The dedication of the Ridenour Family Livestock Arena featured a ribbon cutting ceremony with Jim Ridenour doing the honors of cutting the ribbon. He was joined by family members and the Meigs County Fair Board members. From the left, front, are Buddy Ervin, Branden Werry, board members; Melanie Ridenour, John Ridenour, June Ridenour, Jim Riodenour, and Janet Ridenour, and more board members, Karen Werry, Janie Fitch, Brent Rose, and Sam Evans; and back, Bob Callaway, Steve Swatzel,Tom Pullins, Ed Holter, Wes Karr, Kenny Buckley, Dave Watson, Brian Windon, and Larry Life.

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POMEROY — Dedication of the new 60x100 foot Ridenour Family Livestock Arena was a highlight of opening ceremonies for the 149th Meigs County Fair Sunday on the Rock Springs Fairgrounds.

4-H members who show their animals and use the show ring for numerous other activities, along with their parents and friends were on the new bleachers along the sides of the show ring to join in the opening celebration of the spacious facility.

The new showring came as a result of a financial gift from the Jim Ridenour family. Donations toward the purchase of the bleachers were from Farmers Bank, Home National Bank, and the Ohio Valley Veterinarian Clinic with a contribution toward additional bleachers or other improvements from the Ohio Valley Bank.

Donations for the corral panels around the show ring were made by the 4-Fun 4-H Club, the Lakeside Leaders, the Better Livestock Diary Club, the Salem Center Go-Getters, past and present.

Ridenour family members participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Lowell Ridenour, Melanie Rider, John Ridenour, June and Jim Ridenour who cut the ribbon, and Janet Ridenour.

Following the ribbon cutting, Kelley Grueser, who serves as the official county fair veterinarian, spoke briefly on animal care and also addressed the issue of swine flu. He stressed the need for thorough hand washing and advised that food not be taken into the livestock barns, mentioning that swine flu is transmitted animal to human.

Since swine flu has been an issue at several county fairs, he advised using the hand washing machines which have been installed on the fairgrounds on a regular basis. Five are located in the area of the livestock barns, two are located near the grandstand and barn areas on the fairgrounds lower level and another is on the midway near eating places.