| GRANDSTAND
APPEAL The fairs of 1978 and 1979 were great ones as well. In 1980, our county fair queen, Vicki Francis, also won the title of Miss Ohio State Fair Queen. Good weather was recorded and the attendance records kept climbing upward during 1981 through 1983. In 1984, new items at the fair included the calf scramble, a computer for the livestock sales and a day being declared as Senior Citizens Day. This year brought the first funeral to the fairgrounds as a horse named "Justin Chief" died of exhaustion and was buried in the infield of the track. The grandstand was packed in 1985 during the truck and tractor pull. In 1986, a new fruits and vegetable and school exhibit building was in place. And yes, a girl entered and won a calf in the calf scramble. The fair of 1987 once again brought new attendance records and in 1988, the grandstand acts included a horse pull, demolition derby, 4-H night, Danger Brothers, McGuffey Lane, and the Queen's contest. More than 400 campers now lived in "Tent City" during fair week at $60 a camping spot. This was six percent of the fair's revenue! In 1989, grandstand entertainment included Cissie Lynn, daughter of Loretta Lynn. The first year for the county king contest was 1990. Highlights in the grandstand that year were Lorrie Morgan and Mickie Gilley who gave a grand performance in front of 12,000 people. When 1991 hosted 530 camping spots (all filled), the fair board looked into purchasing more land. The hog show lasted nine and a half hours and it took until one in the morning to sell all the market hogs. Attendance now has reached an estimated 90,000 for the week long fair. Entertainment included Shenandoah and Carlene Carter.
RECORD
HIGHS AND EXCITING SHOWS Mark Chestnut, Sammy Kershaw and Cactus Brothers were entertainers in 1993. The highlight was the new show arena. A new bandstand was also added to the grounds. Close to 2,000 4-H members displayed their projects. In 1994, the grandstand had Sawyer Brown, Michelle Wright, and Ricky Lynn Gregg. This was the 50th year for the Ross County Fair and a dinner to honor people who have taken part in the fair for the past 50 years was given. A commemorative stamp was made, a printed history of the fair was distributed, and a time capsule was buried, along with many other activities that took place. A new multi-purpose building that offered a kitchen, office, restrooms, tiled floor, heat and air conditioning was built for the 1995 fair. This building is not only used during fair week but is rented almost every weekend throughout the year. Also, a new five year contract was signed by the fair's biggest nonfair rental customer, the Easyrider Rodeo. Charlie Daniels and Tracy Byrd were entertainers in the grandstand. Aaron Tippin and Sawyer Brown were the 1996 acts in the grandstand. The fair board added a new 200 x 80 foot horse barn with stalls and show arena to the grounds. The Ross County Sheriff's Department built a new building on the grounds to use all year long for training and meetings. The fair board also rents it out. Although 56 more campsites were added, a waiting list still exists. In 1997, Billy Ray Cyrus and Neal McCoy brought in crowds to the fair with their grandstand performances. A black top road was put around the camping area and major repair was done on the septic system. Once more, 56 more campsites were installed, making a total of 820 camping facilities. That makes "Tent City" the second largest "city" in Ross County -- next to Chillicothe -- during fair week. Extensive update and repair was made on the grandstand in 1998, and the electric was replaced in the campgrounds to be able to handle the huge air conditioners that now accompany the large campers which roll onto the grounds. A new caretaker's manufactured home was put into place, and an EMT addition to the Sheriff's building was made for use during the fair and special events. Kenny Chesney, Confederate Railroad, and Blackhawk were the top billing in the grandstand. Lila McCann, Ty Herndon, The Marshall Tucker Band, and The Little River Band will be the entertainment for the 1999 Fair. The Ross County Fair promises to be even bigger and better fair, as each year the Fair board, 4-H advisors, County Extension office, Ross County Auxiliary, exhibitors and many, many volunteers strive to make the Fair the best it's ever been. Each fair in the state of Ohio is unique in its own way. When one stops to look at what is special about the Ross County Fair, one might note that the hard work and dedication of all these people. Much of the success of the Ross County Fair is due to the Junior Fair. The Junior Fair is very large with 117 4-H clubs, 438 advisors, 3,471 members which the Senior Fair board supports and recognizes as being a valuable part of this event. The
Ross County Fair has had some vibrant history. come to the Ross
County Fair and be part of history in the making. |
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ADMISSION General
Admission Daily
gate Grandstand
Admission |
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