I have something to confess: I’ve never been to the Tuscarawas County Fair. I’ve never been, but now I can’t wait to go. I spent my summer writing feature articles about some incredible 4-H kids who not only taught me about themselves and their accomplishments, but also about all the fun I’ve been missing out on! Now that they helped me plan my trip, it’s only fair that I share it with you!
Parking and Admissions
Where to Park
If you want a shorter walk, parking is $5 inside the gates and is offered until all spaces are full. To park inside the gates you MUST enter at the Wooster Ave Main Gate. Handicap Parking is offered inside the gate, but please note the fairgrounds does not supply electric wheelchairs
If you want to save some cash, FREE Parking is offered on Oxford Street (see map) with FREE Shuttle service to the main gate. You can walk in any gate, there are 4 entry gates around the perimeter; Wooster Ave, Fair Lane, Tusc Ave., and Eastgate Lane.
Admission Prices and Deals
The gates open at 8am everyday and admission is $5 per person. Attendees 60 years and over are $3 every day and under 3 years old is free. The fair is offering special admission pricing on the following days:
- Monday, September 18,2023: VETERAN’S DAY (FREE admission with valid I.D.) Sponsored by Wendy’s Restaurant
- Tuesday, September 19, 2023: SAFETY FORCES DAY ($1 admission with valid I.D.) Sponsored by Bob & Trudy Sensel
- Wednesday, September 20, 2023: SENIOR DAY ($1 admission, 65 and over) Sponsored by Dover Eagles
- Thursday, September 21, 2023: FAMILY DAY – $3 Admission for ALL, $14 All Day Ride Pass ($5 savings per person!) Sponsored by : First National Bank of Dennison, WTUZ & BellStores
If you plan to leave the fair and return, ask for a hand stamp upon entry so you can return for no additional charge later that day. Each day’s stamp is a different color.
Fair Fun, Food, and Entertainment
Once you’re at the fair, you’ll have unending options to explore! I’ve made a checklist of my “must see, do, and eat” activities:
4-H Shows and Booths
These 4-H kids are really incredible. They take on projects each year and pour their hearts and souls into making them the very best. These kids raise animals, decorate cakes, design costumes, code robots, and engineer electrical gadgets. Wow. Just. Wow.
Many of the Senior Fair Household and Fine Arts are being judged on Monday; be patient as the winners are decided and some of the areas of the buildings have limited access until the process is complete. PLEASE VISIT them to see the talent showcased in Tuscarawas County; from beautiful cakes, stunning paintings and photos, quality garden products and more, it’s a perfect celebration of our agricultural heritage. The BIGGEST Pumpkin is always fun to see!
Some of these displays are best enjoyed earlier in the week.
Of course animals are the very heart of the Tuscarawas County Fair! Help all the 4-H and FFA kids and local farms celebrate their hard work by visiting the animals. Please be respectful during shows in the arena & barns; the animals & kids get nervous when it’s “showtime.”
Old McDonald’s Farm is a great place to see a variety of animals, and sometimes baby animals!
Note: Animals will begin release early Sunday, September 24 and will all be removed by 5 p.m. that day.
Once you witness what these kids can accomplish, you’ll probably want to learn more about 4-H and FFA. Visit the local 4-H and FFA booths in the commercial and fine arts buildings. Every booth has examples of all the projects that 4-H offers. You don’t have to own a farm or be in the county to take part in this amazing program.
Rides
A visit to the fair isn’t complete without a spin on one of the Durant Amusement rides! You can purchase an all day wristband for $17. Thursday is family day and wristbands are discounted $14 a piece. You can also pay individually for rides with tickets for $2 each.
Rides open at noon each day, EXCEPT MONDAY when they open at 5 after all safety inspections are complete. Rides do not have a close time; they remain open as long as there are a significant number of riders.
Food
I have some insider information that the food at the Tuscarawas County Fair is amazing. According to my informants, fair fries are an ABSOLUTE must and a trip (or several) to the Dairy Men’s Dairy Bar is a NECESSITY.
Local food entities include the Pork Producers, Beef Producers, Dairy Men’s Dairy Bar and Clover Café. You can check out the Clover Café menu HERE if you want to plan your day around all the delectable edible options like I do.
Entertainment
Once you’ve been inspired by the youth, exhilarated by the rides, and stuffed by the food, you can sit back, relax and enjoy some entertainment. The Tuscarawas County Fair offers a full week of options at the Grandstand:
MOTOCROSS on Monday
BAND-O-RAMA on Tuesday
THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW on Wednesday
TOUCH A TRUCK on Thursday
OSTPA SANCTIONED TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL on Friday and Saturday
DEMOLITION DERBY on Sunday
For more information on the Grandstand Events CLICK HERE.
The Square Dance is also held on Saturday. I have it on good authority that’s where all the cool kids hang out to relax and have fun after a busy week of showing off their hard work!
Phew, what a week we’re in for! I’ve got my list thanks to meeting some incredible young people and doing a little extra research. Now we’re all ready for the 173rd annual Tuscarawas County Fair. Monday can’t get here soon enough!
For a full schedule of Tuscarawas County Fair Events, READ THIS
