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ASHLAND — The Ashland County Fair is about to celebrate its dodransbicentennial and everyone is invited to the party.
The Ashland County Fairgrounds will celebrate its 175th birthday — in advance — with a one-day anniversary party Saturday on the grounds at 2042 Claremont Ave.
The event is separate from the annual Ashland County Fair, which runs Sept. 20-26.
Fair board member Cathy Rice said planning for the event took a few years, but the fair’s history goes back much further.
175 years ago
The Ashland County Fair’s history dates back to 1851. The first fair was in Hayesville on Pleasant Street, according to historical information provided by the Ashland County Agricultural Society.
Cleveland Jay Latter purchased 115 acres of farmland at Claremont Avenue and Baney Road in 1913. The current fairgrounds hosted its first county fair Oct. 8-10, 1923. Admission was 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for children and parking was free.
The was no fair from 1930 to 1933, according to historical records. The gap is believed to be related to a polio scare.
Schedule of events for Saturday
The day kicks off with the Claremont Avenue Parade at 10 a.m., followed by food, competitions and food competitions. Admission is free. Food and some activities will cost extra.
- 10 a.m. — Claremont Avenue Parade
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — 4-H club games
- Noon — Hog roast
- 1 p.m. — Fun Center Chordsmen
- 1:30 p.m. — Grandstand fun contest
- 2 p.m. — Abraham Lincoln speech
- 2:30 p.m. — Beard/mustache and hair updo contest
- 3:30 p.m. — Pie-eating contest
- 4 to 7 p.m. — Square dancing and line dancing
The grandstand fun contest includes a women’s skillet throw, a backseat-driver competition and a cornhole tournament.
“The backseat-driver competition pairs participants in a golf cart obstacle course with one person driving blindfolded and another giving directions,” Rice said.
Pie-eating contestants will eat 8-inch cherry or blueberry pies. Participants are required to eat without using their hands. Up to 20 people can participate.
A man portraying President Abraham Lincoln will be at the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will host the beard contest.
Businesses will sell souvenirs with the 175th logo — ceramic crocks made by Tin Can Chandelier and miniature models of the Buckeye Barn, Coliseum and Mozelle Hall made by Cat’s Meow.
Guests can walk through Mozelle Hall before crews demolish it and replace it with a new facility.
Mozelle Hall opened in 1955 as an arts and crafts building before becoming a roller skating rink. Rice said the new building concept has potential for more uses than roller skating. They hope to use it for trade shows, flea markets and rentable space for family reunions or weddings.
“This will probably be the last dinner there. If people want to come see the floor and just reminisce a little bit, they’re more than welcome.”
Again, the celebration is free to attend.
“It just brings people in here,” Rice said. “It celebrates what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve done and shows off their work a little bit.”
