Canfield Fairgrounds facts for kids
The Canfield Fairgrounds is a big piece of land, about 353 acres, located in Canfield, Ohio. Every summer, it's home to the week-long Canfield Fair. But it's not just for the fair! Throughout the year, the fairgrounds also host many other fun events. These include dog shows, exciting fireworks displays, 5k races, hayrides, and various community gatherings.
History of the Canfield Fair
The very first fair at the Canfield Fairgrounds happened way back in 1846. It was called the Mahoning County Fair, but most people know it as the Canfield Fair. It started because a group called the Mahoning County Agricultural Society wanted to teach people more about farming.
Today, the Canfield Fair is super popular! It's the second largest fair in all of Ohio, right after the Ohio State Fair. It's also the biggest county fair in the entire state. In recent years, about 350,000 people visit the fair each year. That's like 60,000 visitors every single day!
Besides all the yummy food, fun games, and thrilling rides, the fair has a famous spot called the Grandstands. This is where big events and concerts happen. Over the years, the Grandstands have hosted exciting shows like monster truck rallies, demolition derbies, and horse races. Many famous musicians and performers have also played there.
Here are some of the well-known artists who have performed at the Canfield Fair:
- Bob Hope
- Dolly Parton
- Rascal Flatts
- The Beach Boys
- The Monkees
- "Weird Al" Yankovic
- Brad Paisley
- The Goo Goo Dolls
- The Band Perry
- Pentatonix
And many more!
NASCAR Racing at Canfield
Did you know the Canfield Fairgrounds also has a history with car racing? In 1950, a half-mile dirt track called Canfield Speedway was located here. It hosted a big race for NASCAR's top division on May 30th.
A driver named Jimmy Florian won the pole position, meaning he started at the very front. The race winner was Bill Rexford. What's cool is that Bill Rexford went on to win the NASCAR Championship that year! This win at Canfield was his only victory of the season. It's pretty rare for a driver to win the championship with just one race win.
