ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Members of the Belmont County Junior Fair Board and Fair Board visited the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to report on old favorites and new attractions visitors can expect at the fair this year.

The Belmont County Fair is set to start on Labor Day, Sept. 5, and continue through Sept. 11.

The crowing of the fair royalty will be held during the grand opening on Labor Day. The full fair’s rides and other attractions will begin Sept. 7, but Sept. 5-6 will be limited to Junior Fair events.

“We’re glad to see that this again is back to normal,” Commissioner Josh Meyer said. “We have a tremendous fair in Belmont County.”

“The junior fair board are working on bringing new ideas and events to the fairgrounds,” Amber Cawthorne, co-coordinator for the junior fair, said.

Among these is a round hay bale decorating contest from Sept. 1-4.

“That is a new thing, and we’re going to do a mullet contest Sept. 10. … With mullets being very popular in Belmont County right now, we just wanted a way to get more people interactive with the fair.”

Cawthorne thanked the Hickenbottom family for donating the hay bales.

She said junior fair board members hold meetings at 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at the Wise Building at the Belmont County Fairgrounds and are active in planning the events all year round.

“We have about 47 members on the junior fair board this year,” she said. “It’s the kids that run all the livestock shows down in the barns.”

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the fair was curtailed and only junior fair activities were permitted. This year there are no restrictions.

“The fair will be back to 100 percent, all vendors, entertainment, it won’t be just a junior fair,” she said. “The kids are excited to have another full fair. … Families are excited to be back into the swing of things.”

Junior fair board members also spoke about regular events such as showing animals as well as crafts and “still” projects. They added that they hope the activities will attract participation from the whole community.

Among the guests at the commissioners’ office were county officials including Port Authority Director Larry Merry, who said fair participants were developing leadership skills that will be invaluable through their lives.

“The skills that I learned at the fair and through those programs I use more than any type of education that I have,” Merry said, adding that for those youths who do not live in a rural area, participating in skill competitions is another option. “The life skills that you’re gaining will follow you for the rest of your life. … To me, it is a week-long countywide celebration of the good things that happen in the county.”

Merry also commended the generous donations from local families.

Fair board member David Jones spoke about improvements to the grounds, including a 120-foot addition to the open feed barn for more animals.

Fair board Treasurer Malissa Campbell elaborated afterwards.

“We’re really excited. We had some new buildings erected on the fairgrounds,” she said.

She mentioned the new command center for the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office is nearly complete.

“The sheriff’s office will be able to work directly out of there. They’re going to do some informational things on site as well,” she said.

Another addition is a 60- by 80-foot commercial building with restrooms and new offices.

“It’s going to be right inside the main gate,” Campbell said. “It will be the first building you see after the administration office. It is going to be the Collins Family Commercial Building. … They’re longtime fair supporters, very deep roots in the community.”

The building will house commercial displays.

“I think that’ll be a plus,” Jones said.

An asphalt path from the midway to the motor sports area has also been installed for easier walking.

Fair-goers can also expect some new entertainment.

“Monster trucks have been added for Thursday, that’s something we haven’t had for awhile,” Campbell said.

She added that old favorites such as the All American Petting Zoo and pig races will be making a return as well.

More information can be found at belmontcountyfair.org.