Celebrating 149 years of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair

GOSHEN, Ind. -- The Elkhart County 4-H Fair is expected to see record-breaking attendance, according to fair board members.

15-year-old Jason Bauta has been coming to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair his entire life.

“Everybody who lives around here comes to 4-H,” Bauta said.

The fair, in its 149th year, offers carnival food, rides, and games.

Kelly Ropp is a former president of the fair, and has been a leader for the fair for over three decades. She said the fair brings revenue dollars to the community every year.

It is something families have counted on for generations, and businesses bank on each year.

“[Visitors] stay in the hotels, they eat in the restaurants, and, of course, they eat here at the grounds,” Ropp said.

All the preparations were a little more expensive this year, with vendors feeling the impacts of inflation.

“Everything has gone up,” Ropp said. “It’s amazing. Even paper supplies, trash bags, simple things as that.”

She hopes the turnout, and guest experience, makes up for the upfront costs.