'Nonstop action': Free rides and grandstand events all week at the Crawford County Fair
Free carnival rides are only the beginning of the fun that awaits visitors to this year's Crawford County Fair.
Early judging for 4-H and FFA projects began Thursday, youth will move animals in over the weekend, then the fair will be open Monday through Saturday, July 20.
Admission is $10. Children 36 inches and shorter are free.
That entry fee covers all rides, according to David Staats, the fair's manager.
"You get a hand stamp when you come in," Staats said. "That gets you in and you can ride all the rides you want."
'Five new food vendors will be here'
Livestock and horse shows will take place throughout the week.
Flowers, baked goods, locally grown vegetables as well as arts and crafts will be on display.
"Five new food vendors will be here this year," Staats said. "We'll have different styles of barbecue, fried vegetables and even donuts."
Family entertainment shows will take place during every day of the fair.
"We're having an extreme illusionist and he will be doing shows every day Monday through Saturday," Staats said. "We have a wood carver coming in Wednesday through Saturday, and then Captain Rick does a magic show Thursday, Friday and Saturday."
Pony rides will be available for an additional charge.
Grandstand events every night of Crawford County Fair
The grandstand will be busy every night of this year's fair.
A calf scramble will kick off the week 7 p.m. Monday.
"You got little kids chasing chickens around, middle-aged kids chasing sheep and then the older kids chasing the calf," Staats said.
Grandstand seating will be free for the calf scramble.
A rodeo will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday. Grandstand seats will be $10.
Harness racing will begin 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
"During harness racing we have what we call the lucky loser drawing," Staats said. "Anybody that bets and loses, they put their name in a box and we draw out their name. We have some gift cards available that they can win."
The grandstand is free for harness races.
The Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association's truck and tractor pull will begin 7 p.m. Friday.
"We're having two tracks," Staats said. "It will be nonstop action."
Grandstand seats are $10 for the truck and tractor pull. Pit passes are $15.
The demolition derby will begin 7 p.m. Saturday. Grandstand seats are $10. Pit passes are $15.
Veterans and seniors day will be Thursday
Senior citizens and military veterans will be honored Thursday.
Veterans will get in free all day Thursday if they present military identification.
Admission for seniors will be $5 on Thursday.
"The seniors have a a program during the day," Staats said. "The veterans have a thing at night, a ham and bean dinner in our youth building."
The seniors event will run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the youth building, and the veteran dinner will be 5-7 p.m.
For more information, visit the fair online at crawfordcofair.com.
419-564-3508
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: The 2024 Crawford County Fair offers free rides and grandstand events