Kids scream with joy on the Fire Ball.
Parents laugh together.
People walk around giving each other hugs.
For a week, the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair brings the whole county together.
Residents come back year after year to enjoy all the good times at the fair. Some say it’s their favorite time of the year, like a family reunion.
Gilbert Goldsmith, Franklin resident of three and a half years, has been coming to the county fair ever since. He said his wife, and sister in-law will join him at the fair. It’s a tradition for his family to come to the fair and take a seat on the bench, with a cold treat of homemade ice cream and mingle with other local residents.
“I just enjoy, just to be here, watching people socialize,” Goldsmith said.
Goldsmith believes the fair is a perfect size and perfect environment for residents to come out and just be themselves on the fairgrounds.
“Keep it safe … we got a good police department, sheriff and the city police that keeps us safe,” Goldsmith said.
Many local residents feel comfortable on the grounds and recognize all the work that is put into the fair. Laura Goodwin, has lived in Greenwood her whole life but decided to attend the fair for the first time this year.
“(My) favorite memory so far is just seeing the kids having fun and seeing all the hard work that kids put in at the fair … They’re doing a good job, it’s nice, clean and fun for everybody,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin said her kids enjoy seeing all the animals and the different projects that were made by the youth of Johnson County.
Trisha Brown, of Whiteland, has been going to the fair since she was a little girl and said she is excited to bring her kids to the fair.
“Now I get to bring my kids here and just enjoy seeing my kids happy, for those that haven’t been at the fair should try the homemade ice cream,” Trisha Brown said.
Heidi and Brandon Burton, of Franklin, said they’ve been attending the county fair for a couple decades now.
Heidi Burton has been attending the fair since she was a little girl and looks forward to the county fair because it’s a time for her to catch up with some old friends.
“It’s almost like a family reunion because you get to see people you don’t get to see often … You get to see people from the whole entire county that you just don’t see all the time,” Heidi Burton said.
For the Burtons, the demolition derby is a Johnson County fair staple.
“Johnson County is known for the demolition derby and you should definitely come and watch if you can,” Brandon Burton said.
Another favorite is the midway.
“Definitely walk in Midway, it’s just a lot of fun stuff to see, different games and check out the booths, then if you’re available at the end of the fair go to the demolition derby,” Heidi Burton said.
The Johnson County fair, with all of its food, rides, and games is the classic end of summer experience for families like the Burtons, she said.
“I’m pretty enthusiastic about it because it’s my favorite time of the whole summer but it’s just a little sad because it’s the marker of the end of the summer, and kids will be going to school soon, but I love coming to the fair, I come every day,” Heidi Burton said.
