Canfield Fairgrounds — Local services in Canfield

Ive been attending the Canfield Fair since 1973. I always attend atleast 2 days. Ive seen years where you could tell times were hard meaning the economy. Ive attended years where you had to be pulled out of the field by tractors due to mud. This year was some of the best weather I remember for yrs. This was always a yearly tradition for me and my dad. I will start with positives. The tractor shuttle people were great. I commend the food vendors for keeping prices decent considering how expensive costs are. I realize with almost 400 acres and many buildings to upkeep that the fair grounds are very expensive to upkeep. The New buildings are a great addition. I attended the tractor pulls and I know its neither an easy or inexpensive fix or upgrade, but the bleachers absolutely need upgraded and are extremely small and uncomfortable. I remember since a kid Id comment how nice it was to have bathroom attendents. No more? Yes, possible they couldnt find anybody to work in todays world. Theres been damaged pavement in front of Pony racing barn for years. Again Im sure not an inexpensive fix, but should be on agenda Please. As far increased security? Ive been going over 40 yrs and Ive absolutely seen more security before. Again in todays world Im sure its not easy to find people to work. OSP did great with traffic control. This complaint has absolutely no legitimate excuse. Ive never never seen so many overflowing trash bins and trash all over the ground. Finally if the fair board is listening there has to be something put in place in regards to many questionable juveniles at night. Im sure it would be a very delicate situation to institute without controvery, but is needed. The fair is not a carnival or amusement park. I can see a situation in years to come going thru metal detectors. Ill finish with its a shame how it appears there are less animals, but I say a huge thank you to every farmer, 4H that still put alot of time and money and effort to provide your animals. In todays economy I can only imagine how hard it is to afford to upkeep your farms and try to make money. I look forward to 2024 and maybe see some improvements and hopefully all those who bring there animals to the fair can afford another year. You are the most important part of the fair. God Bless and see...

The annual Canfield Fair is as American as baseball and apple pie. The grounds are massive (300+ acres), the attractions are wide ranging, from exhibits including agricultural, livestock, arts and crafts, among others and events like tractor pulls, horse shows/races, the demolition derby (my favorite), and a good musical act to close the whole thing down. Then you have many carnival rides and many more games and an absolute myriad of foods. So much food. Then a bunch of people selling you stuff, from hot tubs to tractors to sham-wows (or whatever the 'hot' infomercial product is that year). I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff so, safe to say, the fair has it all. Hell, you can throw baseballs while eating an apple pie! What more can you ask for? If you step back and look at a slightly more macro level, I'm certain you'll see big Wall St banks getting over on all of the many small businesses represented here that take out loans to keep the gears turning, so you really are getting a true American experience!!! Soap box side, I personally had one of my first paying jobs peeling potatoes for fries and selling lemon shakes days before my freshman year in high school (aka. the good old days), so I'll always have a place in my heart for the fair. If you haven't been and you're even remotely close, do yourself a favor next labor day weekend and...

Went to see Brad Paisley in concert at the fair. Here is THE GOOD, THE BAD, and a SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.

THE GOOD

Brad Paisley was fantastic!!! I wasn't a fan, I just went to hang out with some friends that are. But, his show was awesome. I really enjoyed his performance.

We got something to eat on the way out and the vendors were really nice, even after having worked all day.

The policemen on ATVs in the orange lot were very polite, professional, and helpful. We had trouble finding our car and they really went above and beyond to help.

THE BAD

The private security guards at the entrance to the concert were absolutely awful. These guys were running completely "open loop" -- no supervision, no training, no accountability, no signage, no standardized screening procedures, no name badges or other visible identification. Clearly somebody gave them a white polo shirt and said "go at it!"

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Go see Brad Paisley. He puts on a fantastic show and will have you dancing and singing, even if you are not a fan. Just go see him anywhere but here.

In spite of the many positives from many hard-working people, the private security people at the entrance to the concert just found a way to ruin the whole experience. Avoid this fair...