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“We’ve really covered things this year with our entertainment,” said Clark County Fairgrounds Executive Director Dean Blair. “While other fairs are increasing their costs, we are adding a record number of things to do without raising ours.”
Midway entertainment’s newest spectacle goes from under the ocean with sharks in 2017 to the jungle in 2018.
Nerger’s Tigers has 10-12 of the big cats, including Bengal/Siberian tigers, which will perform several times and be on display each day.
To complement those Bengals will be Cincinnati Bengals Ben-Gal cheerleaders. Two cheerleaders will be at the tiger exhibit 3-5 p.m. Saturday, July 21, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 22 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 23 to interact, give autographs and photos.
They will also present a cheerleading clinic for girls, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday.
One of last year’s popular attractions, Pork Chop Revue, featuring performing pigs, will return with shows at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. each day except July 27 when they’ll perform at 1, 3 and 5.
Four new rides will populate the midway including the Super Shot, which rises 90 feet in the air and drops riders straight down. It can be seen all the way from the interstate, Blair said.
A funhouse, Pharaoh’s Fury and the Demon Drop will also be new.
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Another attraction that drew numerous people last year was the Clark County Sheriff’s Firearms Simulator in the Annex Building. It will return this year and joined by a Marine Firearms Simulator added to the midway.
A record number of 13 acts will be in the big tent entertainment.
“We’ve got genres for everyone,” said Blair.
Country performer Chris Higbee, who had a well-received set in 2017 is back on Saturday, with a country show opening things on Saturday, July 21.
Several local groups will also appear such as LA Band and Above the Law, which performed in 2017, and Dean Sims.
A family tragedy this summer may have prevented Hasting & Co.’s show on Wednesday, July 25, but band leader and Springfield native Kate Hasting wanted to keep the date.
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Blair said the Hasting family has been strong supporters of the fair for years and is glad Kate will perform. The group will also be shooting a video around the fair that day.
Grandstand events will be highlighted by a national tractor pull on Saturday, July 21 as well as a new event, a Skid Steer Rodeo on Wednesday, July 25. Clark County is one of only six fairs in Ohio to have such an event according to Blair.
Also returning Wednesday is the Salvation Army 5k, which raised $4,000 for at risk youth in 2017.
There will also be special area historic displays including Agriculture through the Ages, motor products built in Clark County and a county bicentennial bell.
“With all of these things to do, we’re really one of the best values around,” Blair said.
For more information, go to https://clarkcoag.com/index.php/clark-county-fair/entertainment/.
BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, July 20 – Hank FM Country Concert, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 21 – The Blue Leaf’s, 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 21 – Chris Higbee, 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 22 – First Christian Church at the Fair, live Christian music, 5 p.m.
Monday, July 23 – Ryan Roth is Elvis, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 24 – David Wayne (old-time country music), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, July 24 – L.A. Band, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 25 – Dean Sims, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 25 – Hasting & Co., 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 26 – 7 Bridges (Eagles tribute), 8 p.m.
Friday, July 27 – Above the Law, 8 p.m.
Friday, July 27 – Alberino Affair Band, 9 p.m.
MIDWAY ENTERTAINMENT
Agriculture Through the Ages display, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 20-Friday, July 27
Bear Hollow Woodcarvers, noon, 3, 5 and 8 p.m. Friday, July 20-Thursday, July 26; noon, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, July 27
Pork Chop Revue, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, July 20-Thursday, July 26; 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, July 27 Nerger’s Tigers, Friday, July 20-Friday, July 27
Lawn Tractor Pull, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21 in Champions Center
Cincinnati Ben-Gals Cheerleaders, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, July 21, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 22 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 23
John Cooper is Abe Lincoln, Sunday, July 22-Wednesday, July 25, 2-8 p.m.
GRANDSTAND EVENTS
(All events at 7 p.m. except where noted)
Saturday, July 21 – NTPA Truck Pull
Sunday, July 22 – Demolition Derby
Tuesday, July 24 – COTPA Tractor and Homegrown Truck Pull
Wednesday, July 25 – 2nd Annual Salvation Army 5k Run
Wednesday, July 25 – Skid Steer Rodeo
Thursday, July 26 – Tug a Truck Friday, July 27 – Kiddie Pig Chase, 6 p.m.; Pig and Calf Scrambles, 7 p.m.
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