HILLSBORO, Ohio — The Highland County Health Department has placed 15 hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations around the county fairgrounds this week, urging fairgoers to scrub up after touching animals and before eating as the 2026 Highland County Fair continues.
The department said in a Facebook post that it set up seven hand-washing stations and eight hand-sanitizing stations across the fairgrounds, calling the combination of “big crowds, lots of animals, and lots of good food” the “perfect recipe for germs to spread if we’re not careful.”
This year’s fair, put on by the Highland County Agricultural Society, runs Sept. 6 through Sept. 12 at the Highland County Fairgrounds, 604 John St. in Hillsboro. The grounds have hosted the county fair since 1947, after businessman Birch Riber deeded 20 acres of land to Highland County commissioners for use as a permanent agricultural fairground.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that fairgoers wash their hands with soap and running water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available, after touching animals, animal enclosures or barns. The agency says contact with fair animals can expose visitors to germs such as E. coli and salmonella, and it advises fair organizers to place hand-washing stations in transition areas between animal exhibits and food concessions to reduce the risk of illness.
The health department encouraged residents to take in the fair’s animals, rides and food booths while making use of the stations throughout the day.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Highland County Health Department.
