Are you ready for the 2023 Stark County Fair? Styx, rides, food and more are coming
CANTON – From revving engines at tractor pulls to fried funnel cakes and exciting thrill rides, the 2023 version of the Stark County Fair has a little (or even a lot) for everyone.
"Being a fairground that’s located within city limits, we pull a lot of people in,” said Jill Sterling, vice president of the Stark County Fair Board.
This year’s fair runs Tuesday through Labor Day, Sept. 4. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. daily. The fair closes at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday.
General admission is $8. Children 5 or younger get in for free.
Fairgoers won’t have to make a special trip to the ATM because credit cards are now accepted at the gate.
With this year's fair right around the corner, here’s five things you should know:
1. Styx will headline the musical lineup and tickets are selling fast
The 2023 musical headliner is Styx, best known for late '70s and '80s hits, including “Renegade,” “Babe” or “Come Sail Away.” The band released new music as recently as its 2021 album, “Crash of The Crown.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Ticket prices start at $35 and are expected to sell out.
“This year with Styx, we've sold more presale tickets than we ever had in our entire concert history,” said Sterling.
The capacity is about 4,200. As of mid-August, over half were sold, according to Sterling.
The band is offering special VIP 50th anniversary tour packages to fans. The package includes entry to the show, Styx merchandise and an autographed poster.
2. More musical performances: Home Free, high school bands and more
If attendees aren’t fans of rock, no worries.
On Wednesday, the country a capella group, Home Free will be taking the grand stage.
They are best known for winning Season 4 of NBC’s “The Sing-Off” in 2013 and songs, “Sea Shanty Medley” and “Skull and Bones.”
Tickets start at $20. The show begins at 8 p.m.
There is also a range of free shows taking place throughout the week.
The Stark County Fair will host 12 high school band performances Tuesday night starting at 5:30 p.m.
Other performances include shows from the Cedar Valley Cloggers and the Stark County Alumni Band. Sterling suggests attendees check the Stark County Fair’s website and Facebook for up-to-date information on performances.
3. Expect a new ride and a senior citizen day
Rides and other attractions are provided by Kissel Amusement Co., owned by Randy Kissel.
According to Kissel, new attractions this year include the following:
Rainbow Rock: An obstacle course with rope ladders, bridges and a slide.
Zumur: A fast-paced thrill swing ride.
Pirate's Revenge: An intermediate, swinging pendulum pirate ship ride.
Kissel says classic attractions will return including the Ferris wheel, a fun house, merry-go-round and thrill rides.
Tuesday will mark Senior Citizen Day at the fair. Seniors will get a free-ride ticket at the gate. Select rides will be open to seniors only between 1 and 3 p.m., said Sterling.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, all rides open at 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, rides are open from noon to 10 p.m. On Monday, rides will remain open from noon to 7 p.m.
Veterans Day is Monday, when all veterans will receive free admission.
A Veterans Parade will form at the north side of the bunny barn at noon, and the parade will start at 12:30 p.m. A program will begin at 1 p.m. in the pavilion. Gulf War-era veterans will receive special recognition. Sign up for giveaways by calling 330-451-7439.
4. “Come Hungry”: The fair will welcome over 80 food vendors
Sterling said that out of 115 outdoor vendors, about 3/4 sell food. Fair attendees can expect classic funnel cakes, strombolis, candy apples, fries and Italian sausage sandwiches.
There will be new vendors, including a gourmet pretzel truck and Elefant Espresso, a family-owned coffee shop located in Navarre.
“That has always been a hard thing to find: a good cup of coffee on the fairgrounds, so that's one of our new vendors that we're going to feature,” said Sterling.
Elefant Espresso also features hot lattes, iced lattes, americanos, espresso, cold brew and frozen drinks, along with muffins, cookies and scones.
"We're super excited to be able to go to the fair and serve people good coffee and to make their experience even better," said Coltin Rohn, the owner of Elefant Espresso, who promises fair trade, low acidic coffee.
In addition to outdoor vendors, there will be baked goods auctioned at the grange Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m.
“Come hungry, support our vendors and just enjoy the fair,” said Sterling
5. Fair classics to return: Horse races, demolition derbies, tractor pulls and more
Fairgoers can expect all of the classic events to return in 2023.
Horse races will take place Wednesday and Thursday at noon at the grandstand and track where pari-mutual bets can be placed on harness horses.
“It's really important that the community knows that they can see some of Northfield’s famous drivers and trainers here at the fair,” said Sterling.
Truck and tractor pulls will take place Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, plus a $2 facility fee.
Demolition Derbies will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and Monday at 4:30 p.m. Event tickets cost $10, plus a $2 facility fee.
To learn more information about fair events, visit starkcountyfair.com.
Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@gannett.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 things to know about the 2023 Stark County Fair
