Yesterday my hometown was crowded with people, animals, concessions, and rides for the start of the 178th Canfield Fair. When our small city sees the trucks and trailers start filing into the fairgrounds for the largest county fair in Ohio, we feel the excitement and anticipation!

Some people enjoy visiting the fair during daylight hours but there’s something magical about exploring it after the sun sets. One of my favorite sights and sounds is when the bright hot daylight starts to fade in the horizon then hearing the lightbulbs humming as the soft glow of the food trucks, games, building lights, and especially the midway rides, that begin to pop on and glimmer up and down the corridors. 

There is a different vibe. It feels more serene and the crowd shifts to a slower pace. The day’s heat is behind us and people are ready to relax and meld into the cooler air. Sitting on benches to people-watch is enjoyable without contending with the blazing sun.

High school football games are scheduled for Labor Day weekend and some parents may be shopping for last-minute back-to-school supplies. So on some nights, the fair crowd feels thin. 

Our food choices switch from day to night. We replace lemon shakes and snow cones with a cinnamon roll and coffee. Some years there is a chill in the air once the sun sets and on those nights I’m glad I brought a sweatshirt as we enjoy our nighttime fair snacks. 

Many exhibits, booths, and animal barns are bustling during the day with oinks, horse whinney sounds and fairgoers wanting to look through the glass cases to see who earned a blue ribbon. After dark, there’s more room to stroll and linger to see who won the top prizes. My favorite is the cakes and pies! 

The Canfield Fair’s slogan is Something to Crow About. If you don’t want to get there at the crack of dawn to experience the noise roosters typically make in the early mornings, visit the fair after dark..lol! It’s a different atmosphere and is contrasting to daylight hours. No matter what time of day you attend, have fun!