Organizers prepare for 2023 Lake County Fair, set to run July 25-30

Jul. 24—Organizers spent the morning of July 24 preparing for the start of the 2023 Lake County Fair, which is set to run from July 25-30.

The fair will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds, located at 1301 Mentor Ave. in Painesville Township. Fair Board President Wade Crofoot said that attendees will see events including a parade, 4-H shows, motocross racing, live music, rides, food and more.

The fair's first four days will each have a specific theme, as noted on its website. Aside from these special promotions, tickets will cost $10 and will be required for all attendees ages 3 and older, providing access to "all exhibits, free midway shows, some grandstand shows and rides (except for live pony rides and special attractions)."

July 25 will be Veterans Day, offering free admission to all attendees until 3 p.m. and free admission all day for veterans who show identification. An veteran ceremony will also take place at 6 p.m. at the Belcher Pavilion.

The fair's annual parade will step off that evening at 6. The parade flier states that it will line up at Painesville's First Church of Christ, 422 Mentor Ave., and Zion Lutheran Church, 508 Mentor Ave. It will march west along Mentor Avenue and south on Fairgrounds Road before turning into the Fairgrounds.

Crofoot added that the fair's opening ceremonies will take place as the parade marches past the fair's grandstand.

Later that evening at 7, the entertainment tent will hold the fair Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Crofoot said that the fair will honor volunteer security staff and Dave Herroon, a groundskeeper who has been involved for around 40 years.

Meanwhile, a baked goods auction is set to run at 7:30 p.m. at the entertainment tent

"We really have some of the best baked goods you could ever find," Crofoot said.

The fair's first day will also include homemade beer judging and wine judging from 1 to 3 p.m.

Families will be the focus on July 26, with all families of four or more receiving $8 general admission tickets. Denny Carleton and Friends will provide music starting at 6 p.m.

The fair's second night will feature the DerbyDog Off Road Dirt Night Motor Mayhem, which the website said is set to start at 7 p.m. in the grandstands and include half-car racing, trucks and mini-buses. Grandstand tickets will cost $10 and can be purchased ahead of time on the fair website, while a pit pass and driver entry will each cost $20.

"These miniature cars are cut in half," Crofoot said.

July 27 will be the fair's Kids Day, as noted online, providing free admission for all children 14 and under if they are accompanied by an adult who is 21 or older. Ride wristbands will cost $8.

The fair's grandstand will include activities for children from 1-3 p.m., while free popsicles will be available at the Junior Fair Milkshake Booth while supplies last.

The Lake County Prince and Princess will be crowned at 3:30 p.m. at the Belcher Pavilion, the schedule noted, while a Kiddie Tractor Pull will take place at the same time on the Front Midway. Miss Lake Cow-nty will be crowned at 4 p.m. in the Livestock Arena, while Kings of Revelry will provide live music starting at 7 p.m.

The third day will close with the Motocross racing at 7 p.m., an event that Crofoot said "is always a really big crowd."

July 28 will serve as the fair's Senior Day, with all attendees 60 or older receiving free admission until 3 p.m. The website noted that FM77 will play songs from Fleetwood Mac and the 1970s starting at 7 p.m., while truck and tractor pulls will be featured at 6:30 p.m.

July 29 will include the fair's 4-H livestock auction at 4 p.m., which Crofoot described as likely the fair's "main event." Last year's auction raised more than $150,000.

The evening will feature draft horse pulls and a drag race, he added.

The website also lists a 2 p.m. line dance and 7 p.m. live music from Pawn Band, which plays music from the 1970s and 1990s.

The fair's final day will kick off with a church service at 9 a.m., Crofoot said, while a demolition derby will kick off at 6:30 p.m.

The website also notes that the Fair's Latino Day will begin at noon.

The fair gates will open at 8 a.m. each day, the website noted, with the midway and concessions opening at noon. The exhibit buildings will close at 9 p.m. on July 30 and at 10 p.m. on the preceding days, while the midway will close at 11 p.m. on July 28-29 and 10 p.m. on the other days.

Lake County Agricultural Society members have free admission all six days, the website noted. Annual membership is $25 and allows holders to vote in the society's elections.

Crofoot noted that the fairgrounds had under maintenance in the past year, including the installation of new asphalt and continued work on the building roofs. Organizers have also made improvements to the fair's Wi-Fi.

"It's good people here and a good crowd," he said, adding, "It's good clean fun for everybody, all ages."