Belmont County Fair Celebrating 175 Years of Agriculture and Family Fun
The first weekend of September in Belmont County is county fair season! Everyone looks forward to this fun event that brings the community together to celebrate our youth and their agricultural accomplishments. This year’s fair is special as it marks a milestone anniversary. The 175th annual Belmont County Fair starts on Labor Day, Sept. 2, and continues through Sept. 8. Opening ceremonies begin on Sept. 2 at noon. General admission (Wed.-Sunday) is $10 and includes rides and entertainment. Friday is Senior Citizen Day. Those age 62 and older and all veterans are admitted free. ID is required.
The Belmont County Fair has been a family tradition since 1849. Fairgoers can see livestock exhibitions featuring rabbits, cows, horses, goats, chickens, and more. They can indulge in food options such as funnel cakes, fresh-cut fries, lemonade, Italian sausage sandwiches, strombolis, and kettle corn. They can enjoy live entertainment from country to Elvis and Bon Jovi tribute acts, and amusement rides that will give all the thrill seekers something to get excited about.
Kids and adults alike look forward to spending the day, or a week at the fair making new friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Activities include laser tag, a mobile dairy classroom, and a peddle tractor pull. Crowd-pleasing performances include a pirate-themed high-wire act, a rodeo, trick riding, drag racing, truck and tractor pull, and a demolition derby. Other attractions include glass blowing, and a fireworks display
In the last 175 years, the fairgrounds have grown and moved from an area behind the Belmont County Courthouse to a 27-acre lot in downtown St. Clairsville to the current 162-acre site at 45420 Roscoe Road. This site can handle the large crowds that tractor pulls, rodeos and concerts bring and the many families and visitors that come to see the livestock, exhibits, and amusements. It has also allowed for the construction of new buildings and the expansion of county departments such as the OSU-Extension Agency, Belmont County Soil and Water, and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department.
Five special 175th-anniversary crocks created by Luke Johnson of Johnson Family Pottery in Barnesville will be auctioned off during the bake sale, dairy sale, and large and small animal sales. Visit belmontcountyfair.org for sale dates and times.
The Belmont County Agricultural Society hosts our county fair, and working with the Senior and Junior Fair Boards spend countless hours of preparation and planning to operate a successful fair each year. They promote and support agriculture, industry, education, arts, and the youth of Belmont County.
County fairs bring people together to celebrate what is distinct about life in rural America. Thousands flock to the fairgrounds each year, which means countless eyes see the work our youth have put into their projects and entries. The support these children receive for their dedication motivates them to continue to show and pass on the love of the fair to future generations.
For a complete schedule of events, visit https://www.belmontcountyfair.org.
