TALLMADGE, Ohio — With a slogan that once read “All Roads Lead to the Summit County Fair,” the major annual event of the Summit County Agricultural Society kicks off next week.
The fair runs Tuesday, July 26 through Sunday, July 31, offering a packed daily schedule with a variety of food and vendors, and featuring everything from music, magic shows and rides to games, competitions and dancing.
Exhibitor displays include livestock, poultry, canned food, baked goods, needlework, bees, vegetables, flowers, photography, beer and wine.
With this year’s theme “A week of Paradise,” the Summit County Fair is expected to draw people from across the region, which the event has done since its inception in 1850.
The week-long event has been at its current location at the Tallmadge fairgrounds since 1957. Prior to settling in Tallmadge, the fair drew such large crowds it was moved from location to location around the county, fair officials said.
The event offers Junior Fairboard and Summit County 4-H Club members an opportunity to exhibit their projects. (Jennifer Conn/Spectrum News)
By 1970, the Summit County Fair had flourished in Tallmadge and become known as “the Biggest Little Fair in Ohio,” fair officials said.
Fair week offers members of the Junior Fairboard and Summit County 4-H Club an opportunity to exhibit projects they’ve worked on throughout the year, such as livestock, sewing, art, STEM, outdoors, and health and living projects.
A schedule of fun events for kids will feature a pet parade, races and pie-, lemon- and spaghetti-eating contests, which take place in the fair’s Youth Park.
This year’s Grand Stand events are planned to feature demolition derby, motocross, drag racing, monster trucks, and truck and tractor pulls. Grand Stand events begin at 7: 30 p.m. each day and admission prices vary.
Check the fair’s online schedule for event listings, times and more information. For real-time updates, text SCFAIR to 51660.
Rides run until 11 p.m. each night except Sunday, when rides run until 8 p.m.
Specialty days and discounts include:
- Wednesday: Veterans, active military members and farm bureau members get $3 admission
- Thursday: Family Day offers free admission for kids 14 and under and $15 all-day ride pass
- Friday: Bring a boxed or canned food item for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank and get $3 admission until 3 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased online. There are two main entrances to the fairgrounds: 229 East Howe Road, and 1050 North Ave. Parking is free and handicap parking is available at both entrances.
