Community

Seniors Enjoy Belmont County Fair

ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Many of Belmont County's senior citizens were out enjoying the Belmont County Fair attractions Friday.

Becky Selman, secretary of the fair board, said the full fair and the presence of senior visitors was welcome following the COVID-19 lockdowns of last year, and the curtailing of the full fair to a junior fair.

"We've had good crowds but I'm not sure of our actual attendance," she said. "We're hoping for a big attendance tonight with the truck and tractor pulls."

Selman added these attractions will continue through Saturday and finish with the demolition derby at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by other attractions until closing at 5 p.m. Selman said staff are promoting precautions.among senior visitors and other guests.

"I feel there are some people who aren't coming out because of the craziness going on, with the health issues," she said.

Chuck and Carla Miller of Bridgeport were among senior guests. They were enjoying the attractions.

"Both of us worked the gate at the old fairgrounds for years and today's our 44th wedding anniversary. We always spent it at the fair because we were working at the fairgrounds," she said. "At least there's a fair. There wasn't a fair last year."

Mary Ann Domyan, staff at the Belmont Country Tourism Board, said the fair is a welcome draw for visitors and seniors were enjoying themselves.

"They're happy to be out here. It's a nice place to be," she said.

James Anderson of St. Clairsville was confident during his tour of the attractions.

"The county needs something, that's why we're here," Anderson said. "I'm fully-vaccinated and everybody else should be."

"It's good to see things getting back to normal," Lou Ann Bennett of Bellaire said. "The seniors are tired of being cooped up. They want to start getting out and doing things and start to enjoy life again, because their lifes' getting shorter and shorter and they want to enjoy that time they have left, and this lockdown's really getting to them."

"All seniors come on out, it's a good time," Jody Hill of St. Clairsville said.

Some elementary school children also got to visit the fair Thursday for the Master Gardener Fair Field Days display. Dan Lima, Ag and Natural Resources educator with Ohio State University, said the children participated in several games, such as identifying foods they would eat before they were cooked.

"We had a smaller showing than previous years, but they were nice. We were able to get out there and do some activities for kids," Lima said. Lima said about 200 children from some area schools turned out. "Some schools didn't come out because of the pandemic problems. ... School regulations."

In addition, performers such as the Zerbini Family Circus were also eager to return and wow Belmont County fairgoers.

"We're very excited to be able to put on a good show for you guys," Julian Zerbini, manager, said. He added Thursday's performance was a success and they had other popular attractions such as a transforming car that reforms into a 20-foot-tall robot. He said the reception at Belmont County was particularly welcome after being shut down for a year in 2020.

"They're always nice to us. Everything we need, they're always accommodating to us and we're really grateful," Zerbini said.