Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
It’s time to go to a county fair!
Ohio has a total of 94 county fairs, plus the Ohio State Fair. All of these fairs take place over five months, beginning in June and ending in early October. Here in Northeast Ohio, many of our fairs are in August and, unfortunately, a few of them are occurring within the same week! The Cuyahoga, Erie and Ashtabula County Fairs are all running this year from August 9-14. The Medina County Fair is August 1-7 and the Stark and Geauga County fairs will be kicking off August 30 through September 5. If you haven’t yet visited the Ohio State Fair, you still have time, now through August 7.
The Great Geauga County Fair is Ohio’s oldest, as the first one was held in 1823. It was formed by the Geauga County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society, which is still active today. Just a bit south of us in Mahoning County is the Canfield County Fair, which is the largest county fair in Ohio, as well as the third-largest in the United States. It was established in 1846 and its rooster logo, along with the line “Something to Crow About” has been its trademark since 1962. The fairgrounds cover 350 acres and will be held August 31-September 5.
The county fair offers something for everyone and is a staple of American life. Most have large barns and buildings which house many different farm animals and showcase the year’s harvest. Competitions for the largest and best vegetable/fruit, best tasting pie and other baked goods, and livestock judging take place with ribbons awarded for the prized title of “Best in Show.”
Bring along a stroller if you are taking little ones and also pack water, hats and sunscreen. We always used those little clip-on fans for the strollers, which created a wonderful breeze while walking in the animal barns to keep everyone cool on a hot day!
Can’t-miss fair activities include:
Enjoying fair food! Our favorite is the elephant ear, topped with cinnamon sugar… a delectable huge piece of cinnamon-drenched fried dough to share with all in your group. The grandkids also enjoy anything deep-fried and on a stick! To quench your thirst, try one of those fresh-squeezed lemonades.
Grandstand events, such as the tractor pull, demolition derby and horse racing are very entertaining to watch and hold the children’s attention.
Walking through the animal pavilions to view all the different cattle and barnyard creatures is always a 
favorite. It is amazing to see all the different breeds of chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. Some are even for sale, so beware of the onslaught of requests, “We want one!” There are so many sheep, cows and goats to pet, along with all the horses whose noses stick over their stalls to greet you as you pass by.
Don’t forget about the fair rides and carnival games. Play at least one of these to try your luck and win a prize. Even reaching in to pull out a floating duck is thrilling for a younger grandchild.
Especially attractive to our boys is the tractor and motor pavilion, where the old farm equipment is located. They enjoy pretending to be famers and harvesting in the fields. The model train exhibits are also a hit; the engineers will let them drive the trains if you ask. Model train clubs bring their layouts that can span an entire pavilion. It is fun to walk around and see the miniature scenery up close.
So, plan ahead to decide which fair you would like to attend with your grandkids. Choose one close to home, or take a day trip and experience a fair in a different county. You’ll be glad you visited and could very well be the highlight of your summer! Be sure to check the fair’s website for exact times and events of your chosen day. Most fairs have special family and senior discount days, which will reduce your gate entry cost. If you purchase tickets in advance, you can skip waiting in the long lines before entering.
Photos by Karen Shadrach
