Times Observer file photo Hiram Nagel and Poetry in Motion wait outside KeyBank Pavilion for the jersey junior yearling showing at this year’s Warren County Fair.

The 91st year of the Warren County Fair is in the books and it was a success.

The year started off with a roller-coaster of news for the Fair.

In December, the Fair Board was notified that its carnival ride provider would be unable to fulfill that agreement. After searching far and wide, the Fair announced in March that rides would not be a part of this year’s Fair.

Then, in May, Penn Valley Shows came to the rescue.

“Penn Valley Shows did an excellent job, stepping up to help us this year,” Warren County Fair President Dale Bliss said. “Because they were also in Huntington County at the same time as our fair, they could only provide us a limited amount of rides, games and food concessions.”

“Despite that, they entertained capacity crowds,” Bliss said.

A week ago, the Fair signed Penn Valley to a long-term contract.

“This past Friday, we mutually agreed to sign a five-year contract to bring their full carnival unit to our fair,” Bliss said. “We’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

The midway was working with capacity crowds because attendance was high.

“The weather was absolutely perfect for Fair week,” Bliss said. “We’re still gathering information on attendance. We expect that this past fair will be one of our best.”

He said there were many exhibitors and the crowds were more than happy with the entertainment. “Great concerts,” Bliss said. “The new ATV Flat Track Racing on Tuesday was a big hit. Modified Tractor pulls on Friday and Stock Car football were both packed to capacity, as was the rodeo and draft horse pulling.”

“And our campground was full with happy campers,” he said.