Air conditioning units installed in Clark County Fair building

Hot, muggy, and warm are just a few of the words used to describe the Mercantile and Annex Buildings at the Clark County Fairgrounds - until this year.

Fair officials spent $125,000 to install air conditioning units in the Mercantile Building, said Dean Blair, Executive Director of the Clark County Fair. The new system will also benefit the Annex Building, which is directly connected to the Mercantile Building.

Before this year, the indoor temperature had been the number one complaint Blair received, he said.

The Mercantile Building is used for businesses and agencies who rent booths to promote their services and products, Blair said.

“Traffic in the building is way up, and I think honestly it will be an easy sellout every year,” Blair said.

Having air conditioning makes recruiting potential customers easier, said Elizabeth Evans Peterson, a health educator with Clark County Combined Health District.

“I personally appreciate it. It has made my life a lot easier,” Peterson said.

“I think it feels wonderful in here compared to outside,” said Clark County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Josh Berner, who has run the booth for the sheriff’s office at the fair for five years.

Also new at the Mercantile Building this year are indoor dining tables, said Sarah Dobberstein, client relations executive representing Mercy Health Partners at the fair.

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The Annex Building featured an exhibit from the Heritage Center of Clark County, including Clark County’s Ohio Bicentennial Bell. Also in the building is a Champion F-1 boat display, and vehicle displays from Harley-Davidson, Ride 1 Powersports, and Golf Car Company from Union County, Ohio.

“It was tragic not having air conditioning,” said Connie Todhunter, docent for the Heritage Center of Clark County. “It’s not bad at all this year; it’s really comfortable.”

The fair continues through Friday with the Champion Showcase and JF Livestock Auction scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. that day.

Happening Thursday at the Clark County Fair

Homemaker’s Day

Junior Fair Sales Trailer Open 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

9:15 a.m. Junior Fair Horse Fund Show (Outdoor Horse Arena)

9 a.m. 7 p.m. Election of Directors (Jr. Fair Board Building)

9 a.m.: Junior Fair County Produced Market Goat Show Cattle Show Arena)

11 a.m.: Junior Fair Clark County Cattle Producer’s Beef Show (Expo Center)

Junior Fair Dairy Grooming Contest (Between Barns 2 and 3)

1 p.m.: Showman of Showman (Expo Center)

1 p.m. Homemakers Style Show (Arts & Crafts Building)

3 p.m. Agricultural Society Annual Meeting (Champions Center)