PAULDING, Ohio — In Ohio June means summer and that means county fairs. County fairs evoke fond memories and a sense of nostalgia for people across the state. Initially created as agricultural exhibitions and competitions, fairs have been a part of Ohio summers, in some form or another, for hundreds of years. This year, from mid-June through mid-October, millions of people will visit 94 county and independent fairs, including the Ohio State Fair.

For some, the county fair is about zig-zagging down the midway with your head on a swivel reacting to carnival game barkers, amusement ride music, entertainment options, exhibitions, and trade shows while sampling a plethora of food. For others, the fair’s about exploring livestock barns, participating in 4-H shows or just catching up with people you see once a year.

The Paulding County Fair kicks off Ohio fair season with a run from June 10 - 17. 

Organizing and running a fair is a year-round responsibility requiring the efforts of countless people and dozens of committees. “About 18 directors are on the Senior Fair Board, and we go year-round,” the Paulding County Agricultural Society secretary, Heather Cooper said. “Once this is done we start preparing for the next fair.”

Most committees remain the same year in and year out, for example, those dealing with facilities, livestock Junior Fair, safety, and concessions. “Some things are a little easier, just because it’s the same every year,” Cooper said. “The demolition derby, the rodeo, those people help us with those things year after year. And the Junior Fair, all those kids help us tremendously, they help get the barns ready, set up pens, bring out the benches, all that stuff.”

Other committees’ responsibilities fluctuate from year to year to meet the changing needs and desires of the community. “There’s an entertainment committee that goes to the state convention in January and looks at different entertainment options to book,” Cooper said. “We try and get those booked in February because we are the first fair.” 

This winter, An unforeseen circumstance forced the fair board to look for another amusement ride company after their previous provider left the business. “A lot of the ride companies are going out of business because of the cost, and we are a free fair so we can’t spend $150,000 on rides,” Cooper said. “We found a new ride company in January, just after the state convention.”

Admission to the Paulding County Fair is free, and no tickets are required for the rides. “The citizens of the county and anyone else that chooses to come don’t have to pay to ride,” Cooper said. The only admission that’s charged is for grandstand events.

Two new grandstand events this year will pair with the demolition derby and the rodeo. New this year is KOI Drag Racing. KOI operates dirt drag racing events for local competitors in dozens of classes. “It looks like just drag racing of dirt bikes, four-wheelers, cars, trucks, and whatever you want to race,” Cooper said.

Also, new this year is a concert by local country singer, Pete Schlegel. Schlegel grew up on a dairy farm in Paulding, Ohio before heading to Nashville to start a career that’s seen him tour and produce six albums.

Another county fair staple, harness racing, occurs on Monday and Tuesday of the fair. 

The fair offers something for everyone throughout the week. “I think it depends on what you’re into,” Cooper said. “If you like banging it up and engines are your thing, we have the demolition derby. If into country music, that’d be your Sunday night with Pete Schlegel. On Thursday if you want to drag race your best buddy and put some money down we have KOI.” 

The closing weekend of the fair features the NTPA Tractor Pull on Friday night and the Rodeo on Saturday night. All the proceeds from the rodeo are donated to the fight against childhood cancer. “We’re, we kind of pride ourselves in our rodeo,” Cooper said. Last year the rodeo accounted for a $10,000 donation.

Operating expenses for the Paulding County Fair run about $85,000. Some money comes from the county commissioners and the state, but most are raised through donations. “A majority of our money for the rides and for all the stuff that we put on for the kids is from local businesses,” Cooper said. “We have some awesome local businesses in Paulding County.”

More information, including a schedule of events for the Paulding County Fair, can be found at:

https://www.pauldingcountyfair.com/wp/