All’s fair in Ohio.
We’ve waited far too long for cotton candy, elephant ears, corn dogs, carnival fries, funnel cakes, snow cones, root beer floats and deep-fried candy bars.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced county fair boards to cancel or curtailevents last year, things are looking much brighter this summer.
Mark your calendars. The Akron-Canton region is about to get overrun with tractor pulls, bucking broncos, country crooners and auto races. We could all use a good demolition derby right about now, couldn’t we?
Events are subject to change, of course, but here’s a rough idea of what to expect as county fairs gear up.
Be sure to check fair schedules for details. Animal exhibits, livestock shows, music programs, dance demonstrations, pageants, contests, sales and other activities are included with admission unless otherwise noted.
Bring your appetite (and maybe some hand sanitizer). It’s fair time!
SUMMIT COUNTY (July 27-Aug. 1)
Fairgrounds: 229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Gate admission: $7 for ages 9 or older, $3 for ages 2 to 8. Tuesday: Seniors and first responders pay $3. Wednesday: Veterans and active military pay $3. Thursday: Children 14 or younger get free admission. Friday: Bring a box or can of food and receive $4 fair admission.
Ride hours: Rides open one hour after gate opens. Safety break from 4 to 5 p.m. daily. Rides close at 10 p.m.
Ride tickets: All-day passes: $15 daily except for $10 on Thursday. All-week passes: $50. Individual ride tickets are available.
Grandstand events:
7:30 p.m. July 27: Motocross. Tickets $5.
7:30 p.m. July 28: Demolition and compact derby. Tickets $8 to $10.
7:30 p.m. July 29: Demolition derby. Tickets $8 to $10.
7:30 p.m. July 30: Truck pulls. Tickets $8.
7 p.m. July 31: Tractor pulls. Tickets $7.
4 p.m. Aug. 1: KOI drag racing. Tickets $5.
For more information, visitsummitfair.com, call 330-633-6200 or emailsummitcofair2@gmail.com.
MEDINA COUNTY (Aug. 2-8)
Fairgrounds: 720 W. Smith Road, Medina.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Gate admission: $7 for 12 or older, $3 for ages 2 through 11 and free for under age 2. $3 for senior citizens. Veterans get free admission Monday. Students 11 or younger get free admission Wednesday. First responders get free admission Sunday.
Ride hours: 1 to 10:30 p.m. Monday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Ride tickets: All-day passes $18. All-day tickets for kids are $13 on Wednesday.
Sensory Day: 10 to 2 p.m. Sunday. No loud music or lights.
Grandstand events:
7 p.m. Aug. 2: Motocross. Tickets $9.
7 p.m. Tuesday: Autocross. Tickets $9.
7 p.m. Wednesday: Rough truck. Tickets $9.
7 p.m. Aug. 5: Bull riding. Tickets $9.
9 a.m. Aug. 6: Draft horse and pony hitch show. Free.
7 p.m. Aug. 6: Demolition derby. Tickets $9.
7 p.m. Aug. 7: Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association pull. Tickets $10.
9 a.m. Aug. 8: Farm pull. Free.
5 p.m. Aug. 8: KOI drag racing. Tickets $6.
10 p.m. Aug. 8: Fireworks. Free.
For more information, visitmedinaohiofair.com, call 330-723-9633 or emailmedinafair@gmail.com.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY (Aug. 10-15)
Fairgrounds: 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.
Hours: Noon to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Gate admission: $8 Tuesday through Sunday. Free for children 3 or younger. Free for active-duty military. Admission after 9:30 p.m.: $3.
Ride tickets: All-day passes $25. Single tickets $1 or 50 tickets for $45. Small rides cost three or four tickets. Large rides cost four to six tickets.
Grandstand events: The entertainment schedule is still being lined up. More information will be announced soon.
For more information, visitcuyfair.com, call 440-243-0090 or emailinfo@cuyfair.com.
PORTAGE COUNTY (Aug. 24-29)
Fairgrounds: 4215 Fairground Road, Randolph.
Hours: Gates open at 7 a.m. daily. Display buildings open at 10 a.m. The fair closes at 11 p.m.
Gate admission: $6 for adults, free for children under 10. Free admission Friday for senior citizens and veterans. Season passes: $25.
Ride hours: Noon to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Ride tickets: Daily passes $15. Weekly passes $55 atrandolphfair.com. Individual ride tickets are also available for $1 each.
Grandstand events:
7:30 p.m. Aug. 24-25: Demolition derby: Tickets $10.
7 p.m. Aug. 26: Truck, semi and tractor pulls. Tickets $10.
7 p.m. Aug. 27: Western-style tractor pulls. Tickets $10.
7 p.m. Aug. 28. Sanctioned tractor and truck pulls. Tickets $10.
3:30 p.m. Aug. 29: Rough truck contest. Tickets $10.
For more information, visitrandolphfair.com, call 330-325-1311 or emailoffice@randolphfair.com.
STARK COUNTY (Aug. 31-Sept. 6)
Fairgrounds:305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton.
Gate admission: $7. Kids under 3 admitted free.
Unlimited rides: $16. Single tickets ($1.50) and ticket packages ($15 for 10 and $25 for 20) are available. Dollar day: All rides are $1 each on Sept. 6.
Discounts: Reduced gate price of $5 on Aug. 31 and Sept. 6. Senior citizen discount of $5 on Aug. 31. Children’s discount of $1 gate and $10 rides on Sept. 3 for kids 14 or younger with adult. Military personnel receive free gate admission Sept. 6 withID.
Ride schedule: Kiddie rides open at noon and adult rides open at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All rides open at noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All rides close at 7 p.m. Monday.
Grandstand events:
8 p.m. Sept. 1: Mitchell Tenpenny. Tickets: $10 to $30.
8 p.m. Sept. 2: Justin Moore. Tickets $20 to $45.
7 p.m. Sept. 3-4: Tractor pull. Tickets: $10.
7:30 p.m. Sept. 5: Demolition derby. Tickets $10 to $12.
4:30 p.m. Sept. 6: Demolition derby. Tickets: $10-$12.
For more information, visitstarkcountyfair.com, call 330-452-0621 or emailoffice@starkcountyfair.com.
WAYNE COUNTY (Sept. 11-16)
Fairgrounds: 199 Vanover St., Wooster.
Hours: Gates open at 8 a.m. Fair closes at 10 p.m.
Gate admission: $4. Children 6 or younger free. Veterans can get in free with ID on Tuesday. Senior citizens can get in free on Wednesday. Season tickets: $20.
Ride schedule and all-day passes: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday ($18); noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday ($13); 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday ($18). All-week rides: $50. Rides $1 per ticket or 12 for $10. Major rides requirefour tickets.
Grandstand events:
7 p.m. Sept. 11: Truck, tractor and semi pulls. Tickets: $11 to $15.
8 p.m. Sept. 12: Parmalee. Tickets $20 to $25.
8 p.m. Sept. 13: Crowder. Tickets $20 to $25.
8 p.m. Sept. 14: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Tickets $20 to $25.
7 p.m. Sept. 15: Buckeye Rodeo. Tickets $11 to $15.
7 p.m. Sept. 16: Demolition derby. Tickets $11 to $13.
For more information, visitwaynecountyfairohio.com, call 330-262-8001 or emailwaynecountyfair@yahoo.com.
