Belmont County fair opens with celebration, exhibits
Photo by Shelley Hanson Chloe Ault, 13, of Belmont holds her rabbit Mingo on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Gracelynn Donahue, 11, of Barton holds her egg-laying chicken Vinny on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. She is accompanied by her brother, Jaxen Burdine, 8, and father Robert Burdine. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Centerville resident Roy Corbett, at left, and Jim Hamilton of Barnesville pose with Corbett's 1952 Sheppard diesel tractor, owned by his daughter Dorothy Crum, on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. Corbett said the tractor was purchased and used by his grandfather for many years. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Local veterans and members of the American Legion Post 159 participate in the raising of the American flag during the opening ceremony of the Belmont County Fair on Monday. Several other dignitaries attended as well. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Artwork by community members is shown Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson A handpainted ceramic haunted house made by a community member is on display Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Chloe Ault, 13, of Belmont holds her rabbit Mingo on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Gracelynn Donahue, 11, of Barton holds her egg-laying chicken Vinny on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. She is accompanied by her brother, Jaxen Burdine, 8, and father Robert Burdine. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Centerville resident Roy Corbett, at left, and Jim Hamilton of Barnesville pose with Corbett's 1952 Sheppard diesel tractor, owned by his daughter Dorothy Crum, on Monday at the Belmont County Fair. Corbett said the tractor was purchased and used by his grandfather for many years. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Local veterans and members of the American Legion Post 159 participate in the raising of the American flag during the opening ceremony of the Belmont County Fair on Monday. Several other dignitaries attended as well. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson Artwork by community members is shown Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
Photo by Shelley Hanson A handpainted ceramic haunted house made by a community member is on display Monday at the Belmont County Fair. The fair continues today through Sunday.
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Fair, featuring live entertainment, livestock exhibits, carnival rides and more, is underway at the fairgrounds on Roscoe Road in St. Clairsville.
The fair kicked off Monday with an opening ceremony featuring members of American Legion Post 159 conducting a flag-raising. Local dignitaries were in attendance along with fair board members and County Commissioners Jerry Echemann, J.P. Dutton and Vince Gianangeli.
Fair Board President Ed Campbell thanked everyone for attending and for their work to make the fair happen each year.
He also prayed over the event and its participants.
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the time we get to spend together today, to celebrate the opening of our fair, to celebrate the achievements of our youth. And Lord, we would like to thank you for each and everyone that has come out to be with us," he said. "Today we ask that you be with our fair board; watch over each one as we go through the sleepless nights and fast pace to keep everything running."
Campbell also prayed for good weather and asked God to watch over the children.
"We thank you for our military that protects our freedom every day so we can be here doing what we are," Campbell said. "We ask that you watch over and protect them and bring them home safely to their families."
People were also busy getting their exhibits and animals to the fairgrounds, while others tended to their animals, including Chloe Ault, 13, of Belmont, who brought her rabbit, Mingo, and Gracelynn Donahue, 11, of Barton, who brought her egg-laying chicken, Vinny. She and Vinny had help from her brother, Jaxen Burdine, 8.
Meanwhile, Centerville resident Roy Corbett and Jim Hamilton of Barnesville were watching over the antique tractor exhibit. Corbett's 1952 Sheppard diesel tractor, now owned by his daughter, Dorothy Crum, is on display. Corbett said the tractor was purchased and used by his grandfather for many years.
The fair continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds, 45420 Roscoe Road, St. Clairsville.