By Kathleen Leese

For Miami Valley Today

TROY — Living in western Ohio means fair time when summer rolls around. Miami County is gearing up for the 2024 Miami County Fair, which offers something for everyone to enjoy including displays, farm animals, grandstand events, rides and fair food. It is a week of smiles and fun for those of all ages.

The 2024 Miami County Fair is set for Aug. 9-15, with gates opening at 7 a.m. daily; wristband re-entry will start at noon each day. Gates close at 11 p.m. each day. Admission is $6 and free for children ages 8 and under. Season passes are $30 each and are good for seven admissions. Miami County Agricultural Society (MCAS) memberships are $30 and allow unlimited access in and out of the fair and voting privileges during the 2024 Miami County Senior Fair Board elections. Individuals must be Miami County residents to qualify for the MCAS membership.

Jessop Amusements will provide rides again for this year’s fair with discounted wristbands starting on July 23 by going to www.jessopamuse.com/tickets to save $5 on the wristbands. The advanced sale of wristbands cost $20 each and are good for any four hour wristband session during this year’s fair.

On Aug. 9, beginning at 10 a.m., it will look like Christmas in July with Christmas tree decorating and tablescape set-up at the Duke Lundgard Building. At noon, the 2024 Miami County Fair opening ceremonies will be held at the grandstand, followed by the crowning of the Miami County Junior Fair Queen and King at 1 p.m.

Those attending the fair will find lots of activities in the entertainment tent and the Duke Lundgard Building. Among them are the following:

• Miami County Fair royalty second round interviews will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 at the entertainment tent.

• On Saturday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m., the Dogs Royalty Contest Awards will be followed by obedience, grooming, showmanship and rally.

• The 4H Junior foods and nutrition review will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at noon at the Duke Lundgard Building.

• The 4H senior foods nutrition review will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 12:30 p.m. at the Duke Lundgard Building.

• The 4H junior clothing review will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 2:30 p.m. at the Duke Lundgard Building.

• The 4H senior clothing review will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. at the Duke Lundgard Building.

• On Saturday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m., there will be a 4-H alumni camp reunion at the Duke Lundgard Building.

• On Sunday, Aug. 11, at 9:30 a.m., there will be a worship service led by the Cove Springs Church at the entertainment tent.

• Gospel Fest will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. at the entertainment tent.

• The open beef breeding show will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Cattle Show Area.

There will be lots of other activities and events to attend during the 2024 Miami County Fair, including:

• Horse show events on Monday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. with the western day, ranch riding, horsemanship, ranch horsemanship, gaited western horsemanship, ranch pleasure, western pleasure and reining at the Horse Show Arena.

• On Monday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. is the Junior Fair market steer and heifer show at the cattle arena.

• On Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. is the Miami County born and raised sheep show followed by the Junior Fair sheep showmanship and the peewee and adult showmanship event at the sheep show arena.

• On Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 8 a.m., the FFA Junior Fair livestock judging contest will take place at the sheep show arena.

• On Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. the 4H Cloverbud show and tell will be held followed by the Cloverbud graduation at the Duke Lundgard Building.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m. the sale of champions will be held at the goat barn sale arena.

For more information, contact the Miami County Fair Office at 937-335-7492 or visit its website at https://miamicountyohiofair.com/

The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.