The Fayette County Agricultural Society released a schedule of events for 2016 and said they hope to receive the community’s support as they continue remodeling.
The first major event for 2016 will be the Smokin’ Ham Band performing at the Mahan Building on the Fayette County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and refreshments and a cash bar will be available. The cost is $10 a ticket. This group is new to the Mahan Building but has played in the county before, according to secretary Faith Cottrill.
Based out of London, they are seven accomplished musicians with a true love for country music and folks everywhere who enjoy a great live performance. Their mixture of authentic instruments for the genre and pure vocal talent, combined with the discipline of playing together for many years, ensures that patrons get a Nashville-quality performance each and every time with the SHB.
School buddies Rod Mouser and Keith Howard formed The Smokin’ Ham Band in 1987 and have never missed a show or canceled a scheduled event. The band they have assembled today represents Ohio’s finest musicians in both character of person and musical ability, according to their website. Band members include Randall Morris on drums, Keith Howard on bass guitar, Rod Mouser, lead vocalist and on acoustic guitar, Dan McKinney on lead guitar, Darwin (Dr. Wong) Conley vocalist and on guitar, Brian Myers on the fiddle and Phil Perry on pedal steel guitar.
“They have never played here on the fairgrounds before,” Cottrill said during an interview Tuesday. “I didn’t know about them, but we watched their video on their website and they are really good. This event is sponsored, and the full list of sponsors will be announced soon. We are wanting to finish our remodel here on the breezeway. So far we have the other buildings, the Mahan and Fine Arts, finished, but if we can get the backing of the community like we always have, then we will be able to finish this stretch of building. We are hoping to have that remodel done by the spring.”
Another big addition to the event schedule for 2016 is the Scott Antique Market, courtesy of Don Scott. After looking at a few surrounding counties to hold this “Antique Extravaganza,” Scott decided that the design and feel of the fairgrounds was what he was looking for, according to Cottrill. Scott, who has rented the entire fairgrounds for the event, has nearly filled all of the vendor spots available. This event will be held on April 29 through May 1.
Additionally, the market will return three other times this year, June 24 through 26, Aug. 26 through 28 and Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. According to Cottrill, Scott has signed on to bring this market back to Fayette County every year until 2020.
“This is really going to be a good event, I am sure,” Cottrill said. “If people remember how flea markets used to be years ago, where it was packed up and down the highway, this event will remind you of those old flea markets. We really want to encourage the community to come out and enjoy this event. He is going to be bringing some food vendors, but he asked me if there was anything we wanted and I thought it would be nice to have some locals there serving as well. So The Willow, Cattle Feeders, the Catholic booth and the Miami Trace Panther booth will be open serving food during the events.”
Other events including a Wire-up Derby on May 21, a Truck Pull on June 4, Open Class entries on July 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the 137th edition of the Fayette County Fair will be held from July 18-23. More announcements will be made on all of the events, including sponsor lists, updated attractions, times and more. Stay with the Record-Herald for more information in the coming months.
