The Montgomery County Fair gets underway Monday. It’s the second year for the fair at its new location on Infirmary Road in Dayton.
The Main Street property where the fair was held for more than 165 years is now owned by Premier Health and the University of Dayton. In 2018 it was announced that the 38 acre property would get a new life as Dayton’s Imagination District, a mixed-use community of residential, commercial and retail establishments.
Last year's fair drew a record crowd, despite its new location, organizers say. John Yancik, president of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society says they expect those numbers to rise again this year. Yancik says the new facilities are disability friendly, with convenient parking.
“We've got our two buildings that are air conditioned and we also have two new buildings for our animals this year as well as quite a bit of asphalt walking paths," he says. "So, everyone should be comfortable and getting around We have no hills and we have no steps. So that's a big positive for the community."
The Montgomery County Fair will feature close to 70 food and retail vendors, rides, livestock competitions, tractor pulls and other grandstand events across the site’s 50 acres.
Taylor Thomas is the reigning Junior Queen at this year’s fair. She’s been showing livestock in the fair competitions since she was a young girl and says it’s a family tradition.
“I've loved that experience. My parents both showed at the Montgomery County Fair growing up and so you know it was kind of something that I was just born into but, it's taught me so much and I love the agriculture industry.”
The Montgomery County Fair runs from July 8-14. Gates are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, gates are open noon to 8 p.m.
