One of the highlights of the opening night of the 2016 Adams County Fair was the appearance of many of the Junior Fair Queens from the past 50 years. The past queens appeared in the opening parade and then were part of the audience at the 2016 Queen Pageant. Here, they are pictured with 2016 Queen Caitlin Young, center, who was crowned in ceremonies on Sunday evening at the fairgrounds.
One of the highlights of the opening night of the 2016 Adams County Fair was the appearance of many of the Junior Fair Queens from the past 50 years. The past queens appeared in the opening parade and then were part of the audience at the 2016 Queen Pageant. Here, they are pictured with 2016 Queen Caitlin Young, center, who was crowned in ceremonies on Sunday evening at the fairgrounds.

2016 Opening Night will go down as a success –

Story and photos by Patricia Beech –

The gates of the 125th Adams County Fair opened on Sunday evening to a record crowd.
According to Fair Board President Liz Lafferty, more than 4,000 people rolled through the gates for the fair’s opening night, slowing traffic into the fairgrounds to a snail’s pace as fairgoers jockeyed for parking spaces along with the entrance of a large number of demolition derby cars.

From Farm Credit Mid-America and honored on the opening night of the fair with the Friend of 4-H Award were, from left, Rudi Pitzer Perry, Cara Lawson, Lindsay Bloom, and Heather Simpkins.
From Farm Credit Mid-America and honored on the opening night of the fair with the Friend of 4-H Award were, from left, Rudi Pitzer Perry, Cara Lawson, Lindsay Bloom, and Heather Simpkins.

Emcee Don Bowles from C103 Radio presided over the Opening Ceremonies and the crowning of the Queen and her court in the center ring, while Demolition Derby fans cheered on their favorite “Smash It” and “Street Stock” cars in the Demolition Arena.
Caitlin Young, daughter of Chris and Marla Young of Seaman, was crowned the 2016 Junior Fair Queen.
“All of the girls who competed tonight are really great people,” Young said, praising her competitors. “I can’t believe I won.” A senior-to-be at North Adams High School, Young plans to  attend Marshall University to study Pharmacology.

The 2016 Queen’s Court included: First Runner up – Sarah McFarland, Second Runner up – Molly Bauman, Third Runner up – McKayla Smith, and Fourth Runner up – Jordan Crum. Young and her court were joined by 27 former Junior Fair Queens in the center ring, including the first Queen Nancy Fields Shupert, crowned in 1966. Young became the 50th Adams County Junior Fair Queen.

Part of the entertainment on the opening night of the fair was singer-songwriter Patrick Roush from Lynchburg, Ohio.
Part of the entertainment on the opening night of the fair was singer-songwriter Patrick Roush from Lynchburg, Ohio.

During the opening ceremonies, Fair Board president Liz Lafferty recognized the Jack McCoy family of Peebles, named the Outstanding Fair Supporters for their contribution to the renovation of the fairground’s grandstand. and other contributors to the fair and the local 4-H programs were also honored.
The McCoy family also served as Grand Marshals for the annual Fair Parade earlier in the day. The hour-long procession featured several 4-H Club floats, horseback riders; fire engines and emergency rescue vehicles, local law enforcement, and farm machinery, and more participants of all kinds. State Senator Joe Uecker, Commissioner Paul Worley, and candidate for Commissioner Diane Ward joined the cavalcade as it traveled down Main Street on its way to the fairgrounds.

Pictured here are the 2016 Adams County Junior Fair Queen and her Court. From left, Molly Bauman, Second Runner-Up; Sarah McFarland, First Runner-Up; Queen Caitlin Young; McKayla Smith, Third Runner-Up; and Jordan Crum, Fourth Runner-Up.
Pictured here are the 2016 Adams County Junior Fair Queen and her Court. From left, Molly Bauman, Second Runner-Up; Sarah McFarland, First Runner-Up; Queen Caitlin Young; McKayla Smith, Third Runner-Up; and Jordan Crum, Fourth Runner-Up.

The evening’s country music entertainment was provided Patrick Roush of Lynchburg, Ohio opening for David Tucker of Augusta, Ky. in performances in the center ring. The first day of the 2016 Fair was a busy one with Toddler and Little Miss and Mister Contests, the Adams County Born and Raised Steer Show, plus an Open Feeder Calf Show.