Cows, pigs, chickens and more: Stark County Fair kicks off with livestock exhibitions

CANTON − The Stark County Fair is celebrating its 175th anniversary with the return of tractor pulls, the demolition derby and livestock exhibitions.

The fair began Tuesday morning with exhibits and judging in full swing for everything from photography to turkeys.

Families and kids from local 4-H programs spent the morning prepping their animals for competition at the Junior Fair.

Chickens, goats and cows were some of the animals being shown to judges.

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Kids gear up for fierce competition at the Junior Fair

Geno Milano, 12, was washing his cow. He said he wanted Fireball to be clean before showing him.

It was Milano's third year at the fair. He said he has previously won his class in showmanship.

"I'm hoping I can continue that and maybe win some extra stuff," he said.

Milano, from East Canton, was excited to be presenting again this year.

Over by the poultry barn, Andy Wigginton watched his daughter, Riley, present a chicken for judging.

"It's exciting," he said.

It is Riley's first time at the Stark County Fair. She is a member of Krazy Kritters 4-H in Canal Fulton.

Andy Wigginton said the last time he was at the Stark County Fair was when he was in 4-H as a kid in the '80s.

"I used to bring sheep here decades ago," he said. "This is my first time back with my daughter ... I think she enjoys it."

Anniversary: Stark Fair to celebrate its 175th year

Katie Shaffer from Navarre was milking a Lamancha goat in the goat barn while her son, 7-year-old CJ, bottle fed a kid.

She said the family will be showing their goats in open class and Junior Fair.

"My kids love it. We enjoy raising goats and being able to show the public," Katie Shaffer said.

She said she particularly likes interacting with people who are less familiar with goats.

"We like to let people enjoy goats that don't really have them," she said. "We raise Lamanchas that have the really tiny ears, people are always curious about that."

CJ, while feeding Brown Sugar, said he enjoys taking care of goats at home.

Judges impressed by display at Stark County Fair

Danny Long is a rabbit judge from Cincinnati who frequents county fairs across the state.

While examining rabbits at the judging table, he said he was impressed with the animals from Stark County.

"They've always got good ones here," Long said.

More than just animals were up for judging at the fair. The event also features a range of food and art competitions.

Liz Phipps, of the American Institute of Floral Designers, and Neal Perkins, of the Tuslaw Garden Club, were judges for cut flowers and floral arrangements.

Phipps, who lives in Holmes County, said it is her second year as a judge at the fair.

"The quality is excellent," she said. "It's nice to see a lot of participation from the community."

The Stark County Fair continues through Labor Day. General Admission tickets are $8.00. The fairgrounds are located on Wertz Avenue NW. For more information, starkcountyfair.com.

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County Fair returns for 175th anniversary