What is/was your favorite local Ohio festival or fair? Is it still active?

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Wed, May 10, 2023 11:55 AM

My favorite even that is still going strong is the Hartford Fair in Licking County. Technically an independent fair and not a count fair, it was absolutely the highlight of the year for me growing up. It was one of, if not the only, fairs in the state to have dorms for the kids that were showing animals or had any other projects displayed at the fair (the dorms have since been nixed). And by dorm, I mean a large barn with bunkbeds in it. Fun times were had. If you haven't been to the Hartford Fair and it's not a long drive for you I would highly recommend it.

My favorite event from my childhood that is no longer around, and hasn't been for some time (probably 20 years or so), was the Black Hand Gorge Festival. The podunk town I grew up in has a pretty sweet State Nature Preserve (Black Hand Gorge, duh) and we used to have a yearly festival in the summer to celebrate. We had a few hundred people that lived in the town, and the festival would bring in thousands of people and absolutely pack the place. I'd be curious to find out if there are historical attendance estimates because I'd be really curious to what the numbers actually were.

Anyway, there was a parade and each grade in our elementary school would build a float (that elementary has now consolidated with 3 others into one building, and the old building is now a church). People running for office would have a float or walk in the parade, a marching band would lead, etc. The school grounds were covered with vendor booths selling all sorts of stuff. I remember buying a ton of baseball cards from two specific booths, and I can still picture the way they were laid out, and where they were located on the property. Tons of antiques and lots of random junk. I'm sure I would appreciate it even more as an adult, so if you know of any events still going that sound similar please let me know.

birddog23

Senior Member

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:03 PM

Pemberville Free Fair...duh

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:07 PM
posted by birddog23

Pemberville Free Fair...duh

Automatik

Senior Member

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:08 PM

Jamboree in the Hills. INACTIVE! 

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:21 PM
posted by Automatik

Jamboree in the Hills. INACTIVE! 

Never went, but always wanted to.

Ironman92

Administrator

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:23 PM

Scioto County fair was always the cleanest fair around and good entertainment 

brutus161

The Navy Guy

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:27 PM
posted by Ironman92

Scioto County fair was always the cleanest fair around and good en

Scioto County fair was awesome when I was growing up. 

Verbal Kint

Senior Member

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:55 PM

https://germanamericanfestival.net/

 East of Toledo. Interesting event

BR1986FB

Senior Member

Wed, May 10, 2023 12:57 PM

Lorain County Fair. I'm assuming it's still going.

BRF

Senior Member

Wed, May 10, 2023 2:31 PM

In my area, it would be the Wayne County Fair, and it’s still going strong. 

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

Wed, May 10, 2023 3:58 PM

Trumbull county fair was a hoot. Canfield fair was huge, but never went that much as a kid, but got great country acts every year when I was older. Dirusso’s Italian sausage sandwhiches were on point. 

Used to love the small church festivals, “won” and killed so many goldfish with the ping pong game. My buddy won a rabbit that lived for like 15 years.