Mary Alice Reporting –
With the 173rd Tuscarawas County Fair gathering a large crowd throughout the week of September 18th through the 24th, safety should be a priority.
Not many incidents have happened locally but deputies from the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office will be visible at the local fair, some in uniform and others in plain clothes.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell encourages adults with young children to point out uniformed deputies and the sheriff’s trailer and teach them to go to one or the other if they become lost.
The biggest priority comes with younger children and Campbell recommends taking a picture of a child once the family gets to the fair.
“It’s always scary when a toddler wonders off. There’s so much to see over there. Lights, noises, bells from games, and animals and kids are drawn to that stuff. When we have frantic parents come to us, I can’t tell you how many times they give us clothing description that’s completely wrong.”
Campbell also notes, for older kids, to walk around in groups and have a way to communicate. Another tip is to have a meeting spot and that could be the Sheriff’s trailer located just behind the grandstands, on the barn side.
“If your kids use that as a meeting place, you know they’ll be safe there. It’s kind of right in the center of the fairgrounds. The restrooms are close. It’s just generally a good place right where it divides off to the agricultural side to the left and more the entertainment and food side to the right.”
He points out that the cost for eating has also risen, so parents should ensure youth have plenty of funds if staying there most of the day.
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