Geauga County Fair facts for kids
The Great Geauga County Fair is Ohio's oldest fair that has run every year without stopping. It is also home to one of the oldest farming groups in America. The fair happens every year in Burton, Ohio, during the Labor Day weekend. It's like a big "grand finale" to the summer!
This fair has been around for almost 190 years. Each year, about a quarter of a million people visit. They come to enjoy over 12,000 exhibits, animals, rides, food, music, and fun shows. The fair's motto is "Something for Everyone Since 1823", and it really lives up to that!
History of the Fair
The Geauga County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society started in February 1823. Their goal was to "promote Agriculture & Domestic Manufactures." This means they wanted to help farming and local crafts grow. The very first fair was held in Chardon, Ohio on October 23, 1823.
In the early days, the fair moved between Burton and Chardon. It was also held once in Painesville before Lake County became separate from Geauga County in 1840. Since the mid-1800s, the fair has always been held in Burton. This is because the official fairgrounds were set up there.
Many buildings on the fairgrounds today are very old. Some of them date back to the 1800s! These include:
- Domestic Arts Hall (built 1856, rebuilt 1889). This building is important enough to be on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Flower Hall (built 1890). This is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Small Grandstand replica (the original was from 1892, rebuilt 1997).
- A part of the C & E Interurban railway station. This building is now used as the Fair Administration office.
In 1972, a famous performer named Hugo Zacchini did a human cannonball act at the fair. A TV station filmed his whole act and showed it without his permission. This was not allowed by Ohio law. The U.S. Supreme Court later said that the TV station should have gotten his permission. This case helped show that people have rights over their performances.
The fair was canceled during World War I (1917–18) and World War II (1942–45). In 2020, only a smaller "Junior fair" took place. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fun Events and Shows
The Great Geauga County Fair has over 300 vendors and food stands. You can find delicious fair food and many interesting products. There is live music, exciting shows, and demonstrations every day. For example, in 2017, there were magic shows, pig races, and the amazing Flying Pages Aerial Thrill Show. There are usually more than 65 events!
Some of the main events at the Grandstand include:
- Demolition derby: This is a motor sport where drivers crash their vehicles into each other. The last car still moving wins!
- Tractor and Truck Pull: In this event, strong 4x4 trucks (weighing up to 8,000 pounds) pull very heavy items. These items can weigh 10,000 pounds or more!
- Broken Horn Rodeo
- Horse Pulling
- Harness Racing
- Band-O-Rama, where local bands and cheerleaders perform.
You can find the daily schedule on the fair's website. To see the Demolition Derby, Truck Pull, and Rodeo, you need to buy tickets. These tickets are available online.
