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SMITHFIELD -- A special concert has been added to the lineup of activities at the Jefferson County Fair.
The Faith, Family and Freedom Show will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Rozsa Pavilion.
Presented by the Smithfield Township Community Advisory Committee in conjunction with the fair board, the two-hour show will feature the Messengers Band from Harrisville Methodist Church. The band will perform patriotic favorites along with original faith-based songs.
Band members include Brian Dawes (bass guitar), Ryan Hoover (drums), Dustin Kinsey (keyboard), Ken Staley (guitar) and Roger Warren (saxophone). Joining the band throughout the evening will be special guests Elmer Borsos, Kipp Bowers, Drew Case, Eva Hallock, Dennis Kinsey, Marty Packer, Denise Rector, Jim Rector, Dean Rutan, Dan Smallwood and Rob Whinnery.
Members of area American Legion posts will present the colors and participate in a tribute to the American flag during the show’s finale. All veterans in attendance will be recognized during the veterans section in the second act.
The program also will include a family segment and a road trip across the USA.
Skits will include “George Washington’s Dream” and Red Skelton’s “Pledge to the Flag.” The show will include a 15-minute intermission following the first act.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Ron Retzer Trio.
This year’s fair, the 155th edition, will run Aug. 17-23 at the Friendship Park fairgrounds. The theme is “Celebrating 250 Years of America’s Freedom.”
Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Rozsa Pavilion. They will include the crowning of the junior fair royalty and a performance by Glori Dami.
Activities will begin Aug. 14 with the Cloverbud program. On Aug. 15, the groom and clean will begin at 10 a.m. in the horse arena, followed by the Special Olympics Unified Livestock Show at noon in the livestock arena. The antique and farm stock pull will begin at 4 p.m. in the grandstand area.
Events on Aug. 16 include the open horse show at 9 a.m. and the 4-H awards presentation and style review at 6 p.m. Another highlight will be the annual cheer competition at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the North Field.
Admission to the fair is $15 and includes rides and entertainment. A season pass, which includes six admissions but not rides, costs $50. Ride bands will be available for $15.
Children ages 24 months and younger will be admitted free, although rides are not included. Senior citizens ages 70 and older will receive free admission with proof of age, excluding rides. Golden Buckeye cardholders will receive free admission Aug. 18, and veterans with valid identification will be admitted free Aug. 22.
A $10 membership pass includes eligibility to vote for members of the board of directors. The election will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 20 at the senior fair office.
Lisko Amusements will provide the rides. They will operate from 2 p.m. until closing Aug. 18-21 and from noon until closing Aug. 22-23.