The pigs are in the pen, the Oreos are frying and the Scrambler ride is ready to scramble for the Summit County Fair.
The annual event runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Summit County Fairgrounds at 229 E. Howe Rd. in Tallmadge.
The fair kicks off Tuesday with opening ceremonies and performances from country music musician Jacob Davis and Cassadee Pope, a past winner of The Voice. Each day is packed full of traditional fair eats, carnival rides, entertainment and animal shows, along with some less-traditional festivities like adult rootbeer-chugging contests and clogger dances.
New this year is a week-long performance from Circus Stella, an acrobatic husband and wife duo who perform with their five nimble rescue dogs. Some returning fan favorites include live pig races, tractor pulls, demolition derbies and magicians.
And all the Pokemasters who stop at the fairgrounds for its two Pokestops can take pictures with Squirtle and Pikachu character cutouts.
Visitors looking to learn can visit different education stations and receive a stamp at each one. When they’re done, they can turn in the stamped sheet to be eligible for prizes, like a big-screen TV or miniature greenhouse.
Cathy Cunningham, the fair’s secretary, said 3,600 people participated in last year’s drawing.
“It’s educational, but it’s also kind of community-oriented where people can find out things that are around,” Cunningham said. “There’s lots of fun stuff to do here.”
For all the poultry lovers disappointed by the lack of feathered friends last year because of the avian flu, fear not: The birds are back. Turkeys and chickens will once again be among the many pigs, cows, goats and other livestock at the show. Some of the animals will be auctioned off at the end, while other luckier ones are only there to compete.
Many of the animals are raised by kids who participate in 4-H, like Emily Moore, 10, and her 9-year-old sister Jessica, both from Twinsburg. It’s their first year bringing animals to the fair, but they were taught well by their two sisters and friend Jordan Sedensky, 12, who are all seasoned competitors.
“It’s hard the night of the auction because you get attached to your animals,” Emily said.
“It’s hard to understand they’re not yours anymore, they’re somebody else’s,” Jordan added. “The first year you get really attached, but after a while, you kind of get used to it.”
They all agreed, though, that they learn valuable lessons from raising their animals.
“Sometimes it’s not just about the money, it’s the learning experience,” Emily said.
“It’s fun learning how to raise your own animals,” said Jessica, who brought her guinea pig to show. “Showmanship is judging you and how you handle your animals. You have to be able to work with your guinea pig.”
Rides and concessions will open each day at noon.
Gate admission for ages 8 and up is $6, but some days have specialty admission, like on Friday, when it costs $1 to enter for those who bring a boxed or canned food item before 3 p.m. Grandstand events and rides cost extra.
For a full schedule, visit www.summitfair.com.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com.
