JEFFERSON - - The week prior to the Ashtabula County Fair is always a bit harried, and Tuesday was no different.
Organizers, volunteers, vendors and exhibitors bustled throughout the fairgrounds Tuesday, getting ready for the fair.
"We're staking out where the vendors will go," said Bob Jones of the fair board, as he worked in the hot noontime sun. "We're counting on hot weather. ... We're putting up rest tents for shade."
The fair opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday with a flag raising in front of the grandstand. This is the 161st edition of the Ashtabula County Fair.
In preparation for the big event, tractor-trailers bearing the name Lisko Amusements arrived Tuesday, hauling thrill rides.
Horses trotted around the race track, preparing for next week's harness racing.
A tractor pulling antique farm machinery drove through the west-end gate before noon, as a steady line of people went in and out of the fair office under the grandstand. That's because Tuesday was the last day for folks to enter their photographs, artwork, canned goods, flowers, crafts, hay and animals in the agricultural fair.
A few country music fans were buying tickets for the Rodney Atkins' concert, set for 8 p.m. Aug. 11 in front of the grandstand.
The fair is a high point of the year for Ashtabula County residents and has been for many generations, Darla Vargo, secretary-treasurer of the fair board, has said.
Potential fair-goers picked up programs and perused next week's schedule of events. Opening day includes a draft-horse class, a fancy poultry show, a miniature-horse show, bicycle decorating and races, a frog-jumping contest for the children, a youth parade and motocross.
National Weather Service forecasters predict fair week will be the hottest week of the summer. But, that doesn't seem to bother Jones.
"Good," he said. "We're putting up rest tents. And it's better than mud."
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BILL WEST
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Getting ready for the fair
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