T-L File Photo Jada Clark, from left, of Lamira, C.C. Brocklehurst of Warnock and Erica Falcone of Centerville join in coloring at a past Belmont County Fair.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Fair soon will invite everyone to celebrate its 176 years as a marquee event in the county.

The fair kicks off Sept. 1 and concludes Sept. 7.

Belmont County Fair Board President Ed Campbell said this year’s opening ceremony will include a surprise announcement that he believes will greatly impact the fair. The opening ceremony is scheduled for noon Sept. 1 and will begin with the raising of the United States flag. Following the flag-raising, Campbell is slated to make the announcement. He has remained tight-lipped about it so far.

“We’ve got some big announcements to make at the opening ceremony, which I’m not at liberty to divulge right now,” he said. “It’s something that’s going to help the fairgrounds out, I do believe, and is going to be really good for the community.”

Campbell said this year will also see the inclusion of a new unnamed building between the fair’s midway and livestock barns. The new building will be a place where the people will be able to display their animals.

The Belmont County Fair has been a community staple for nearly two centuries. Campbell believes it plays such an important part in the community because it’s all about children and youth. It’s a great educational experience where attendees can learn about agriculture, and it provides fun for people of all ages with its rides, games, food, live music and various events, he added.

Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton believes the fair is a tremendous event in many ways.

“Especially for all of the youth in Belmont County to participate in the fair, whether through 4-H programs or other programs, it just has a huge impact on all those individuals,” Dutton said. “We’re just so proud of what the fair has become.”

He added that for roughly 15 years, the fairgrounds have expanded annually. This year is no exception with the new building set to open.

“We routinely have individuals visit our fairgrounds from other parts of the state, particularly from Columbus, and they just can’t believe that our fairgrounds is as recent as it is and just how great the grounds look,” Dutton said. “I think there’s a lot to be proud of.”

While the fair officially begins Sept. 1, rides will start operating at 5 p.m. Sept. 3.

This year will see the inaugural inclusion of the Steamers Thrill Show. The show will include a wheel of danger, hula hoops, balancing ​chairs, rolla bolla, aerial act and performing dogs.

The thrill show will have afternoon and evening shows each day starting Sept. 3.

Campbell said the fair will also see the return of the Mobile Dairy Classroom, a dairy trailer that educates the public on where its food comes from and how it’s made, as well as the milking process. Starting Sept. 3, the classroom will offer multiple shows each day.

The fan favorite demolition derby will delight spectators at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at the motorsports arena.

General admission is $5 on Tuesday and $15 on Wednesday-Sunday. A “season pass” for the entire fair is $40 but does not include rides, which is an additional $6 per day.

Rides will operate from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 4-10 p.m. Friday, from noon to 5 p.m. and 6-11 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information for the Belmont County Fair, visit Belmontcountyfair.org.