Celebrate farming, history, family fun at Trumbull fair

It’s a sure sign of midsummer when the gates swing wide open for the first of the Mahoning Valley’s county agricultural expositions.

As the 171st edition of the Trumbull County Fair officially begins Tuesday for its run through Sunday, it’s also prime time to celebrate the foundation of the fair: the region’s rich agrarian roots. Residents can also take stock of farming’s proud status as one of the county’s most productive industries today.

Just how big is Trumbull agriculture? Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s census of more than 3,000 U.S. counties sheds some eye-popping and illuminating light:

The county boasts 888 farms with 113,896 acres of fertile growing fields.

Nearly 60,000 acres are harvested for soybeans, corn and other vital crops.

Some 11,200 (more than the population of Girard) heads of cattle are raised annually.

The annual market value for all crops produced and livestock totals a whopping $66.4 million.

Though the industry has changed and modernized over the years, clearly agriculture remains a critical cog in the county’s economy and culture. That’s why the annual fair, organized by the Trumbull County Agricultural Society and others, provides perfect opportunitites for Mahoning Valley residents to get up close and personal with the fruits (and vegetables and livestock) of the labor of the farming community.

‘NEW BEGINNING’ FOR HISTORY

The fair also celebrates the proud history of Trumbull County, once part of the French colony of Canada (New France) and later the center of the Connecticut Western Reserve under the governance of John Trumbull. This year’s exposition will have a decidedly stronger historical flair.

The ever-popular Historical Village is touting “a new beginning to preserve the past” with special exhibits spanning virtually every nook and cranny of the county. Among the historical societies with exhibitions will be ones from Cortland-Bazetta, Fowler, Howland, Leavittsburg, Niles, North Bloomfield, Southington, Trumbull County, Vienna and Warren.

Of course, the Trumbull County Fair in Bazetta also is all about loads of inexpensive family fun, education and entertainment in the here and now. Many tantalizing crowd pleasers are back: traditional fair food fare, dizzying mechanical rides, commercial exhibits and demonstrations, health exhibits, harness races, car races, a tractor pull, demolition derby and a country music concert featuring Chris Higbee. (A complete day-by-day schedule of events can be found in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com).

This week’s fair also boasts numerous structural improvements, the most noteworthy of which for fair-goers likely will be new modernized restrooms, which will be officially dedicated at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday shortly before the official noon opening ceremony for the fair itself.

Those who cannot wait can visit the fair today, a preview today, with no admission charge, a perk also available Tuesday. So far, weather forecasts indicate a longtime curse of the fair – heavy rain – largely will bypass this year’s official six-day run.

With so much going for it, here’s hoping the 2017 Trumbull County Fair enjoys maximum success and record attendance.