Ashland County Fair: Parade of Bands starts the week, Sweet Umbra will finish it off
With several bands performing in the Pavilion all week and Lauren Alaina headlining the grandstand show, the Ashland County Fair has music for the entire family planned for 2024.
Opening on Sunday with the traditional Parade of Bands and finishing the week with Sweet Umbra at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Cathy Rice, fair secretary and co-manager, listed the number of entertainers the fair has to offer.
“We have several bands in the Pavilion this year,” Rice said, “starting off with square dancing/line dancing on Sunday. We have a Beatles Tribute on Monday, the Warriors on Tuesday, Corn Hole (Junior Fair Board) on Wednesday, Tom’s Kitchen Table on Thursday, Blindsided on Friday and Aiden Albaugh and Sweet Umbra on Saturday.”
Lauren Alaina joined by Emily Ann Roberts
Alaina will be joined by Emily Ann Roberts in the grandstand at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Alaina was the runner-up on the 10th season of "American Idol" and is a two-time Country Music Association Award nominee. She has had a pair of No. 1 songs on the Country Airplay chart with “Road Less Traveled” and her duet with Kane Brown, “What Ifs”.
Roberts gained recognition on "The Voice" as a member of Blake Shelton’s team in Season 9. Her debut album was released in fall 2023.
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“We have an Entertainment Committee that meets usually in November to review the artist list and pricing,” said Rice about how grandstand acts are selected. “They then talk with the music promoter and check availability for contracting.”
Adult Tractor Pull added, buildings freshened up at Ashland fairgrounds
For the first time, an adult tractor pull will be part of fair activities.
“The Adult Tractor Pull has a maximum of 12 participants, and it is like the Kiddie Pull," Rice said.
As for fairground upgrades, a small grassy park area has a tractor in the corner where visitors can have photos taken. The swine and sheep barns have new siding, the Green Merchant building has a new roof and downspouts and the entrance sign has a fresh coat of white paint.
Other changes include moving the Junior Fair Swine showmanship judging to 5 p.m. Monday and the Swine Market Show to 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to rice.
The Open Poultry Show moves to 2:30 p.m. Sunday followed by the Junior Fair Poultry Show at 4 p.m., with both shows taking place in the Open Class Poultry Building.
On Tuesday, the Junior Fair Rabbit Show will be in the Open Class Poultry Building along with a Small Animal Costume Contest.
“We appreciate all the youth that participate at the fair with all their projects,” Rice said. “Whether it be livestock or a still exhibit. It is a week full of continued learning experiences, gaining new friendships and making memories.”
For a complete listing of events, visit ashlandcountyfair.com.
With plenty of grandstand entertainment all week ranging from the OSTPA Pull on Sunday through the crowd-pleasing Demolition Derby Saturday night, the yearly event brings feelings of nostalgia to not only Rice, but to regular attendees.
“The fair itself is always enjoyable to me,” Rice said. “There is so much to see and do starting with the youth taking care of their livestock and the many shows and fun contests for young and old. The numerous food vendors with their enticing smells and strolling through all the exhibits showing off their talent and merchants showcasing their products.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Lauren Alaina, building updates, adult tractor pull at Ashland fair
