It’s that time of the year here in Darke County, as the annual ritual since 1853, known as the Great Darke County Fair, once again resumes to the delight of thousands of West Central Ohio fairgoers. A yearly vacation destination for many it’s a blend of agriculture, midways, horse racing, tractor pulls, entertainment, displays, food, community pride, and social gatherings that is marked on family calendars in capital letters. Speaking of food, what are your fair favorites and must-haves?
Another tradition that occurs throughout the summer and around fair time is that of high school class reunions. It seems like fair week is peak season for Darke County get-togethers of many schools, Greenville being at the forefront with twelve classes renewing acquaintances from the first Friday of the fair on the 15th through the second Saturday on the 23rd. Always a great time for those who attend!!
High school football scrimmages are swinging into high gear as teams prepare for the first games of the year, starting Thursday, the 21st. Two scrimmages of interest among many are the Patriots of Tri-Village visiting Greenville’s Wave in the first football outing on the turf of the new Alumni Stadium at 6:00 Thursday while Versailles Tigers host perennial power Kettering Alter the same evening, also at 6:00. Check local schedules for all other scrimmages taking place this week; you can almost feel a little bit of fall weather in the air if only in your mind!
Continuing in the football mode, be sure to watch the upcoming “Talk of the Town” program on MyCountyLink, as videographer Nick Schmidt and I spent time with Greenville Athletic Director Aaron Shaffer and toured the Wave athletic complex in the City Park. I think you’ll enjoy some inside information and looks at the Jennings track complex, tennis courts, Fieldhouse, and, of course, the new Alumni Stadium. There are no finer facilities for a school the size of Greenville in West Central Ohio!
Did you happen to catch the 70-yard field goal made by the Jaguars’ Cam Little to end the first half of the preseason game with the Steelers? It won’t count as an NFL record, however, as it wasn’t a regular season game, but it was truly noteworthy—Little kicked it from his own 40-yard line, and it cleared with a few yards to spare. That’s a decent sand wedge for most people! Here’s a trivia question—who holds the NFL record for the longest field goal made during the regular season or playoffs?
Don’t look now but those Cleveland Guardians are on a roll and have closed within six games of the AL Central leading Tigers after trailing by double digits just a few short weeks ago. Two other teams that have been red-hot lately are the Mariners who’ve pulled within a half game of the Astros in the AL West and the Brewers who have a MLB best 73 wins and a five and a half game advantage over the Cube in the NL Central. Most teams have fewer than 45 contests left on the schedule so, as always, the next seven weeks will be exciting as the pennant chases heat up.
Hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy watching both the boys’ and girls’ Little League World Series on ESPN and ABC. Youthful enthusiasm and talent is on display as 12- and 13-year olds take to the diamond (the young ladies from Pennsylvania defeated the team from Indiana in Sunday’s softball championship game played in Greenville, North Carolina by a 1-0 count) while the boys travel to venerable Williamsport, Pennsylvania to settle things on the baseball diamond this week. Check it out, these kids are well worth watching!
There was music for everyone’s taste in Greenville the past few nights. On Thursday night the final YOLO Park concert of the summer was held with a large crowd in attendance for some hard-driving rock and roll. The Flannels, fronted by vocalist and Greenville native Justin Sommer, otherwise known as the Director of Economic Development for Preble County, put on a high-powered performance that still has a few downtown buildings vibrating. Meanwhile, Sunday evening saw another stellar City Park Band show at the Marling Band Shell in front of over 500 or so appreciative followers. The band has a few Sunday shows through Labor Day, including playing Thursday night at the horse races at the Fair. Lots of fine musicians here in Darke County!
Justin Tucker, late of the Baltimore Ravens, holds the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal against the Lions in 2021. The veteran Tucker, who also holds the current mark for field goal accuracy by being successful on 89.1% of his attempts, is currently a free agent after being cut by the Ravens. He is serving a league suspension through the first ten weeks of the season and won’t be eligible to play until November 11th as a result of a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
Enjoy the Fair and all of the many activities taking place around the West Central Ohio and Eastern Indiana area as the days of summer start to shorten. Stay active and healthy!!
