LEBANON, Ohio — The COVID-19 pandemic canceled eleven fairs across the state, including Ohio's state fair. In spite of that, many counties made a few exceptions to allow some staple events to continue.

What You Need To Know

  • Eleven fairs across Ohio have been canceled due to the pandemic, including the state fair

  • Junior fairs allow 4H shows to continue though most public fair events are canceled

  • H members celebrate the opportunity to publicly show their hard work to compete and make a sale

Warren County got its fair underway Sunday, though things looked different. The Midway was closed, the crowds were minimal, and many events were canceled or postponed.

Though the grounds were emptier than usual, the barns were as bustling as ever with 4H kids like Karissa, eager to show off their work.

"Hard work, dedication," she said. "You gotta walk 'em every day, you gotta feed 'em every day, you gotta wash 'em every day.”

That's what she said it took over the past eight months to raise her calves to get ready to show at the fair.

For veteran 4Hers like Emma Pinnick, raising their show animals can take years.

“All summer we get up early, go to bed late, stay in the barn all day," she said. “We get to see how much it paid off when we show and how hard we’ve worked.”

That usually means a ribbon and a profitable sale at the county or state fair, and not every one in Ohio got the chance to see that work come into fruition.

“I know there are a couple counties around us that they don’t get the opportunity to bring their 4H projects out,” Jonathan Collins, a member of the junior fair board, said.

In his first year as a board member, Collins said he was eager to help prepare many of the 4H livestock shows and events, though he said the ultimate decision on the fair's future was out of his hands.

“I thank the senior fair board so much for making sure that we have a fair," he said.

While the animals seemed to outnumber people during the first day of events, the 4H kids didn't seem to miss the audience.

"It’s different," Karissa said. "You gotta stay six feet apart but it’s a fair. At least we have it."

Pinnick said she considers it a blessing just to get the chance to bring her prize animals into the spotlight while they're still in their prime.

“In the end, it’s about being with family and working really hard and the rides and the food and that stuff don’t really matter as much,” she said.

Neighboring Clermont County will also host a similar junior fair next week.

Montgomery and Butler County Fairs remain canceled altogether.