2025 Lorain County Fair schedule released

With the 179th Lorain County Fair less than two months away, the Lorain County Fair Board has published its 2025 fair schedule. Fair Board President Rick Ternes said that this year's fair will feature all the classic events and activities for which it is known, as well as a few major new additions. Specifically, Ternes said that both the new Ross Exposition Center and the Maureen Cromling Horse Arena would be completed and open by the start of the fair. "As far as what is new for the fair we will be opening our brand-new expo center, the fair will be the first thing in it," Ternes said. "We will also be opening, for first use at the fair, the Maureen Cromling Horse Arena… Those are by far the two big things that everyone will be excited to see." Along with the new locations for events, Ternes said the classic events like harness horse racing, Junior Fair animal shows and carnival rides would all be returning. "There is a lot of change but there is still a lot of tradition that will be there," Ternes said. The 2025 Lorain County will open on Sunday, Aug. 17 and run through Sunday, Aug. 24, between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Gate admission will be free on Aug. 17, but vendors and rides will not be fully open until Monday. Starting Monday, Aug. 18 admission will be $10 with free admission for those aged eight and under. On Thursday admission will be free all day for those 65 years of age or older as well as veterans and active duty military members, both with a valid ID. Animal shows and judging for both the Junior Fair and open submission will take place every day of the fair except the two Sundays. Below is an abbreviated list of events and activities which will take place during the 2025 fair; for a full list of activities visit the Lorain County Fair website at https://tinyurl.com/63pmscb6. Sunday, Aug. 17 – Free Day 3 p.m. – Horse harness racing will open 5 p.m. – The opening ceremony of the fair at Pavilion 1, including a flag raising ceremony, an official opening of the County Fair with a performance from the 4-H Band, crowning of the Junior Fair King and Queen and the granting of 4-H special awards. 5:30 - 6 p.m. – The judging of submitted antiques and various art pieces. Monday, Aug. 18 11 a.m. – The second and final day of horse harness racing will begin 1-7 p.m. – Voting for the Directors of the Lorain County Agricultural Society will take place at the Senior Fair Office 2:15 p.m. – Future Farmers of America special awards ceremony 8 p.m. – Cheap Trick will perform as a musical headliner Tuesday, Aug. 19 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Animal shows and judging will take place throughout the day 8 p.m. – Lonestar will perform as a musical headliner Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Kids' Day 8 a.m. – From the opening of the fair on Wednesday, there will be a variety of extra activities for kids throughout the fairgrounds 9 p.m. – The open class ponies and stalled hitch classes will be shown in front of the Grandstand 1 p.m. – Miniature horse pull at the Pony Ring 7 p.m. – The Ohio State Tractor Pull Association (OSPTA) tractor pull will headline the evening Thursday, Aug. 21 – Senior Citizens and Veterans Day 8 a.m. – Admission will be free for those aged 65 and older, as well as active duty military members and veterans. Both groups must show a valid ID at admission 8:30 a.m. – County Fair Kids Fun Show at the Ross Exposition Center 1 p.m. – The Junior Fair Auction for meat chickens, market ducks, market goats, market lambs, meat rabbits and turkeys will be held at the Ross Exposition Center 6 p.m. – The County Tractor Pull will be the main event of Thursday evening Friday, Aug. 22 4 p.m. – Draft horse and draft pony fun pull will take place in the Pony Ring 6:30 p.m. – National Tractor Pullers Association's (NTPA) Grand National tractor pull Saturday, Aug. 23 8:30 a.m. – Junior Fair Livestock Auction for market beef and market hogs will take place at the Ross Exposition Center 10 a.m. – Open to the World draft horse and pony hitch will take place in front of the Grandstand 1:30 p.m. – The Kiddie Pedal Pull will be at Pavilion 2 7 p.m. – The Combine Derby and the Pickup Truck Derby will be the headlining event Sunday, Aug. 24 9 a.m. – An interdenominational service will be held at Pavilion 1. Check the website of St. Patrick's Church for Catholic mass times. 10:00 am – Pony Fun Show at the Pony Ring 1 p.m. – The Power Wheel Derby 4 p.m. – The famous Demolition Derby will begin at 4 p.m. Admission to the Grandstand will open at 3 p.m. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.