As Labor Day fast approaches, it means one thing for the people of Mahoning County: it's almost time for the Canfield Fair.
For the past 168 years, droves of people have traveled to the fairgrounds in Canfield, Ohio, over Labor Day weekend to attend the Mahoning County Fair (though it's usually just called the Canfield Fair). They come from all over – hundreds of thousands of them each year – to enjoy what has become the largest county fair in the state of Ohio.
Growing up in northeast Ohio, there were a few constants in my life: cold winters, Friday night high school football games, and the Canfield Fair.
At the beginning of each September, just before it was time to go back to school, the Canfield Fair was THE place to be. The place to hang out with friends at “The Rock” in front of the Grandstand. The place to devour elephant ears and fried cheese on a stick and helpings of “fair fries” dripping in vinegar, forgetting about the calories. The place to try your hand at carnival games and scream your head off on the Ring of Fire. The place to see giant pumpkins, draft horses, and antique tractors.
The Fair allows visitors to embrace the farm life that permeates this corner of Ohio, and also to bid farewell to yet another Ohio summer.
All the food, games, livestock, and exhibitions can be explored August 27-September 1.
This year's Canfield Fair will feature some exciting and classic Grandstand shows, including:
- The Lucas Oil Monster Truck Nationals (August 27, 7:30 p.m.)
- Demolition Derby (August 29, 8:00 p.m.)
- Harness Racing (August 30, 11:00 a.m.)
- The Canfield Fair Championship Truck & Tractor Pull (August 30, 7:00 p.m.)
The featured performer this year is Reba McEntire, who will perform at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 31.
Daily events include everything from spinning and wood carving demonstrations to live music to cheerleading demonstrations to 4-H farm animal showing and judging.
Some things I will definitely be doing at the fair this year? Eating as much fried food as my stomach will allow, checking out the giant pumpkins, visiting the photography barns, fawning over some draft horses, and relaxing in the Pioneer Village when I need a break from the crowds.
If you've never been to Ohio's largest county fair before, make 2014 your first time!
Gate admission is $6 for adults on Wednesday (8/27) and Monday (9/1), and $8 all other days. Discounts are available for youths and seniors, and kids under 6 are free.
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