Staff photos / R. Michael Semple Employees of Tri-Son Tent Rentals in Warren set up tents Thursday for the Trumbull County Fair, which begins Tuesday. From left are Jason Gromley, Ryan Merrfield, co-owner Christopher Graham (on ladder), co-owner Jason Graham and Tony Mazzi.

BAZETTA — It may have been raining a few days last week, but Trumbull County Fair Board Director Jan Solomon said that’s OK — it makes the grass at the fairgrounds look good.

The Trumbull County Fair is set to return for its 175th year after falling victim to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Well, we’ve been hearing that people are ready to kind of like cut loose and do what they used to do, and we’ve heard a lot of positive things that we’ll probably see a crowd even on the first day,” Solomon said.

Solomon said after a year without “hardly anything to bring in money,” fair board members and their families have been pitching in to spruce up the grounds in the weeks leading up to the opening.

The fair will see less participation from clubs than in the past — likely due to fallout of the pandemic — with about 320 4-H members signed up this year compared to more than 500 in 2019, Solomon said.

“We know we’re down in numbers in our Junior Fair area, but they’ve adapted and they’re working really hard,” Solomon said.

Kylie Jackson, 17, of Sharpsville, Pa., a five-year 4-H member with Touch of Class, said more work has been done this year because usual maintenance like painting and filling holes wasn’t done last year.

“We have a work party every Thursday, where we paint and pick weeds and just get our stall ready and our decorations. It’s a lot of work,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she was upset last year to see the fair canceled but is “really excited” to be back this year with her 13-year-old quarterhorse, Mia.

Allison Redman, 17, of Bazetta, also a Touch of Class 4-H member, helped pull weeds outside the Junior Fair Board office last week in preparation for the fair.

“As soon as I started seeing the rides come up and everything, I got so excited. I can’t wait,” Redman said.

Redman will show her two horses, Bo and Diablo, this week at the county fair before taking off for the state competition, which begins July 19.

All over the 162-acre grounds, people have been getting ready. Trees were trimmed, barns were painted and signs were hung.

Christopher Graham with Tri-Son Tent Rentals and his crew were working to raise approximately 30 tents.

“It’s wonderful. Everything is back to normal now,” Graham said. “People are ready to have a good time, ride some rides, eat some good food — get some shade underneath these tents.”

Graham said last year’s cancellation was “heartbreaking.”

“It hurt everyone, from no one having work to our family business suffered from not doing the tents. It was rough, but we made it through.”

The fair will have its usual fan-favorite events, including the truck and tractor pull, demolition derby, rodeo, KOI drag racing, harness racing and fireworks.

For a schedule of events and other information, visit www.trumbullcountyfair.com.