The Places We Go - To the Fair!

Our family just finished up one of our favorite weeks of the year in this household.  Not quite family-vacation favorite, or Christmas or first-week-of-summer-break favorite, but the kind of favorite that’s right behind those.  It was “Fair Week”, and it was a pretty good one, so I think it’s time for another “The Places We Go” letter -

(Previously posts from this series are found here and here.)  So without further ado…


The Places We Go - To the Fair!


“Fair week” for us falls on the second full week of October every year, when our county holds its annual festival at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.  Since 2008 my girls and I have entered the fair almost every year, packing up our finest baking, art, photos and collections (to name a few), and submitting them to the scrutiny of the judges.  We have racked up ribbons and premiums, and once that job is done we have ridden the rides and played the games, and helped keep the cider slushies and the lemon shake-up stands in business.  This year was no exception.  So, in honor of our favorite carnival, I’m going to try to give you a little taste of the fair as we’ve experienced it over the last 16 years.  


The Fairfield County fair is rich with history - having been held in the heart of Ohio every year since 1850.  The famous “Art Hall” and “Round Cattle Barn” have stood where they are since 1909.  In addition to those buildings, there are several other historical structures scattered around the rolling-green grounds, shaded by centuries-old Sycamore trees and resting at the foot of “Mount Pleasant”, which provides a picturesque backdrop to the festivities.  The bulk of the space is occupied by a race-track and subsequent grand-stands.  Paved pathways connect all of these sites, and - during the fair - are packed to the brim with the most iconic carnival foods, games and rides that one could imagine.  The grounds are truly beautiful.



A visit during the fair will leave guests immersed in a magical blend of 19th century midwestern agricultural charm combined with the classic ambience of carnival - the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes, the sounds of calliope music, the excitement of horse racing and tractor pulls, and the light of a million colorful bulbs blurring past on the rides we all know and love.  If that, my friend, is still not enough for you, then have no fear.  There is something at the fair to entertain just about anyone.  Love live music?  The fair has you covered.  Searching for a rodeo?  Look no further.  Hoping to see a draft horse pull?  Got that.  Demolition derby?  Check.  The week-long program includes a variety of entertainment for guests of every age. 



If the grandstands get a little too noisy for you, you can always check out the exhibits.  From animals large and small to vegetables of every shape and size; from baking and quilts to art and photography, the fair collects the county’s best for judging and viewing.



All that walking can make you hungry, though, and you can count on the fair to make ALL of your deep fried dreams come true.  No joke.  There are deep fried pickles, oreos, cauliflower, and the usual waffles and elephant ears.  You can pair your jaw-breaker sandwich with a literal bucket of french fries, or get a “Krazy Tater” peeled and sliced straight into the oil by a power drill.  Looking to avoid the grease?  Try a candied apple, saltwater taffy, shaved ice, cotton candy or a milkshake.  



Of course, once you’ve filled your stomach with all of that food, you’ll probably want to let it settle before you take a spin on the carousel.  That’s where the vendors and games come in.  Shop your way around the grounds or try your hand at winning a prize.



And then, at last, it’s time to get on those rides. We usually save our “rides-day” for the end of the fair, and hit up all of our favorites.



And that’s a wrap.  The fair at its finest: vendors, animals, rides, games and prizes, parades, fun-runs, pizza cones and chocolate dipped cheesecake all in one place.  If this sounds like an advertisement then I guess it is, because the fair is something I would recommend checking out if you’re close enough to the central Ohio area to do so next fall.  


We love it so much, in fact, that it is the inspiration for The Stanton Sisters Story #3 “Not Fair” coming out in about a month (eeek!) 


So when October 2024 comes around go check out the Fairfield County Fair, and be sure to check for the book release coming soon!  

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