Are you looking for summer fun that's exciting, interesting, loads of fun, appeals to the whole family, features good food, and doesnt cost very much? Then mark your calendar now to attend one or more of the Ohio Heartlands county fairs!

For more than 150 years in most cases, the county fairs of this area have been a source of family entertainment, friendly competition, and community socializing.

A century or more ago, when farming was the lifeblood of these rural communities, agricultural societies were established to give farmers and their families an opportunity to display their harvest and compete for prizes in skills that were essential to supporting a family. Although it is no longer vital to know how to put up jars of peaches or rope a runaway cow, agricultural societies are still organizing bigger and better yearly festivals. The greased pig contest may have given way to a ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl, and the log-cutting competition may have been replaced by the Demolition Derby, but many of the cherished traditions have only improved with age.

Everyone loves to see the animals. Kids gaze in awe at the giant draft horses, and strain to reach over the fence to pet wooly sheep. Pigs, cows, and chickens remind Mom of where the familys daily meals come from. Young lambs and baby calves draw chuckles as they kick up their heels and play tag, dodging around their placidly grazing mothers. Grandpa compares the merits of different breeds of beef cattle, while Dad and Uncle Joe debate which horses deserve the coveted purple "best of show" ribbon.

Soon, the children cant wait any longer -- they run squealing to the midway, where flashing lights, ringing bells, and delighted screams signal the location of the games and rides. There is excitement for every age and level of daring. Even the littlest ones can toss a dime into a water glass to win a goldfish, while teens throw darts or shoot water guns to earn a giant stuffed animal. Dad shows off his form by hurling a baseball to knock down milk jugs. Admiring crowds gather round to watch a young bodybuilder swing the hammer and send a marker rocketing to the top of the tower, setting off a clanging bell. Then there are the rides. You can choose a gentle ride on the traditional Ferris Wheel, or be scared out of your wits on the Zipper.

Of course, there is absolutely nothing like fair food. For some people, it is the primary reason to buy an admission ticket. Elephant ears covered in cinnamon sugar, candied or caramel-coated apples, that special lemon shake -- even the french fries are different at the fair and oh, so delicious. There are pavilions where civic groups raise money for their charitable projects by barbecuing beef, roasting pork, or serving fried chicken dinners, complete with mashed potatoes, rich gravy, fresh-from-the-garden vegetables, and homemade pies. Who can be blamed for slipping off the diet wagon?

Even the commercial exhibits entertain while educating. Salesmen extol the virtues of their water system, basement waterproofing, or high-efficiency wood stoves. You can try out a piano, get a beauty makeover, enter drawings for prizes, and collect samples of every conceivable product. By the end of the day, fairgoers are toting plastic bags filled with literature and gifts, and everyone goes home with a new yardstick. There is plenty of shopping too, for almost every taste, ranging from NASCAR T-shirts and "I love my dog" sweatshirts to crystal figurines and handcrafted gift items.

By evening, everyone is ready to take a seat in the grandstand to enjoy the entertainment. Some of the biggest names in show business travel the circuit of county fairs. This year, Wayne County has snagged rising country music star Trace Adkins for a concert, while veterans Randy Travis, the Oak Ridge Boys and the Charlie Daniels Band will perform in Ashland, Stark and Medina counties respectively.

But the biggest entertainment draw is raw power. Tractor pulls and demolition derbies pack the grandstands at virtually every fairgrounds in the area. Harness racing continues a one-and-a-half century old tradition, pitting sleek horses against one another around a dirt track.

And the best part is that a full day of family fun can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of an amusement park. Wayne County's gate admission for those over the age of twelve has held steady for years at a mere $2 per person (and those under 12 get in free). Stark County charges $6, but that price includes rides and many shows. Most fairs have special days when school children, senior citizens, toddlers, homemakers and veterans get reduced rates on rides, or are admitted free.

All of the area fair directors have moved into the 21st century, launching Web sites where complete information can be obtained (see box).

So load up the kinfolk, tuck a few dollars in your pocket, slather on some sunscreen, and hit the county fair circuit for summer fun! (July 2004 edition)