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As you read this, the 178th Trumbull County Fair will be over, but… Oh, the memories my family has made at this fair and my home county fair over the years. How did all of the county fairs get started?

The early roots go back to medieval times, but were more of an agricultural market. What we think of today as a “county fair” began in about 1807 with a sheep shearing demonstration and contest. Wanting to promote better farming practices, Elkanah Watson, a New England patriot and farmer, organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society. The first event of this new organization was in 1811 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as an exhibition and competition for local oxen, cattle, swine and sheep.

Watson’s passion for agriculture spread as he helped many communities organize their own agricultural societies and fairs. By 1819, most counties in New England had them and the movement was spreading into other states. The county fairs became so popular that in 1841, New York hosted its first State Fair. The two-day event drew a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 people. The Ohio State Fair was not far behind when it was first held in 1850.

Ohio’s oldest fair is in a neighboring county and my home county. The first “Fair & Cattle Show” took place in October 1823 in Chardon and “The Great Geauga County Fair” was born. It was organized by one of Ohio’s earliest agricultural societies — The Geauga County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society.

“Members wanted to organize the annual countywide fair that would showcase the development of agricultural products, plus the newest farm labor-saving devices, and also would celebrate and preserve the nation’s economic independence, bountiful harvests, common New England heritage and ideals,” according to a history of the fair at geaugafair.com.

Ohio’s largest county fair is also in a neighboring county. The Canfield Fair in Mahoning County will be hosting its 178th fair on Labor Day weekend. This fair is the third largest county fair in the United States.

The Trumbull County Fair July 9-14 is a great place to kick off this year’s fair season. There will be the traditional games and rides, a rodeo, demolition derby, harness racing, truck and tractor pulls, and the finale fireworks on Sunday night.

These are great parts of a modern county fair, but be sure to spend some time down at the west end of the fairgrounds. Come get a milkshake at the dairy bar and stroll through the livestock barns. Watch the dairy cows get milked. Interact with the 4-Her kids and their advisers and ask questions. Visit the flower, craft and art entries. Make sure to visit the Junior Fair building to see this year’s non-animal projects, too.

And while you are in the area, come visit the Trumbull County Farm Bureau booth and play area where there are many fun things to do and learn. Check out Story Time with a Farmer each day. Come participate or just watch the Barnyard Olympics on Friday evening. 

Farm Bureau and county fairs go hand in hand. Both are a lot of fun and love to promote agriculture. Maybe you have already visited a local fair this year. If not, make plans to do so before it is too late.

Submitted by Mary Smallsreed, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau who grew up on a family dairy farm in northeast Ohio.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.