T-L Photos/KAILEY CARPINO Ready Go Dog Show performed Thursday at the Belmont County Fair. The act featured dogs catching frisbees, diving into a pool and jumping over hurdles. John Casey and Nikki Penta are the dog’s owners and performers in the show.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The 174th Belmont County Fair is hosting a variety of new entertainment this year including a frisbee dog show, a pirate-themed acrobatic show, a clown and magic show and a fire safety show.

The Ready Go Dog Show was a fan favorite during Thursday’s activities. During the show, dogs caught frisbees, dove into a pool and jumped over hurdles.

John Casey and Nikki Penta are the dog’s owners and performers in the show.

Casey said that Union Local Elementary School attended the fair on a field trip Thursday morning, and about 300 children got to watch the dog show.

The show featured a 2-year-old pitbull named Churro. Casey said that he was rescued from a house that raised pitbulls for dog fighting rings.

He said that he hopes to break the stigma surrounding pitbulls.

“He is such a sweet dog,” Casey said.

Casey said that the dogs in the show do not receive treats as rewards, but instead get more time to play. He said that he wants the dogs to enjoy what they are doing instead of performing for the sole purpose of receiving treats.

Casey and Penta have been performing in shows all over the country for over 20 years.

“The dog show is my favorite. I had a lot of fun, and the dogs are really cute,” Sydney Patterson, 9, said.

The fair also featured Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean, a show that features daring feats, acrobats and tricks on a high wire by the Sensational Murcia family high wire act.

The performers wear authentic pirate costumes while performing on a pirate ship set. The show features music, lighting and smoke effects.

According to information from the Belmont County Fair, the Sensational Murcia family high wire act has been featured at many events around the world, including performances in Japan, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Jamaica and Bahamas, as well as at various fairs, festivals and amusement parks in the United States.

The Cracker Jack show is performed by Cracker Jack the Clown and will feature balloon twisting, magic, juggling, music, games and comedy for all ages. The show is highly interactive, and those who volunteer to help with the show will receive prizes.

The Firefighter Show is also new to the fair this year. The show teaches people of all ages, especially young children about fire safety. Young fair-goers can volunteer to participate in the show. The show will feature water cannons, simulated fire scenes, a firefighter demonstration, a junior firefighter play area, a smokehouse crawl activity and games.

The Firehouse Show is an organization that performs at fairs across the eastern part of the United States with the goal of educating children on fire safety and what it is like to be a firefighter.

The fair previously hosted the Zerbini Family Circus for many years. Although the circus did not come to town for this year’s fair, fair-goers can enjoy the many new entertainment acts this year.

“They used to have the circus every year, and I was a little disappointed when I didn’t see it on the schedule this year, but they definitely made up for it,” Sandy Robinson from St. Clairsville said.

The fair will run until Sunday.

Friday is Senior Citizen Day, and anyone over the age of 62 with an ID will receive free admission until noon. For more information and to see the fair schedule, visit belmontcountyfair.org or the Belmont County Fair Facebook page.