Staff photo / R. Michael SempleGavin Coelho, 14, of Vienna, and member of the 4-H club Touch of Class, prepares for the upcoming Trumbull County Fair by cleaning the vinyl fence at the 4-H horse practice ring at the fairgrounds on Thursday. The 177th annual fair starts Tuesday and runs through July 16.

BAZETTA — Trumbull County Fair officials are hoping for strong attendance this week as the popular summer attraction brings local families and those from other areas for six days of fun.

This the 177th year for the fair.

The fair will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Tuesday to July 16 at the fairgrounds in Bazetta.

Kierstin Holmes, a Trumbull County Fair Board member, said the fair has always been a well-attended summer event, but attendance does depend on the weather.

“We hope to have attendance up. We didn’t raise the prices, which is important because of the economy. We’re anticipating a good fair and good weather. We got lucky last year,” Holmes said.

Attendance at last year’s Trumbull County Fair was 46,649. That’s up from 44,144 in 2021 and virtually the same as 2019’s attendance of 46,671.

In recent years, fairs across the state and country faced challenges as they were canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canfield Fair — one of the state’s largest — for example, had just a junior fair in 2020.

Holmes said improvements and upgrades have been made for the fair as the county commissioners have provided American Rescue Plan funds.

The improvements include new restrooms at the commercial building, a new 4-H building with a pavilion and restrooms, the office parking lot was resurfaced and new roofs were installed on four horse barns and the annex building.

“We haven’t had this many improvements to the fairgrounds in a long time. It’s great for the fair and the people who come. We’ll have more improvements in future years through sponsorships,” Holmes said.

Holmes said new roads have been put in all of the parking lots to make them less muddy if it does rain, and less dusty. She said grindings from the roads were used.

The grandstand has many events through the fair. The events include horse racing, petting zoo, tractor pull and livestock show.

177th Trumbull County Fair

Admission

$12 admission Wednesday to July 16 including parking, rides and grandstand events and free for those 3 and under. $2 admission on Tuesday with ride passes for $10. Admission for senior citizens age 62 and older is $5 Wednesday to July 16. Free on Wednesday for veterans and first responders with proper identification.

Hours and events

Fair is open daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Grandstand events

• Tuesday — Harness racing, 12:30 and 5:30 p.m.;

• Wednesday — Tuff truck show and half-car racing, 7 p.m.

• Thursday — Modified auto racing, 6 p.m.

• Friday — Truck and tractor pull, 6:30 p.m.

• Saturday — Rodeo bulls and barrels, 6 p.m.

• July 16: demolition derby, 5 p.m., and fireworks to follow demolition derby.

• Rides are from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 11 p,m. Tuesday to July 16.

• Other events include the annual spelling bee of the Trumbull Retired Teachers Association at 1 p.m. Thursday; draft horse pulls 11 a.m. Friday; livestock auction 10:30 a.m. Saturday; and cheese auction at 2 p.m. July 16.

• Several local performing bands will be at the historic and bicentennial stages. There will also be karaoke, karate demonstration, history of Mosquito Lake program and natural history of Bazetta program.

SOURCE: Trumbull County Fair Board