BARLOW - Grant Bonnette of Cutler may only be 7 months old, but he's already an experienced parade goer after attending the Washington County Fair Parade and Friday's 2012 Barlow Fair parade.
The fair runs through Sunday at the Barlow Fairgrounds.
"He likes people so he enjoys it," said proud grandmother Ann Bonnette of Cutler, who has been coming to the Barlow Fair parade since 1984.
Article Photos
Photo by Sharon Bopp
The Warren High School Band struts its stuff at the start of Friday’s Barlow Fair parade.
"He hasn't heard the fire trucks yet so I don't know how he's gonna do with that," she said as they waited on the parade route.
Ann Bonnette was enjoying the social aspects of the parade.
"You just get to see all your neighbors you don't normally get to see. Everybody enjoys visiting with everybody," she said.
Fact Box
If You Go
* The Barlow Fair runs through Sunday at the Barlow Fairgrounds.
* The parade had some 600 participants and was expected to draw 2,000-3,000 attendees, according to Pat Amrine, Barlow Fair Board secretary.
TODAY
* 10 a.m.: Draft horse pull
* Noon: Garden tractor pull
* 5:30 p.m.: Feeder calf sale
* 8 p.m.: Zach Paxson
SUNDAY
* 10 a.m.: Church service with Dr. Lloyd Dennis
* Noon: Tug pull
Parade attendee Carol Pinkerton, 67, of Bartlett, didn't mind fire trucks one little bit since she's also helping sell food at the fair as a member of the Wesley Township Volunteer Fire Department auxiliary.
Friday evening's weather had Pinkerton excited although she admitted it was a "little cool."
"At least the rain stayed away," she said.
Donna Farley, 54, of Cutler, had a prime seat near the intersection of Ohio 339 and Ohio 550.
"I've been here since four o'clock and nobody's getting my seat," she laughingly said.
James Merrill, 9, of Coolville, was attending his first Barlow Fair parade.
"I've been to other parades, not this one," Merrill said.
Word of mouth had traveled fast among his family members because he was ready to see some "hillbillies" (the elaborately decorated hillbilly vehicle that took part in the parade) and get some candy.
"I don't care what kind of candy I get just as long as I get candy," said Merrill.
Candy was also on the mind of Roxie Neville, 42, of Waterford, who has been coming to the Barlow Fair and parade for about 40 years and served on the fair board for 16 years.
As a child, she said, "I liked the candy. I still like the candy!"
Neville admitted it was better to watch the parade than be on the fair board.
"It's a whole different kind of a feeling," said Neville. "You get to see the fun side of the parade."
Tom Miles, 59, of Little Hocking, who also served on the fair board for about 20 years, was watching the parade to see his father Jack Miles ride by on the veterans' float.
"He was a (parade) marshal one year," said Miles. "He still helps out with the fair, and he's 87 years old," said Miles.
Evan French, 16, of Vincent, planned to watch the parade - and spend the rest of the evening at the Barlow Fair.
"I'm going over to the fair and enjoying all the things they have like fair food and rides," French said.
The Barlow Fair parade had some 600 participants and was expected to draw 2,000-3,000 attendees, according to Pat Amrine, Barlow Fair Board secretary.
Dr. Lloyd and Yolan Dennis served as parade marshals.
"We tend to look for people who give back to the community," said Bill Mitchell, secretary of the Scenic Hills Lions Club, which sponsors the Barlow Fair parade.
"Dr. Dennis not only provides medical care in the area... but he and his wife also participate in other activities," Amrine said.
The Dennis' are certified lay speakers who speak at many area churches. Dr. Dennis has also done the Sunday morning Barlow Fair service for the past several years.
