County fairs are seeing a bump in attendance. Butler County hopes to continue the trend

The Butler County Fair will run in Hamilton from July 22-28 in 2018. This photo is from one of the final days at the fair in 2014.

The Butler County Fair will run in Hamilton from July 22-28 in 2018. This photo is from one of the final days at the fair in 2014.
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July 21, 2018
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The president of the Butler County Fair Board hopes a recent trend of higher county fair attendance around the region continues locally this week.

Doug Turner, in his fourth year as president, noted that the Montgomery County Fair recorded higher attendance this year, and Warren County officials told him they were seeing an attendance increase during last week’s fair in Lebanon. The Montgomery County Fair, held for the first time in Jefferson Twp., reported attendance of 27,000 earlier this month, 13,000 more than in 2017.

“We have high hopes to have the same,” Turner said of the attendance jump. “We’re planning on large crowds.”

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Turner said weather plays an integral part in the success of any fair. If temperatures remain in the high-70s to mid-80s, people are more likely to spend the day at the fairgrounds. But if temperatures reach the 90s with high humidity, people are reluctant to leave their air conditioned homes, he said.

Conner Franke, 6, rides a pool noodle horse around an obstacle course during the 2017 Butler County Fair. The Butler County Fair will run in Hamilton from July 22-28 in 2018.

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The 168th annual Butler County Fair runs Sunday through Saturday, July 22-28, at the Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., in Hamilton.

Turner said he’s excited about a few new features this year.

He said Broken Horn Rodeo will operate this year’s rodeo set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the grandstand. Turner predicted a “bigger and better” rodeo than in year’s past.

Fans watch the Rolling Stone Rodeo at the 2017 Butler County Fair. 

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Also, he said, the Cincinnati Circus will perform a free show at 7 p.m. Saturday in the grandstand that will feature a pirate theme.

County fairs give local families “a week of fun” and an opportunity to get together, Turner said.

“It’s all about revisiting friendships made when you were a kid,” he said.

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HOW TO GO

WHAT: 168th annual Butler County Fair

WHEN: Sunday through Saturday, July 22-28

WHERE: Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton

COST:

General admission each day is $8; ages 6-12 are $3 when accompanied by an adult.

Seven-day passes for admission and parking are $30. Four-day passes for admission and parking are $20.

Those ages 62 and older, and veterans with an ID will be admitted free on Wednesday.

GRANDSTAND ENTERTAINMENT:

11:30 a.m. Sunday: Garden Tractor Pull

7 p.m. Sunday: Antique Tractor Pull

7 p.m. Monday: Demolition Derby

6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Darke County Sanctioned Trucks and Tractor Pull

7 p.m. Wednesday: Broken Horn Rodeo

7 p.m. Thursday: Tractor and Truck Pull

7 p.m. Friday: Demolition Derby

7 p.m. Saturday: Cincinnati Circus.

GRANDSTAND ADMISSION: Varies according to the event, but a grandstand seating wristband, which includes grandstand seating for the week is $25 for an adult and $10 for ages 6-12

MORE INFO: Call 513-892-1423

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