Celebrate Trumbull’s rich rural roots at 172nd fair

It’s a sure sign of midsummer when the gates swing wide open for the first of the Mahoning Valley’s annual county agricultural expositions, better known as county fairs.

As the 172nd edition of the Trumbull County Fair opens Sunday for its run through July 15, 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 opportunities for Mahoning Valley residents to get up close and personal with the fruits (and vegetables and livestock) of the labor of the farming community.

HISTORY ON THE GROW

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 again have a decidedly strong historical flair.

Last year, the ever-popular Historical Village touted “a new beginning to preserve the past” with special exhibits spanning virtually every nook and cranny of the county. The popularity and success of those exhibits is expected to grow even stronger in this year’s fair with at least 12 historical societies from the county expected to take part.

Of course, the Trumbull County Fair at the Expo Center on Everett-Hull Road in Bazetta also boasts 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, bull riding, and a country music concert featuring Chris Higbee. Contests from rooster crowing to skillet tossing also return as crowd pleasers.

And once again, The Vindicator will have a display on the grounds as well. (A complete day-by-day schedule of fair events can be found on Page A6 of today’s Vindicator and on Vindy.com).

The fair officially opens Tuesday, but those who cannot wait can visit the fair Sunday and Monday, preview days with no admission charge. So far, weather forecasts indicate a longtime curse of the fair – heavy rain – largely will bypass this year’s run with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s throughout the week.

With so much going for it, here’s hoping the 2018 Trumbull County Fair enjoys maximum success and record attendance.