Upcoming events
Truck and tractor pulls happen at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22;
Richard Lynch, Derrick Carozza & Farmerica will provide a country music concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 23;
Little Miss/Mister Warren County Fair contests get crowned at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24
LEBANON — Carnival workers try to avoid melting in their booths and trailers. Youths lounge in the cool barns, making sure their animals don’t overheat. And families find the shade to enjoy the sites, sounds and icy treats at the Warren County Fair.
Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue, as temperatures will be in the 90s through Saturday, July 23, the last day of the annual fair.
Staying cool during the week-long festivities is a priority for those who stay at the fairgrounds all week.
For the thousands of farm animals who have made their first trip away from home, adjusting to the new environment can be stressful. Large industrial fans help keep the well-ventilated barns surprisingly cool and comfortable.
The ones you have to worry about most are the rabbits and pigs, said Scott McQuinn, a veterinarian who puts in long days while on call at the fair. Pigs don’t sweat or pant, McQuinn said, and the only way for them to cool off is to wallow in mud or get a hose bath from their keepers.
“Most people take care of their animals,” he said, “that’s their livelihood.”
Springboro residents David and Rhonda Seidenschmidt have been at the fair everyday, all day to help their four children, who have 14 4-H projects. They have brought rabbits, chickens, turkeys and a goat. The Seidenschmidts’ bunnies stretch out next to two-liter jugs of ice to stay cool in their cages.
The fair board provides several big fans for the barns, said Kara Colvin, junior fair adviser.
“Sometimes the kids get caught up with taking care of their animals, and they forget to drink extra water,” she said.
That’s not the case for 18-year-old Kate Creutzinger, a recent Mason High School graduate who puts ice packs in her helmet while showing her horse in the hunt seat competition.
Kate, her sister Jenny, a Mason freshman, and their mother Joy Creutzinger were selling frozen lemonades and ice cream treats at the Warren County 4-H booth on a sweltering Monday, July 19.
“It seems this is always the hottest week in the summer,” Joy said.
Kate’s horse can require up to 20 gallons of water on a hot day, Joy said.
While riding for the judges, Kate must wear long riding boots, pants, a jacket, long sleeve shirt and a dark-colored helmet.
“I prefer the heat (over cold winters), but not when you’re in a jacket and long pants,” she said.
The fair ends at 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $8 general admission, children 12 and under admitted free.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
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