It's Canfield Fair time (London, Clyde: appointed, renting, insurance)

[South Range Family]

It's my favorite time of year again. The 4H kids are grooming their animals. Women are putting together their best recipes. The exhibits are being set up, and the carnies are stocking up on food, and prizes. It's time for the second largest County fair in the entire Country, the Granddaddy of them all, the closer of the season. It's time for the Canfield Fair.

If you have been there, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you don't know what you are missing. Animals galore. There are 4H animals like rabbits, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys, and llamas. They even have eggs in an incubator that will hatch during the fair. At the other end of the fairgrounds there are dairy cows that get milked every day. You can watch, or even try it yourself. On the back side of the fair you will find huge Belgian, and Clydesdale type horses. Along side of them you will find professional race horses that are boarded there year round. There are more animals than you can shake a stick at, or eat at one time.

If you don't like animals there are plenty of other things to see. There are antique tractors, old single hit engines, a working steam shovel and sawmill. The Western Reserve Village has a blacksmith shop, a one room school house, a doctor's office, and a train station that were all moved there from the surrounding townships. There are free exhibits that are put on by local residents. Flower arranging, photography, and art work are just some. My personal favorite is the pumpkin barn. Even though my best pumpkin was only 200 pounds several years ago, I love to see the 800, and 900 pound monsters that are grown today. Jerry Dawson holds the fair record of over 1000 pounds. This year promises to be even bigger. Don't like pumpkins? How about tractors, motorcycles, RV's, hottubs, or pools? There will be all kinds of vendors showing off their latest merchandise. Need a wood burning stove, or new deck? They'll be there. You might even see "Barney the six legged cow".
The demolition derby, tractor pulls, Kenny Rogers, and the Oakridge Boys will all be there too. Seeing all of those attractions should make you hungry.

Walk through the rows, and rows of food vendors. There is Chinese food, Italian sausage, fresh barbecue, lemon shakes, corn dogs, gyros, and everybody's favorite fresh cut French fries. Anything you want will be there. You just have to look. Some people will be put off by the high price of food. Four dollars for fries, or six dollars for a big meatball sandwich might seem like highway robbery, especially when you can make it at home for less, but please remember this. Yes, potatoes are cheap, but everything that gets you those potatoes, isn't cheap. Renting the spot at the fairgrounds costs me $2000 for the week. Add in propane, gasoline, health license, 2 million in liability insurance, mortgage on the concession stand, equipment in the stand, gallons and gallons of frying oil, napkins, food containers, employees, vinegar, and the tons and tons of ketchup that everybody wants to pile on. All of a sudden those potatoes aren't so cheap. All of that has to be paid ahead of time. We aren't trying to make a killing, and we aren't trying to rip anybody off. We are just hoping it doesn't rain so we don't lose our asses like we did at the last event. So please, when you see somebody selling fries for what looks like a lot of money, step up, smile, and order two.

I hope to see you all at the Canfield Fair.

[keytower]

ive been going to the canfield fair for as long as i can remember.started going with my parents and other relatives at an early age. the demolition derby was always my favorite.had alot of good times and memories that ill never forget,especially with friends.now i get to take my 6 year old daughter with me to enjoy it.cavettelis,fries,elephant ears,and corn dogs cant wait.

[Norakant]

$2000 for the week Wow I have a few books, fifteen really, that I wrote myself and would like to sell. Any chance of putting a little table next to your fries and try to sell them? 3307433534

[dragonswing]

I have been going to the Canfield Fair for years now--I always enter the crafts and photography barns. Love the gryros. I have been disappointed the past 2 years cause I couldn't find the vendor selling the watermelons slushes. I just wish the fairground personnel would be willing to tell you the specific day/times when center events are being held. I am a clogger so I like watching other groups perform. And I was interested when the barrel races would be held. When I called the fairgrounds, a very nasty lady said they have entertainment every day, so why not come every day then I would see what I wanted. Well, I live over an hour from the fair and can not afford going every day. People like that aren't a good advertisement for the fair.

[BarbieWhe]

Originally Posted by South Range Family

It's my favorite time of year again. The 4H kids are grooming their animals. Women are putting together their best recipes. The exhibits are being set up, and the carnies are stocking up on food, and prizes. It's time for the second largest County fair in the entire Country, the Granddaddy of them all, the closer of the season. It's time for the Canfield Fair.

If you have been there, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you don't know what you are missing. Animals galore. There are 4H animals like rabbits, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys, and llamas. They even have eggs in an incubator that will hatch during the fair. At the other end of the fairgrounds there are dairy cows that get milked every day. You can watch, or even try it yourself. On the back side of the fair you will find huge Belgian, and Clydesdale type horses. Along side of them you will find professional race horses that are boarded there year round. There are more animals than you can shake a stick at, or eat at one time.

If you don't like animals there are plenty of other things to see. There are antique tractors, old single hit engines, a working steam shovel and sawmill. The Western Reserve Village has a blacksmith shop, a one room school house, a doctor's office, and a train station that were all moved there from the surrounding townships. There are free exhibits that are put on by local residents. Flower arranging, photography, and art work are just some. My personal favorite is the pumpkin barn. Even though my best pumpkin was only 200 pounds several years ago, I love to see the 800, and 900 pound monsters that are grown today. Jerry Dawson holds the fair record of over 1000 pounds. This year promises to be even bigger. Don't like pumpkins? How about tractors, motorcycles, RV's, hottubs, or pools? There will be all kinds of vendors showing off their latest merchandise. Need a wood burning stove, or new deck? They'll be there. You might even see "Barney the six legged cow".
The demolition derby, tractor pulls, Kenny Rogers, and the Oakridge Boys will all be there too. Seeing all of those attractions should make you hungry.

Walk through the rows, and rows of food vendors. There is Chinese food, Italian sausage, fresh barbecue, lemon shakes, corn dogs, gyros, and everybody's favorite fresh cut French fries. Anything you want will be there. You just have to look. Some people will be put off by the high price of food. Four dollars for fries, or six dollars for a big meatball sandwich might seem like highway robbery, especially when you can make it at home for less, but please remember this. Yes, potatoes are cheap, but everything that gets you those potatoes, isn't cheap. Renting the spot at the fairgrounds costs me $2000 for the week. Add in propane, gasoline, health license, 2 million in liability insurance, mortgage on the concession stand, equipment in the stand, gallons and gallons of frying oil, napkins, food containers, employees, vinegar, and the tons and tons of ketchup that everybody wants to pile on. All of a sudden those potatoes aren't so cheap. All of that has to be paid ahead of time. We aren't trying to make a killing, and we aren't trying to rip anybody off. We are just hoping it doesn't rain so we don't lose our asses like we did at the last event. So please, when you see somebody selling fries for what looks like a lot of money, step up, smile, and order two.

I hope to see you all at the Canfield Fair.

You won't see me at the fair. I live in FL these days.

But, I remember when....
I use to stand out in front of a stand and being the very shy quiet timid girl that was out of my known community I could yell out Ring a ding ding, One over wins, 3 for a quarter, come on in and try your luck. and repeat and repeat and repeat. Until, someone stepped up and handed me a quarter, then I'd give them their 3 rings and sometimes they'd ask for a demonstration of how the ring had to lay to win.

It was like a different world. I found a different girl at the Canfield Fair. I worked there from 1966 through 1968. I think that's right- It seems you had to be 16 to work there. I still consider myself one of the carnies.

I think I have a cousin or two that still has stands and or games and travels with the fairs. If I can drop a name, it's Sanders.

The memory of Canfield Fair french fries. The kind that are so greasy their flimsy and sprinkled with salt and vinegar. No where have I ever had vinegar on french fries except Malt Vinegar and that too is Ohio.

Take care. Your fair should be over this is Labor Day evening.

[South Range Family]

Originally Posted by dragonswing

I have been going to the Canfield Fair for years now--I always enter the crafts and photography barns. Love the gryros. I have been disappointed the past 2 years cause I couldn't find the vendor selling the watermelons slushes. I just wish the fairground personnel would be willing to tell you the specific day/times when center events are being held. I am a clogger so I like watching other groups perform. And I was interested when the barrel races would be held. When I called the fairgrounds, a very nasty lady said they have entertainment every day, so why not come every day then I would see what I wanted. Well, I live over an hour from the fair and can not afford going every day. People like that aren't a good advertisement for the fair.

Dragonswing
Gyro John is famous for yelling at people near the photography barn. "Yee-Rohs, yee-rohs. No gyros here." He has been there for more than 30 years. I'm proud to say that John is a very dear friend of mine. I'll be seeing him before he goes back to Greece this month.

"Al's Pit Stop" was the trailer with watermelon slushes. It was located straight up Canfield road from the fine arts building. It was across from Ralph's cotton candy and the London Broil trailer. I'm sorry to say that Al died right before Christmas two years ago. Al was a good man, and we all miss him. His family has since sold the trailer.

I can't say anything for the lady on the phone. Some people are just rude in life. I don't let them bother me.

Originally Posted by Norakant

$2000 for the week Wow I have a few books, fifteen really, that I wrote myself and would like to sell. Any chance of putting a little table next to your fries and try to sell them? 3307433534

It's late for me to be reading this, but they would have kicked us both out. The fairboard doesn't play that game.

[tgbwc]

How is the fair going this year? I miss it a lot. I would like to take my son (8 years old today), but living in VA I haven't made it back up. I could, but this week is not the best time to take off since I teach and this is our week back before the kids start. I guess I could go over the weekend one year.

I remember all the soundtower announcements. Do they still do that? "Ernie Schlopsky! Please meet grandma at the soundtower. She is waiting to go home!" lol

I still have the John Deere tractor toy I got there when I was a little kid...oh, and my Ozzie Newsome autograph!

[Traveler87]

I always here about it, never checked it out. Maybe this year...

[BigSam61]

The Canfield Fair is well worth a trip , you just need 2 or 3 days to enjoy all of it.

The memory of Canfield Fair french fries. The kind that are so greasy their flimsy and sprinkled with salt and vinegar. No where have I ever had vinegar on french fries except Malt Vinegar and that too is Ohio.

Richardson French Fries I think !

[South Range Family]

I wrote the original post 2 years ago. The only thing that has changed for the 2009 Canfield Fair is Hank Williams junior, and George Jones will be the musical entertainment. The rest of the fair is like a week long time warp where nothing changes. I love it. I'm using up a week of vacation to be there.


I would like to make a suggestion to the people that love French fries. Pay attention to the kind of container that they come in before you order your fries. Some stands use a styrofoam cup. Your fries turn into a soggy mess at the bottom. It's also impossible to get enough ketchup or vinegar on fries that are stuffed into that tiny cup.
Look for the stands that use paper boats. Your fries will be crisper, it's easier to share ,and you can put plenty of ketchup on the side.

If you get really lucky, you will find a few of us that line our boats with foil. You will get more fries for the same amount of money, and they won't fall out as easily.

Do you like corndogs? I eat a lot of corndogs at different events. Johnson's is by far the best corndog I have ever eaten. They are vendor acquaintances, but I am in no way biased because I know them. I know many vendors that are very good friends of mine. None of them compare with a Johnson's corndog. They will have two trailers at the fair.