HISTORY


The early history of the Summit County Fair is best described in a book by Karl H. Grismer, Akron and Summit County, Akron:  Summit County Historical Society, nd, published in the early 1950’s.  The following is what Grismer had to say.

            “Another thing which stimulated trade was the Summit County Fair, held each autumn after farmers had harvested their crops and had money in their pockets.  The fairs were not held in Akron by accident – they were brought here through the efforts of the Summit County Agricultural Society, an aggregation of loyal Akron boosters and good friends in nearby townships”.

            “The Society was organized November 14, 1849, at a meeting in the courthouse.  A week later the first officers were elected:  Col. Simon Perkins, president; Henry G. Weaver, vice-president; William H. Dewey, treasurer; and William A. Hanford, secretary.  Five managers also were elected; John Hoy, Sylvester H. Thompson, Avery Spicer, Philo C. Stone, and James W. Weld”.    “At this meeting, the county commissioners loosened up the county’s purse strings and promised to donate $137.50 each year for the fair’s support.  They also

gave the society permission to hold the first fairs on the courthouse grounds”.

            “During the following year the officials and managers worked tirelessly to arouse interest throughout the county and raised money through sales of $1 memberships to assure an alluring list of prizes, ranging from 50 cents to as high as $8 for the best cattle and horses.  Altogether the prizes totaled $100”.

            “At last, the big day’s come – Wednesday and Thursday, October 2 and 3, 1850, and into Akron from every township streamed farmers and villagers, eager to take in the big event.  The finest domestic animals raised in the county were exhibited in tents on the grounds and in the courthouse itself were exhibited fruits, flowers, domestic fabrics, fancy work, and even a straw bonnet made from county grown straw”.

            “In the bovine and equine display were a team of 34 yoke of oxen and another 15 span of horses, both from Tallmadge”.

            “The most popular feature of the fair was a series of plowing contests held on the commons just east of the jail.  (This was before the cut was made through that section of town for the branch railroad to Hudson)  Both oxen and horses were entered in the matches and, in addition to the plowing, the strengths of the animals was put to the test in pulling loaded wagons, stone boats and stumps.  Betting was spirited and large sums of money changed hands”.

            “Such a huge crowd attended the second fair, held October 16 and 17, 1851, that the need for larger grounds was plainly shown.  Colonel Perkins then granted the society free use of a six-acre tract on S. Main opposite the present B.F. Goodrich office building.  The grounds could not be improved in time for the 1852 fair, however, and it, too, was held on the courthouse grounds”.

            “During the following summer the South Akron tract was fenced in and a large exhibit building was erected.  The improvements altogether costing $1,800.  The fair of 1853 was held there with great success.  Three years later a half mile race track was laid out and the first races were run on October 8, 9, and 10, 1856”.

            “By that time, the Summit County Fair had become the leading fair in northern Ohio.  It was not only the great harvest festival for Summit County people but was also an attraction which brought in thousands of visitors from adjoining counties and even from remote sections of the state”.

            “Said Editor Ahsel Lewis of the Summit County Beacon in 1858; ‘Beyond a doubt the county fair is of inestimable value in Akron.  It is a magnet which pulls in at least $200,000 of outside money each autumn.  Without this extra business we fear that some of our merchants would be sorely troubled in these trying times’.

            “During the fair week every hotel and rooming house in town was filled up to capacity and many private homes took in guests.  Livery stables did a rushing business and stores were crowded.  Almost all the visitors had money to spend and when they spend it, the whole town benefited”.

            “Crowds had become so large by 1858 that the need for larger grounds became imperative.  Perkins offered to sell most of the land where the Goodrich factories now stand for $80 an acre.  But the fair officials dilly-dallied and by the time they were ready to make a decision Perkins had sold the land to other parties”.

            “David L. King, son of Judge Leicester King, then came to the rescue and leased to the society for five years a splendid 35 acre tract on the hill between Ash Street and Glendale Avenue, just west of the business district.  Covered with large trees, the tract was one of the most beautiful in the locality.  Buildings and fences were moved there from the old grounds and $3,128 was spent on new improvements, including more exhibit halls and a fine race track.  To help make the grounds the best in the state, business men liberally donated labor and teams.   At this fairgrounds, called Summit Grove, Akron had some of the finest fairs in its entire history”.

            Note:  “When the society’s five year lease on Summit Grove expired in 1864, King offered to sell the grounds to the society for $5,000.  The directors of the organization considered the price to high and leased for five years a 30-acre tract at S. Maple and Balch from P.D. Hall.  Fairs were held at that location until 1875.  In that year the society purchased from the Austin Powder Company a 45-acre tract known as the powder patch in the Little Cuyahoga Valley.  For this tract the society paid $5,000 in cash and a 30-acre farm west of Akron it had purchased previously for $6,000.  At its new location, the society established Fountain Park.  The first fair held there was in October, 1875.  Later, Fountain Park was greatly beautified, a fine race track built, and many buildings constructed.  Fairs were held there annually until the mid 1920’s”.  (End of citation by Grismer)

            From this point until 1956, fairs were held in various locations; Ascot Racing Park, Summit Beach Park and the Schoolhouse in Tallmadge to name a few.

            Although the Summit County Agricultural Society dissolved in 1928, the Summit County Fair continued to be held.  In 1957, the Summit County Agricultural Society was re-organized under the leadership of President, Charles Call.  The Society’s main purpose was to promote the Summit County youth and their activities.  At this time, the Summit County Commissioners leased to the Society 5 acres of the Summit County Home property located in Tallmadge.  When the “Summit County Junior Fair” opened for three days, August 15-17, 1957, the Society was the proud owner of two buildings and a lot of hopes and dreams for the future.

            From day one, many proud, hard working, dedicated volunteers have put in their time and efforts towards building and beautifying the grounds.  By 1970, the Summit County Fair was labeled “The Biggest Little Fair in Ohio”.

            In 1975, “Junior” was dropped from the name and the Society once again became the Summit County Fair.  Open class competition was added which took a big step in the family orientation of the fair.

            The fair quickly outgrew the original 5-acre plot and in 1979, 30 additional acres had been added.  The Society now owned 12 buildings, two show rings and a new grandstand.  With the addition of the grandstand, events such as demolition derbies, truck & tractor pulls, concerts, rodeos and motocross competition was added to the fair.

            In 1982, the Board of Directors implemented a “pay one price” admission.  This was a successful move for the Society in trying to keep the fair as a family oriented event.  Not only does the fair educate and provide fun for all, it is affordable as well.

            Currently, the Society uses the 30 buildings during the 6-day fair to showcase 4-H and open class exhibits in livestock, horticulture, floraculture, domestic arts, culinary arts and fine arts.

The success and hard work of the many volunteers over the past 47 years is clearly shown in the improvements and additions to the fairgrounds. 

            The Virginia O’Casek Building serves as the Administration Building; housing the fair office, a kitchen, and a beautifully remodeled reception hall that is used for meetings, wedding receptions, and many other special events.

            The Summit County Farm Bureau Antique Museum was built in 1991.  The museum has been noted as “one of the best antique farm equipment and home artifact museums in the state of Ohio”.  The museum received so many donations that in 1995 an addition had to be added to the building.

            The Arena Complex opened in February, 1994.  The 68,000 square foot, multi-use facility is rented year round for events such as indoor motocross races, horse shows, craft shows and dog shows.  During the fair, the arena houses the 4-H booth exhibits, entertainment and commercial booths.

            As we look to the next century and continue working towards being a “state of the art” facility, we are dedicated to the idea of educating and keeping our agricultural roots alive.  We are proud of our past and will continue to strive into the future.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND HONOR OUR PAST AND CURRENT DIRECTORS OF THE SUMMIT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

 It is with great pride, respect and thanks that we dedicate our success and growth to those individuals who have served on the Board.  We extend our appreciation, not only to those individuals listed but also to their families.  For if “you” served on the Board, more often than not, it meant your spouse, children, parents, siblings and friends also contributed their time.

We apologize for any errors or name omissions incurred from not having access to the 1960 and 1963 Premium Books.  If you have these two books, we would appreciate you contacting the Summit County Agricultural Society. 

Bagwell, Richard

1992 – 1995

Bales, James

1958 – 1962

  
 Barrett, Rob 1996 – 1998
 Baumgardner, Ora 1967 – 1974
 Baumgardner, Virginia 1967 – 1978
 Bell, John 1984
 Bittaker, Dennis 2007 – 2018
 Bloom, O.R. 1957 – 1996
 Boers, Wallace E. 1979 – 1983
 Bourgeois, Roger 1997 – 2014
 Borton, Paul 2016 – 2019
 Brogdon, William 1968 – 1970
 Brooks, Ken 1987
 Brooks, Jeff 1995 – 1998
 Bryson, Janet 1965 – 1982
 Buchs, Mrs. Harry 1957 – 1962
 Burda, Mike 1971 – 1976
 Call, Charles C. 2002
 Call, Charles E. 1957 – 1976
 Call, Howard L. 1972 – 2001, 2013 – Present
 Call, Theresa 2011 – Present
 Ciriano, Joe 2002 – 2006
 Clay, Jina 2015 – Present
 Cochran, Diana 2004 – Present
 Cochran, John 2003 – Present
 Cochran, Megan 2011 – 2012, 2016 – Present
 Cranz, Damon D. 1957 – 1962
 Crawford, Kenny 1976 – 1980
 Crews, Tom 1978 – 1982
 Crites, Lee 1978 – Present
 Crites, Nancy 1993 – Present
 Crossen, Dennis 1998 – 2002
 Cunningham, Cathy 1993 – Present
 Cunningham, Robert G. 1993 – 1996
 Davis, Amanda 2008 – 2013
 Davis, Charles 1987 – 1993
 Davis, Harold 1973 – 2003, 2005, 2006 – 2009
 Davis, Jim 1987 – 1997
 Davis, Kellie 1987 – 1996
 Davis, Mike 1993
 Davis, Raymond 1979 – 1982, 1989 – 1995,   1997 – 2013
 Delmoro, Mary 1984 – 1986
 Dick, Ken 1980 – 1989, 1992 – 1998
 Dick, Mary 1983 – 1990
 Dolman, Steve 2008 – 2016
 Douglas, Donald 1962, 1964, 1966
 Dull, Jim 1994 – 2000
 Dunn, Robin 1992
 Eckart, Mary 1957 – 1979
 Eckart, Robert 1967 – 1980
 Emmett, Daniel 1972 – 1981
 Etz, James 1985 – 1992
 Etz, John 1964 – 1979
 Firestone, John 1967
 Fonner, Bryan 1995 – 1996
 Frederick, Bernard 1985 – 1994
 Frederick, Cora 1993 – 1996
 Frederick, Dean 1981 – 1996
 Freeman, Steve 2016 – 2018
 French, Sid 2003 – 2004, 2005 – 2008, 2010, 2015 – Present
 Frock, Robert 1979 – 1980
 Furnas, A. R. 1957 – 1959
 Gang, Boyd 1974 – 1977
 Gates, Dave 1979 – 1989
 Gilger, James 1976 – 1977, 1979
 Gill, James 1966 – 1972
 Gill, Robert 1967 – 1969
 Goodyear, Rod 1967
 Grissom, Steve 1979
 Grossen, Kenneth 1964 – 1975
 Gustavel, Becky 1976 – 1982
 Hale, Andy 1986 – 1990
 Hale, Dan 1990 – 2015
 Hale, Elizabeth 1988 – 2014
 Hall, Clyde 1973
 Harkins, Mark 2005 – 2007
 Harkins, Pennie 1983 – 1985, 1995, 2004 – 2007
 Hawsman, Angela 2014 – Present
 Hawsman, Michael 2011 – Present
 Hawsman, Michael Jr. 2014, 2016- 2023
 Helms, James A. 2002 – 2012
 Hereshberger, Mrs. Kenneth 1957 – 1967
 Himelright, Wayne 1967 – 1975
 Hogue, June 1983 – 1986
 Hogue, Lori 1980 – 1982
 Hogue, Robert 1977 – 1986
 Hookway, Debbie 2016 – Present
 Horner, Patrick 1993
 Horner, Vicki 1991 – 1993, 1995 – 1997
 Horst, William 1968 – 1994
 Hutchison, C Paul 1990
 James, Rick 1985 – 2002
 Jandrey, Richard 1984
 Jeffery, Mrs. James 1957 – 1962
 Johnson, Andrew 1970 – 1972
 Jordan, Mary Ann 1996 – 2004
 Jordan, Matthew 2000 – 2006
Joyner, Ashley2019 
Hawsman, Brittany
 Kingsley, Turman
2022 – 2023
1973
 Kirk, George 1985 – 1986, 1988
 Kish, Joyce 1990 – 1993
 Kish, Steve 1988 – 1991
 Klimczak, John 1976
 Koffman, Cordelia Bidwell 1964 – 1969
 Kuhn, Carolyn 1973 – 1976
 Kuryla, Lyn 1967
 Lauby, Ralph 1957 – 1978
 Laughard, Bill 1980 – 1982
 Lawton, Jay 1978 – 1981
 Lawton, Marg 1980, 1990 – 1994
 Lesniak, Mrs. Katherine 1961
 Long, Howard V. 1957 – 1959
 Loudin, Lonna 1983 – 1985
 Low, Curt 1974, 1977, 1982 – 1984, 1987 – 2019
 Low, Mary Ellen 1993 – 2017 
 Low, Terry 1984 – 1987
 Lowdermilk, Brian 1998 – 2003
 MacDonald, Megan 2004 – 2006
 Maroush, Paul 1973 – 1978
 Martens, Mary 1957
 McCloskey, Judith 2001 – 2003
 McRitchie, James 1998
 Metzner, Robert 1979 – 1980
 Mishler, Dr. William 1983 – 1984
 Mitten, Joe A. 1957 – 1975
 Molyneaux, Rita 2016 – Present
 Montgomery, Haley 2015
 Myers, Milton 1981 – 1982
 Myers, Willis 1966- 1978
 Nelson, Rich 1990 – 1991
 Nokes, Dr. Richard 1981
 Novy, Dale 1975 – 1978
 Novy, Mrs. Glen 1970 – 1974
 O’Guinn, Randy 1975
 Palmer, Rose 1982 – 1987
 Papes, Ron 1966 – 2006
 Parker, Lindsay 2015 – 2021
 Phillips, Harry 1981 – 1985, 1992 – 2000
 Poje, Ron 1982 – 1985
 Polcen, Jeff 1986 – 1997
 Polcen, Jim 1976 – 1977, 1980 – 2007
 Polcen, Jackie 2002 – 2007
 Preston, Jim 1978 – 1979
 Preston, Ken 1975 – 1978
 Prueter, Walton 1966 – 1969, 1973 – 1978
 Pyott, David 2010
 Quintrell, Debbie 2015 – Present
 Reed, George S. 1957 – 1980
 Reed, Helen M. 1957
 Saari, Vickie 1983 – 1989
 Schmittle, Mrs. C. A. 1975 – 1977
 Sedlak, Kelsey 2008 – Present
 Sedlak, Sam 2016 – Present
 Shaffer, Mae 1986
 Skowronski, Henry 1968 – 1974
 Smith, Harvey E. 1957 – 1959
 Starcher, James 1975 – 1988
 Steiner, Ted 1961 – 1962, 1965 – 1971
 Stephen, Melissa 1995
 Stephen, Pam 1983 – 1992, 1995 – 1996
 Stephen, Rex 1991 – 1994
 Stephens, Paul Jr. 1970 – 1971
 Stoller, H. S. 1957 – 1959
 Storey, Richard 1999 – 2011, 2018-Present
 Tallant, Harry 1973 – 1981
 Thompson, Jeff 1982 – 1983
 Thompson, Kevin 1980 – 1983
 Trent, Albert C. 1957 – 1962
 Turner, Kellie 2002 – 2004
 Tyndall, Mike 1983
 Urycki, Becky 2001 – 2002
 VanDerlin, Bob 1974 – 1978
 Warner, Mark 1982 – 1983
 White, Robert S. 1970 – 1974
 White, Tralynne 2014
 White, Ty 2003 – 2014
 Whitehead, Kay 1968 – 1979
 Williams, Jerry 1979 – 1989
 Williams, John 1988
 Wilmoth, Tim 1983 – 1989
 Winnett, Glenn 1993 – 1996
 Wokojance, Brad 2007 – 2012
 Wokojance, Chris 2004 – 2022
 Workinger, Helen 1957 – 1959
 Wotowiec, Marilyn 1986 – 2005
 Wray, John 1979 – 1982
 Zeis, George 1964
 Zuravel, Laurie 1997 – 2001
 Zuravel, Paul 1997 – 1998
  
 HONORARY  DIRECTORS
 Call, Charles E. December, 2005
 Call, Jean December, 2005
 Frederick, Bernard October, 2014
 Frederick, Dean October, 2014
 Graf, John December, 2005
 Low, Mary Ellen December, 2017
 Papes, Ron January, 2007
 Polcen, Jim November, 2007

~   ~   The 1950’s   ~   ~Information gathered from archives available to us
1955 Summit County Fair
 Held September 13th thru 18th Location – Summit Beach Park, W. Miller Avenue & Lake Shore Blvd., Akron Ohio Heading Described the Event as:  Rides, 4-H Clubs, Free Acts, Granges, Industrial Exhibits Sponsored By:  The Summit County Fair Association (Constitution adopted April 5, 1950)
Officers and Directors:
 Jos. M. Cromleigh, President J. C. Schneckenburger, Vice-President Ed. M. Palmer, Secretary-Treasurer Mrs. W. E. Batcheldor Abigail Dickerson Gladys Griffith Chester Lake Willis Myers Oliver Ocasek Walter P. O’Neil Frank Thomas Mrs. A. H. Point Mrs. Grant Reagle John Rodgers Earl Schafer Mark Shanafelt Robert Spaethe Mrs. R. W. Stem Eric Thompson 
 
   Honorary Fair Board Members:  
 Oren D. Carter Summit County Commissioner Ralph Kibler Summit County Commissioner John Poda Summit County Commissioner Martin W. Essex Supt., City Schools of Akron Carl Coffeen Supt., County Schools P. G. Gunnett Supt., City Schools of Barberton F. H. Bode Supt., City Schools of Cuyahoga Falls Richard Howard County AgentJust a few of the Advertisers in the “fair book” (note the phone numbers)  
COMPANY LOCATION TELEPHONE Thomas Drain Service 35 South College, Akron POrtage 2-7677 Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Akron 695 Johnston Street POrtage 2-3914 Carlton Supply Inc. 1910 E Market Street STadium 4-1231 The Hatterie 126 S Howard Street BLackstone 3-3213 Young’s Hotel 2744 Manchester Road SHerwood 5-6116 Kesserling Dairy 1529 Triplett Blvd. STadium 4-1241 WAKR Radio or WAKR TV 853 Copley Road POrtage 2-8811 Willard Dry Cleaners and Dyers 236 E Exchange JEfferson 5-4322 Harnar Construction Company 947 Roslyn Avenue UNiversity 4-7859    Just a few of the Exhibits and Premiums offered: 
DEPARTMENT CLASS PREMIUM 1st, 2nd, 3rd Pony Stallion, 3 years old or over, registerd $7,   $4,   $2 Dairy Cattle Senior Yearling Heifer $10,   $7,   $5 Beef Cattle Bull Calved 01-01-53 to 08-31-53 $10,   $8,   $5 Women’s Butter, 1 lb. covered dish $1,   $0.75 Women’s Syrup, 1 pint  (Maple or Sorghum) $0.50,   $0.35 Women’s Homemade Soap, six pieces $0.50,   $0.35 Household Fabrics Hand Tied Rug $0.75,   $0.50,   $0.35 Household Fabrics Hand Loom Rug $1,   $0.75,   $0.50 Tatting Lace, 5 kinds, not less than 1/2 yd ea. $1,   $0.75,   $0.50 Drawnwork Russian, Mexican or Italian hemstitching $1,   $0.75,   $0.50 Hobbies Pine Need Basket or Reed (round) Basket $2,   $1    Just a few of the Junior Fair (4-H) Projects Offered: Tractor Maintenance Corn Growing I and II Personal Accounts Salads, Sandwiches and Summer Drinks Conservation V – Farm Mapping Tailored Clothes Steer Feeding Tree Planting    During the fair there was a 4-H Baby Beef Show and Sale.  The Official Judge was Earl C. Gibbs, Sr., from Cleveland, the Auctioneer was S. C. Sprunger from Kidron and the 4-H Club Advisor was Harvey Smith from Bath.  Beef Club Members were as follows:  James Botos, Macedonia Steve Botos, Macedonia John Fister, Copley Dick Fulton, Ghent David Lauby, Greensburg Edward Lauby, Greensburg Barry Long, Bath John McConnell, Manchester Bill Mishler, Macedonia Joan Mishler, Macedonia Tom Reed, Hudson David Stoller, Bath John Stoller, Bath Jim Novy, Macedonia Joan Hershberger, Tallmadge Karl Hershberger, Tallmadge Donna Morton, Copley Richard Morton, Copley James Golden, Greensburg