It’s State Fair Time!
Despite not having a strong reputation as an agricultural state (and let’s face it, the State Fair is about the agriculture), the Ohio State Fair (running July 30 – Aug 10 this year) really delivers a fun and festive fair environment. It also delivers a little something for just about anyone who might want to visit.
Harkening back to it’s roots, the agricultural and horticultural displays at the fair highlight the best of Ohio’s production. Whether it is gardening (for fruits, vegetables, or flowers) that interests you or the raising of livestock or anything in between, you will find it on display. This fair, does, however suffer from the same problem as state fairs all over the country, in that the displays of many products and animals are very temporary, centering around the judging for their various categories, so you may not find all of the items on display at all times. (However, the schedules are well published, so you can be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.) Cows, horses, sheep, and pigs are all sequestered in the livestock barns to one end of the fairgrounds, with poultry and rabbits, as well as the horticulture displays, at the other. (Don’t worry, though, there is shuttle — tractor-driven no less — if you get tired of walking.)
Educational displays are everywhere, highlighting the importance, and often the hidden uses, of the state’s products. Other displays highlight the great and varied nature of the state. The Franklin Park Conservatory was there with an interesting display of Monarch butterflies, including caterpillars and (the stunningly beautiful) chrysalises. Just outside the horticulture buildings, is an amazing set of displays highlighting Ohio’s animal life. Song bids, butterflies, otters, eagles, and gray foxes are just some of the creatures on display.
The Midway, of course, is home to all the rides, games, and food that a visitor could want. Try your skill shooting hoops, tossing ping pong balls into tea cups, or breaking balloons or dinner plates. Tempt your tastebuds with all your favorites: from roasted corn to funnel cakes, from pizza to polish sausages. (If you’re looking for a tasty piece of beef, head over to the Cattleman’s Association tent by the livestock barns…where you’ll also find the dairy products building, the perfect place to get an ice cream cone while checking out the butter cow.) And don’t forget that you can get just about anything you want deep-fried; oreos, twinkies, candy bars, and of course, cheese on a stick! With your belly full, you can climb aboard any number of rides and see if your iron stomach can hold on. Beyond that, though, it’s interesting to see that the most American of all fair and carnical attractions — the freak show — is alive and well at the Ohio State Fair:
Antiques displays, including a 1924 model firetruck built in the state, and special attractions, like the
Budweiser Clydesdales, round out the displays you’ll want to be sure to see. One final attraction, however, is the shopping. Vendors range from common household products to clothing and accessories to collectables and sports memorabillia. We would recommend, however, skipping much of the marketplace and heading instead to the hand-made and local crafts. After all, supporting these people is what the fair is about, no?
