Marion County Fair returns to Salem this week with animal showcases, youth exhibitors and petting zoo

Hundreds of goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and pigs will be herded at the Marion County Fair on Wednesday, settling into their pens ahead of opening day.

The annual Marion County Fair is returning to Salem on Thursday, July 9, starting with a reduced admission day, and will run through Sunday. It will have carnival rides, live music, food stands, art vendors and plenty of family entertainment. But animals are the highlight of the local fair,…