“The county fair is where summer lingers a little longer, and memories stick like cotton candy on fingertips.”

As the golden light of late July fades into the hazy warmth of August, something magical takes hold in towns across Ohio and all across the country.

For us here in the Buckeye State, it begins with the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, moves through the Columbiana County Fair, and culminates in one of the grandest traditions of all: the Canfield Fair.

These events are more than just dates on a calendar, they are shared experiences, stitched into the memory quilts of our childhoods and passed down from generation to generation. They’re the scent of kettle corn in the air, the thrill of neon-lit rides spinning against a cotton candy sky, the sound of 4-H kids proudly calling out facts about their goats or quilts or baked goods to smiling judges. They’re late summer’s last hurrah.

A Rich History, A Celebrated Present

The Canfield Fair, founded in 1846, has been a beloved part of Mahoning County’s history for nearly two centuries. We have Elisha Whittlesey to thank—whose address to the Congregational Church helped spark the idea of “Competitive Exhibitions” to celebrate hard work in agriculture and the domestic arts. His vision became a movement. What started as a local gathering has grown into one of the largest county fairs in the nation.

From demolition derbies to grandstand concerts, there’s something for everyone. The fair has hosted everyone from The Lennon Sisters in 1956 to The Band Perry in 2015. Legends like Wayne Newton and Jeff Dunham have graced the stage, and if you listen closely while walking the fairgrounds, you might just hear the echo of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” in the summer night air.

Fairgrounds and Friendships

But the real magic? It’s in the togetherness.

The fairgrounds bring people from every walk of life into the same shared space—kids with sticky fingers, teens winning goldfish, grandparents admiring quilts and homemade jams. It’s community in motion.

You’ll see pride in every 4-H barn, creativity in every handmade craft display, and resilience in every sunburned smile. These fairs are reminders of what we can create, grow, and celebrate when we come together, without screens, without rush, just presence.

Savor a Soft Summer

Before the whirlwind of fall, before the pumpkin spice and school schedules and leaf piles, August offers us a final soft landing- a reminder to linger.

To feel the sun on your face as you walk from one barn to the next.
To sip that tart-sweet lemonade shake slowly.
To split an elephant ear with someone you love and let the powdered sugar stick.

Because that’s what summer is really about—connection, community, and cotton candy moments that stay with us long after the lights go down on the Ferris wheel.

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✨ Your Turn:

My favorite fair food? Elephant ears and lemonade shakes, no contest.
What about you—what’s your must-have when you hit the fairgrounds? Tell me in the comments!

Let’s celebrate these small-town traditions and the way they hold space for joy, wonder, and shared humanity. Here’s to August and the sweet, sticky goodness of a summer not quite ready to say goodbye.