Zoo, aquarium visits, motocross among attractions at fairgrounds

ROME TOWNSHIP — Several events are scheduled for the Lawrence County Fairgrounds, as part of the county’s bicentennial celebration over Labor Day weekend.

Bicentennial events are set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 3-Sunday, Sept. 4, concurrent with a motocross at the grandstand Friday and Saturday, Shirley Dyer, of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and the Bicentennial Committee, said.

The fairgrounds will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s events kick off with a visit from the Good New Llamas, run by husband and wife Judy and Tom Ross of Lawrence County. They will have llamas at the grounds for petting and photos, beginning at 10 a.m.

At noon, the Columbus Zoo will be on hand with a traveling animal presentation, followed at 2:30 p.m. by the The Newport Aquarium, who will bring Waves on Wheels to the celebration, featuring a mobile shark tank, penguins and “Scales and Tales.”

Also, on Saturday, The Lawrence County 4-H will host 5K Run and Walk throughout the fairgrounds, starting at 8 a.m.

Registration is $15 for the Kids Race Division (12 and under), and registrants can win a free bicentennial race T-shirt if registered by noon, Aug. 26.

Registration for 13-19 year-old, 20-29 year-old, 30-39 year-old, 40-49 year-old, 50-59 year-old divisions is $25, while registration for the Senior Race Division (60+) is $15, with a shirt available if registered by the deadline. All registrations received after noon on Aug. 29, will still be $25 but will not receive a T-shirts.

All pre-registered participants will receive a pass into the events for Sept. 3. Registration and packet pick up will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the 4-H shelter. Registration can be found online at aptiming.com/race/319.

The zoo will give another presentation at noon Sunday, followed by the aquarium at 2:30 p.m. The llamas will make a return visit at 4:30 p.m.

On Sunday, a senior spelling bee is set to take place at the shelter across the midway from the Payne building, sponsored by the Rome Guys and Gals 4-H Club. Registration for the bee will take place at the fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday. Immediately following the bee, local historian Jean Fuller Butler will give a presentation, portraying her ancestor, Lawrence County pioneer Mary Swain Fuller.

Dyer said the weekend events will also feature food vendors, as well as booths from nonprofit organizations.

“We’re going to have a section for them, with a few spots set up so they display or advertise what they do,” she said.

In addition, there will be a cornhole tournament, sponsored by Ironton-Lawrence County CAO Medical Centers, with registration starting at 10 a.m. each day. The first place winner of the tournament will take home $100, with $75 going to second place and $50 to third.

A juried arts show will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Dyer said those interested in entering can call the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce for information.

Science programs will be offered by Lawrence County’s Tri-State STEM school, and free health screenings will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day, sponsored by Ironton-Lawrence County CAO Medical Centers. Games, inflatables and children’s activities will also be offered.

Admission to the fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday is $1, with $1 for parking.

A motocross will take place on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the grandstand. Admission to the motocross is $10. Those who attend the event on Saturday will have their admission to the bicentennial events covered with the motocross admission.