dee Messina, Tenille Townes, Niko Moon, Allie Colleen, Adam Doleac and Walker Montgomery.

Meanwhile, other smaller, community-focused events also are being planned. For example, the weekly Ohio Valley Farmers’ Markets are set to kick off on May 15.

The markets are scheduled to be held 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the 32nd Street parking lot in Bellaire, and from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Ohio Valley Mall parking lot in St. Clairsville.

Many crafters and vendors have been waiting for the chance to sell their wares again during upcoming fairs across the valley.

For example, a Spring Crafters/Vendor Fair is scheduled for March 27 at the Martins Ferry Rec Center, Fourth Street, Martins Ferry. It kicks off at 9 a.m. and features a variety of homemade goods and other items to purchase.

Other avenues of entertainment also are opening back up. For example, the Nutting Art Gallery at West Liberty University reopened last week and is showing the work of Rabecca Signoriello.

The exhibition, titled “This is Work,” will remain on display through April 14.

The exhibit is the first public display of art at the WLU facility since COVID-19 concerns closed the campus last spring.

“With the world getting back to normal, we were pleased to get back to in-person gallery openings and enjoyed a reception with the artist this past Wednesday evening. Of course, masks were still necessary, but it was great to be back in business so to speak,” said Brian Fencl, WLU professor of art and gallery director.

Fall events such as the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival also are being planned again. The festival is set for Sept. 23-26. Last year’s festival was canceled due to COVID, but the King Pumpkin Weigh-Off still occurred at an undisclosed location and was broadcast live via Facebook so the public could still enjoy it.

Last year’s Belmont County Fair was slimmed down to Junior Fair events only to avoid attracting large crowds of people. However, this year organizers are looking forward to holding a full fair in September.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said last week that fairs and festivals could be held this year, but with health-related measures still in place — including mask wearing and social distancing. There will also be maximums placed on seating in grandstand areas.

However, DeWine said previously that if the state’s cases drop to 50 per 100,000 people during a two-week period, all COVID-related health mandates would be lifted.