September 16, 2009 – Our Town – Delaware

Ohio Wesleyan Sponsors Horse Race at Little Brown Jug
Year #4 for OWU

Image courtesy of the Delaware County Agricultural Society

This is the fourth year the University has sponsored a race at The Little Brown Jug horse races. This year the University-sponsored race, the New Century Championship Three-Year-Old Colt Pace, is scheduled to occur around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, which is “Jug Day” at the fair.

“It is great fun to stand in the Winner’s Circle and present the trophy to the winner,” President Jones says. “It’s not in the President’s job description, nor something I had ever thought about being asked to do, but I enjoyed stepping in to the Winner’s Circle and seeing the happiness on the faces of the winners of the race last year.”

Delaware County Fair General Manager Phil Terry ’71 says he is happy to have OWU’s sponsorship and involvement in the fair this year. “I think it’s great,” Terry says. Terry admits he has enjoyed having the community and the University involved with the fair. In past years, he has worked with the Ross Art Museum on an exhibit of lithographs on loan to the fair and the Woltemade Center for Economics on surveying fair attendees.

“OWU is proud to participate in a variety of events in the community of Delaware throughout the year,” President Jones says. “The Delaware County Fair and Brown Jug race are among the highlights of the year for our community. Our sponsorship of one of the races allows us to join arms with the community to continue this important local tradition.

“I encourage students to take advantage of this great local tradition and visit the fair one evening,” President Jones suggests. “It is a wonderful representation of a great American tradition. And the horse races are among the most competitive and exciting harness races in the country.”

The Delaware County Fair opens on Saturday, Sept. 19, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 26. Horse racing begins on Sunday, Sept. 20 and ends on Thursday, Sept. 24 “Jug Day” with the running of the 64th Little Brown Jug race. Ohio Wesleyan’s presence will be known at the track with signage on the track and the pavilion and University dignitaries present. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend.

Admission to the fair is $5, except on Jug Day when admission is $20 per person. Special tickets must be purchased for reserved seats in the pavilion. Tickets can be purchased at the fair office, 236 Pennsylvania Avenue, Delaware, or call 740-362-3851 for more information.

“I think Ohio Wesleyan students would enjoy coming to the fair and seeing this part of Delaware,” Terry says. “I think they will have a good time. I know I did when I was a student.”

For more information visit www.littlebrownjug.com and www.delawarecountyfair.com.

– Andrea Strle ’99