CROTON – The biggest small fair in the world will be big again this year.

The Hartford Independent Fair begins on Sunday with an almost return to normal after last year’s COVID-related cancellation of everything but junior events. The exception: no shopping on Sunday.

A year ago, Governor Mike DeWine limited all fairs in Ohio to junior 4-H events, so rides, exhibits, vendors, grandstand entertainment, and some concessions have been phased out. The campsite was reserved for junior fair attendees and their families.

Although the Delta variant increases COVID numbers again, Hartford Fair Director Larry Hughes has said he expects the annual event to be a big draw again.

“Everything we’ve had in 2019 is going to be here,” said Hughes. “I think it will be more than normal (attendance). It all depends on whether it is raining or not. We just can’t wait to go. We’re all getting back in place and can’t wait to get it started.”

Average attendance for the fair is around 170,000 for the seven days, Hughes said. Campers were starting to arrive on Wednesday. Those who paid for a campsite in 2020 get paid for that year, he said.

The only exception to the fair’s normal schedule is that there will be no rides on Sundays, Hughes said, as the seller couldn’t recruit enough workers.

“It affected us a bit with the rides,” Hughes said of the worker shortage. No trips on Sunday. They just can’t get help here. It’s all because of COVID and people just don’t want to work.

Due to the lack of rides, Sunday admission has been reduced to $ 6. Entrance fee returns to normal of $ 8 on Monday.

“We might have an empty building because Licking Valley won’t be serving food,” Hughes said. “They just can’t get help.”

The tradition of volunteers who make the fair possible continues, said Hughes, in his 12th year as director and board member of the fair since 1970. The fair has only a handful of paid staff at the fair. full time, volunteers are therefore essential for tasks such as the distribution of 250 garbage. bins, 50 picnic tables and 125 benches around the exhibition center.

“We can’t get guys out of the county jail this year because of COVID,” Hughes said. “I can understand that. The fair board has started up and recruited a few volunteers.

“People show up and do things, and I don’t even know it’s done. A guy just showed up to make sure all the taps are working.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-973-4539

Twitter: @ kmallett1958

Program

Here are the times and locations of some of the Hartford Fair events.

Sunday

Noon, Lumberjack competition, grandstand

Noon, Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

2 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

3 p.m., 4-H Band concert, resource area, Grubb Arena

3 p.m., Pedal tractor, arena

4 p.m., Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

5 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

6 p.m., OSTPA Truck and Tractor Pull, grandstand

7 p.m., Opening ceremony of the junior horse / pony fair, equestrian complex

On Monday

8:00 a.m., Old tractor, grandstand

9 a.m., English horse show, horse riding arena

Noon, Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

1:15 p.m., 4-H Band, in motion

2 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

3:30 p.m., Music 4-H, Tara

4 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

6 p.m., Steer Pool Show, Grubb Arena

6:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

7:30 p.m., Autocross race, grandstand

Tuesday

9 a.m., western horse show, horse riding arena

Noon, Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

1:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

2 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

4 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

6:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

7 p.m., Demolition Derby, grandstand

7:30 p.m. Market Beef, Heifer Show, Grubb Arena (West)

Wednesday

Noon, Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

1:15 p.m., 4-H Band, in motion

2 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

4 p.m., Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

5 p.m., Goat obstacle course competition, goat breeding

6:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

7:30 p.m., Monster Truck, grandstand

Thursday

8:00 am, Rooster crowing competition, henhouse / rabbit barn

Noon, Ninja Show, Pig Complex (North)

1 p.m., Goat Costume Contest, Grubb Arena

1:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

2 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

4 p.m., Ninja show, pig complex (north)

5.15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

7:30 p.m., Motocross race

9:15 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

Friday

8:00 am, Rooster crowing competition, henhouse / rabbit barn

Noon, Harness race, grandstand

1:30 p.m., 4-H Band Concert, Tara

5:30 p.m., Bryan Lewis, belvedere

7:30 p.m., Rough Truck Contest, grandstand

Saturday

Noon, Harness race, grandstand

4 p.m., Draft Pony Pull, grandstand

7 p.m., Dash for cash open barrel, horse riding arena

7 p.m., Midwest Champion Horse Pull, grandstand

8:30 p.m., Square dance by “Slipping Around”, pavilion

Correct Notes

Place: Exhibition center located at 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Croton.

General admission: Does not include rides; $ 6 on Sunday; $ 8 daily rest for the week. Cash only accepted at the gates. ATMs located in the grandstand and inside the Merchant’s Building. Children 7 and under admitted free. Monday is Veterans Day and Seniors Day, with a $ 3 door entry fee.

Weekly pass: A $ 45 weekly pass can be purchased at Heartland Bank, Park National Bank, Washington Auto Parts & Do It Yourself, and the Hartford Fair office.

Mounted: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday, weather permitting. Entrance at the gate does not include rides or games. A wristband can be purchased for continuous riding. Check the height requirements before purchasing the bracelet.

Seats: The seats in the stands and bleachers are free. No reserved places.

Car park: General parking is free. A privileged parking permit for the week, located behind the pig complex, costs $ 20. A shuttle train runs every day.

COVID: Disinfection units scattered around the field, but masks or proof of vaccines not required.

For more information: Visit the Hartford Fair website at www.hartfordfair.com or the Hartford Fair Facebook page, or call 740-893-4881.