T-L Photos/CARRI GRAHAM Bristol Tipton, 11, and her mom, Ashley Stine, groom goats, Ranch and Rose, before the Jr. Fair Goat Show.

CADIZ — The 174th Harrison County Fair is underway with food, amusement rides, animal showings, truck pulls, demolition derby and more.

Fair Vice President Rich Eberhart said everything has been great so far at the fair which began Monday.

He said attendance has been in line with previous years, with the exception of last year which had a limited program due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said they are expecting a good weekend with many in attendance so as long as the weather holds out.

Eberhart said people seem to be enjoying the fair’s array of remodels that it was able to undertake this year thanks to grant funding opportunities.

He said the commercial building’s interior was remodeled, the restrooms were redone and a new horse arena was constructed.

“We keep planning for more in the future,” he added.

On Thursday afternoon, attendees gathered around watching the various animal showings while children involved in 4-H groups prepared their animals.

Bristol Tipton, 11, was busy grooming her goats, Ranch and Rose, prior to the start of the Jr. Fair Goat Show.

Tipton has been showing her goats for the past 4 years at the fair and said she loves every minute of it.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she added.

Mckynze Bryant, 11, was also preparing her goat, Laverne, for the goat show. She said this year marks her third year participating at the fair.

“I really like goats and learning more about them,” she said.

Behind the animal barns, is the brand new horse arena where around a dozen young equestrians set atop their horses ready to enter the horse show.

Jessie Birney, a parent of a girl involved in the 4-H horse program, said this is the first year for the new arena which is now in a more accessible area. It was previously located at the grandstand, near the derby area of the fairgrounds.

“The atmosphere is really great here in the new arena. There’s a good breeze, it’s quiet, and we also have access to things we didn’t have before like food and bathrooms,” she said.

Birney said the kids are really enjoying the new location as it makes them feel like they’re more a part of the fair.

Eberhart said the horse show garnered its biggest crowd yet due to the new location of the arena.

This time next year, organizers hope to have a new barn constructed along with a separate shower house and announcer station. Birney said they are working to raise funds for the new facilities so the kids can have an area to house their horses.

“It would help us tremendously,” she said.

At this year’s fair, the horse show only went on one day because of this very reason — a lack of space to house the animals. Birney said they are hoping to have the new facility built in time for next year’s fair. The two buildings, which will be stationed next to the arena, are estimated to cost between $350,000-$400,000, depending on the pricing for materials.

Anyone interested in donating to the Harrison County Agricultural Society barn project can visit www.givebutter.com/horsebarn or mail checks to the society at P.O. Box 274, Cadiz.

Also at the fair this year are amusement rides, a variety of food vendors, games and a truck and tractor pull area. The fair continues through Saturday with a range of activities. The remaining days’ lineup includes:

Today:

∫ 8:30 a.m. — Jr. Fair Companion Animal Show;

∫ 10 a.m. — Buckeye Horse Pullers;

∫ 1 p.m. — Jr. Fair Livestock Sale;

∫ 6 p.m. — Demolition Derby.

Saturday:

∫ 9 a.m. — Farm Stock Tractor Pull;

∫ 11 a.m. — Library Day;

∫ 1 p.m. — Cowboy Mounted Shooting;

∫ 2-5 p.m. — Jeff Roscoe, woodcarver;

∫ 3 p.m. — Pee Wee Showmanship;

∫ 4 p.m. — Supreme Showmanship;

∫ 6 p.m. — Truck and Tractor pull;

∫ 8:30 p.m. — Square dance at Birney Barn.

The fair is located at the fairgrounds at 550 Grant St., Cadiz.