CANTON — The Stark County Fair features ’80s rock, pizza in a cone, a new Ferris wheel and a mullet contest.
Combining old standards like tractor pulls, livestock, Italian sausage sandwiches and baked goods auctions, the fair also marks its 175th year with special goods and coins.
“There are family traditions,” said Jill Sterling, the fair’s entertainment chairwoman. “It’s a generational thing on both ends of the fairgrounds. That’s where families gather. The livestock side and the business side.”
And you’ll have plenty of time to see it all, as the fair runs from Tuesday through September 2.
Here are five things to know about the 2024 Stark County Fair:
1. Night Ranger and Scotty McCreery are acting
The Stark County Fair once again features long-standing musical acts.
Last year Styx concert It was a resounding success. The classic rock band played to a huge crowd and put on a show worthy of a stadium.
This year’s musical doubleheader will feature Night Ranger on Wednesday and country music artist Scotty McCreery on Thursday.
‘Sister Christian’ and other hits: 2024 Stark County Fair to feature Night Ranger and Scotty McCreery
Night Ranger was an MTV favorite in the 1980s with hits like “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes.” Other chart-topping songs included “Sentimental Street” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me.”
McCreery rose to fame after winning the televised singing competition “American Idol” in 2011 and breaking into the country music genre. Also in 2011, she released the platinum-selling album “Clear as Day,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 all-genre albums chart.
“I think it’s great that we have two concerts to offer a variety of music close to the city for everyone,” Sterling said. “We try to keep the tickets reasonably priced.”
Tickets can be purchased at https://starkcountyfair.com/Tickets are $30-$40 for Night Ranger and $30-$50 for McCreery.
Both concerts will be at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets It can also be purchased at the event.
2. New Food Vendors at the 2024 Stark County Fair
Food is as much a part of the fair as the 4-H animals and grandstand acts.
Savory foods typically include funnel cakes, fried Oreos, fried vegetables, corn dogs, steaks on sticks, French fries, gyros, mashed potato bowls, homemade oven-baked Stromboli, freshly roasted nuts, apple dumplings, strawberry pie, cotton candy, ice cream, caramel popcorn, caramel apples, and deep-fried Twinkies.
Among the returning local and area classics is Wayne County. Lerch Donutsburgers of George’s living room and fish sandwiches Tim’s Tavern.
In recent years, more unusual meals have included a deep-fried hot dog wrapped in dill pickles and dipped in corn dog batter.
There will be a handful of new vendors this year, including: East Coast Konzoffering pizza served in a cone style.
“That’s the one we’re excited about,” Sterling said. “It’s totally different. I mean pizza in a cone, it just sounds great.”
Other new food vendors are City A Alliance burger joint, JD’s Gourmet Hot Dogs from Massillon, and one serving Latin street corn.
Milkshakes made by members of the Junior Fair Board are back in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and peanut butter flavors. Sterling said she heard there might be a new cotton candy flavor this year.
3. A new Ferris wheel is coming to the Stark County Fair
Kissel Attractions CompanyThe longtime ride provider to the Stark County Fair, will have a variety of rides at the center of the fair. But the company will also bring a new, larger Ferris wheel-style attraction called the “Expo Wheel,” Sterling said.
The Expo Ferris wheel reaches a height of 75 feet.
Kissel offers rides to many Ohio and Kentucky fairs including Musik Express, Zumur, Ali Baba, a fun slide and a merry-go-round. Rides for younger children include cars and a roller coaster.
Walks They are open from 4 to 10 pm Tuesday through Thursday, and from 12 to 10 pm Friday through Sunday. Attractions are open from 12 to 7 pm on Mondays.
Tickets can be purchased for $2 individually or in books of 10 for $20 and books of 20 for $30. Attraction wristbands are also sold. For more information, visit https://starkcountyfair.com/tickets-and-info.
4. When is the tractor pulling and demolition contest at the Stark County Fair?
Tractor pulling is punishable by law. National Association of Tractor Pullersattracting participants from all over the country.
Categories include Grand National Pro Stock and other classes.
The truck and tractor event will be held on Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $12. Pit passes are $12 (fair admission not included).
The DerbyDog Demolition Derby will be held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 (fair admission not included). There will also be a Demolition Derby on September 2nd starting at 4:30 p.m. with gates opening an hour early.
Tickets are $14 on Sunday and $12 on September 2.
In addition to the Demolition Derby, which includes several categories, there is also a Power Wheels derby for children.
Tickets can be purchased at https://starkcountyfair.com/entertainment and at the event.
5. Stark County Fair includes a mullet contest
This year there is a new contest: the best red mullet.
Yes, it was not a typo. The fair will hold a contest at the pavilion in honour of the much-loved and much-maligned hairstyle known as the mullet: long in the back and usually short on the sides, with varying lengths on top.
The hairstyle reached its peak in the ’80s and continued into the early ’90s, with celebrities like country music heartthrob Billy Ray Cyrus sporting a powerful mullet during his “Achy Breaky Heart” heyday.
The event starts around 1:00 pm on Sunday. The fair has asked participants to register in advance.
The contest is all about fun and is open to both adults and children, Sterling said. Judging criteria include attitude, personality and costume.
“So far, in my entries, the youngest was 2 years old,” she said. “One of the things that needs to be included on the entry form is, ‘What makes your mullet special?’”
The Best of the Rest at the Stark County Fair
Here are three other highlights from the fair:
- Goods Coins commemorating the fair’s 175th anniversary can be purchased online or at the fair. T-shirts, caps and coins are available. “We have some special retro coins because that’s what’s hot right now,” Sterling said.
- The Stark County Band Show will be on Tuesday and will feature 11 bands. Canton South starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by McKinley, Minerva, Tuslaw and Louisville high schools. Fairless starts at 7:30 p.m., followed by East Canton, Alliance, Sandy Valley, Marlington and Northwest high schools.
- Horse racing is also back with betting. “We encourage everyone to come to the fair and enjoy the feeling of being at the track,” Sterling said. “It’s really amazing to see how many people like to bet and watch the horses.”
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If you leave
That: Stark County Fair
When: Tuesday through September 2. Doors open at 8:00 am daily. The fair closes at 10:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday and at 6:00 pm on September 2.
Where: 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton
Cost: Admission is $8 Wednesday through Sunday. Children ages 5 and younger are free every day of the fair when accompanied by an adult. Admission is $5 on Monday and $6 on Tuesday. Friday is kids’ day; admission is $2 for ages 6 to 17. Military veterans and first responders are free on Monday.
Parking: Parking is free at the fairgrounds. Parking lots are located at the Seventh Street and Wertz Avenue NW and Fourth Street and Wertz Avenue entrances. Complimentary shuttle buses run daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from the parking areas to the fair gates and other select areas.
More details: https://starkcountyfair.com
‘This article may contain information published by third parties, some details of this article were extracted from the following source: www.cantonrep.com’
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