ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Fairgrounds Become A City Overnight

Some Camping Spaces End Up In Divorce Court



Thomas Evans, Archbold, a member of the Fulton County Fair Board auxiliary, puts the final touches on a flowerbed in front of the free stage at the fairgrounds, Thursday, Aug. 25. The fair opens Friday, Sept. 2.– photo by David Pugh

Thomas Evans, Archbold, a member of the Fulton County Fair Board auxiliary, puts the final touches on a flowerbed in front of the free stage at the fairgrounds, Thursday, Aug. 25. The fair opens Friday, Sept. 2.– photo by David Pugh

With the 154th Fulton County Fair just days away, what once appeared to be “a nice, quiet campground looks like a city being built,” said Sue Whitaker, incoming secretary of the Fulton County Fair Board.

“The first wave of campers came in. That’s a huge deal. Our ride company (Poor Jack Amusements) is coming in. Merchants have been in, picking up their passes. They don’t bring their stuff in until Thursday,” Whitaker said.

Each year, more than 600 campers arrive at the fairgrounds.

And that’s just the campers inside the fence. There are more in a primitive camping area outside the fence.

A camping space at the fairgrounds is a valuable commodity. Whitaker said all rent payments for spaces must be paid by June 1. If someone doesn’t make a payment, fair officials turn to the waiting list, which is 85 names long.

“We’ve been told people have fought over camping spaces in divorce court, and grandparents have left them to grandchildren,” she said.

Changes in Schedule

There have been several changes in the fair schedule.

This year, there weren’t enough combines entered in the combine demolition derby, so it has been replaced with a rodeo on Wednesday night, Sept. 7.

Local people will be allowed to enter the competition, including bull riding, Whitaker said.

There has also been a change in the demolition derby. In the past, there have been two shows of fullsize cars bashing into one another. This year, while there were well over 30 cars entered, there weren’t enough for two shows.

The second demolition derby will feature full-size trucks and compact cars. She said about ten vehicles have been entered in the two classes.

For the past few years, there has been a display of antique farm tractors and other equipment. This year, space was available near the horse barn, so a display of antique lawn mowers and garden tractors has been set up.

Two horse barns on the south side of the fairgrounds were torn down.

They were in bad shape, Whitaker said. The only time they were used was during the fair.

As Planned

With the opening of the fair, Whitaker said overall, things are going as planned.

“We’re having no problems. Everything is looking good,” she said.

But, she added, “There are never problems, only unsolved opportunities.”–David Pugh


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *