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September 9, 2018 - 10:05am -- foxx.2@osu.edu

Wayne County Fair Exhibitors Update

September 9, 2018

To: All Exhibitors

From: The Wayne County Fair Board

LETS HAVE A FAIR!

Yesterday’s unprecedented evacuation went very, smoothly.  Thank you to all for the patience and cooperation during this event.  As we discussed with many of you yesterday, our priority was to preserve human and livestock lives when faced with a high potential for a flash flood that would have prevented access to the barns.

In continued consultation with the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Wayne County Sheriff, Wooster Fire Department and the National Weather Service it appears that the storm, while sill present in the area, no longer poses the flash flood risk that prompted the evacuation.  While there are areas on the fairgrounds that are still prone to flooding, these areas are the lower lying areas and are known to accumulate water under normal circumstances.

In light of the above, we have decided that it is now safe for most livestock to return to the grounds and resume the normal fair operation as much as possible.  The list below describes the intended plan for returning livestock to the grounds.

As expected, there are going to continue to be modifications to normal operations of the fair.  See the list below for instructions for returning livestock to the grounds or other changes.   We realize that not everyone or everything can be accommodated due to the weather conditions. 

Please stay tuned to the Wayne County Fair Facebook page and Wayne County Fair website (www.waynecountyfairohio.com) for updated information.  We look forward to better weather and having a great fair!

Instructions/Information:

Sara Evans Concert as of now, is still on!  Keep watching Facebook or website for more details

High school band performances for Monday – cancelled due to muddy conditions in parking area and track

“Vendor Campground” and “Car Exhibitors” – remains closed for now

Beef and Dairy Steers – all steers will remain at their designated feed lots until after the sale on Thursday.  We understand that this is not ideal for exhibitors; however, this is the best option for the animals and continued operation of the fair.  Auction will be held on Thursday as usual.

Beef Breeding and Feeders – Are permitted to return to the grounds starting immediately and must be in place by 10 am Monday to be eligible to show.  Prior to 10 PM Sunday, Trucks/trailers will enter gate 4 unload, turn around and exit gate 4 after 10 PM enter and exit gate 5&6.

Trucks/trailers will enter gate 4 unload, turn around and exit gate 4.

Jr. Fair Horses – A plan is being discussed for return.  Stay tuned for further details.

Dairy cattle – Are permitted to return to the grounds starting immediately and must be in place by 10 am Monday to be eligible to show.  Prior to 10 PM Sunday, Trucks/trailers will enter gate 4 unload, turn around and exit gate 4 after 10PM enter and exit gate 5&6.

Swine – Will remain in place at the Richland County Fairgrounds.  Shows will be held according to schedule at the Richland County facility.  Tonight at 6 pm at the Richland County Fairgrounds in the show arena, we are having a mandatory swine exhibitor meeting. We need one representative from each family to be present, at this meeting we will discuss animal care, barn maintenance, flow of show day and flow of the barns, and show schedules, please bring your questions to this meeting.  Rules for exhibiting to be eligible for the sale will be waived this year to accommodate those that have conflicting shows and can’t travel between locations.  It is still highly encouraged to arrange for your animal to be shown when called to the ring in any species show.  Any junior fair exhibitor is eligible to fill in for the exhibitor in a market or breed based class.  Auction will be held on Thursday as usual.

Draft/Mini-Horse - Are permitted to return to the grounds starting immediately and must be in place by 8 am Monday to be eligible to show.  Trucks/trailers will enter gate 4 unload, turn around and exit gate 4.

Goats - All goats housed in the tent are being moved to the Swine Barn in pens near the Sheep/Swine Arena. Exhibitors housed in the tent please move your tack and check in on your goat by noon today.

Sheep, Goats, Rabbits and Poultry – will remain in place with the exceptions of turkeys which have already been relocated to the “Overflow Barn” due to pen flooding.  Likewise goats from the tent will be moved to the now vacant hog barn due to tent flooding.

The Board understands the continued impacts to exhibitors and greatly appreciates the continued cooperation, understanding and flexibility during this challenging time.

To All Livestock Exhibitors: 

For exhibitors that have to show in two or more shows on the same day – please check the show books to know where you are in each show.  Your classes might be far enough apart in the show order to be able to show in both shows.  However,  if you have difficulty making it to both shows – please know that there will be NO penalty if you have to make a choice to not show a certain animal.  Market livestock will be sold through the auction and exhibitors will receive full bid price even if they were not able to show the animal.  You may also ask another exhibitor to show a particular animal for you (except in showmanship) if you would like.