Blogs > N-H Media Lab and Archive

Following the happenings of The News-Herald Community Media Lab, as well as the library and archive, where we're digging to find historic people, places, events and things to see how much the times have changed or how much they have stayed the same.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Looking back: The Lake County Fair

The Lake County Fair opens today, and Staff Writer Caitlin Fertal previewed the event, including the 6 p.m. parade and themed days scheduled throughout the six-day fair. Visit www.lakecountyfair.org for more details and the schedule.

In honor of the opening, I decided to take a look back in the archive to spotlight some moments in the fair's more recent history.


In 1980, News-Herald Staff Writer Maggi Martin profiled Lynn Plaisted of Willoughby. The 90-year-old hadn't missed a fair since it began in 1912. Read Martin's full story by clicking the image below to enlarge it:
My favorite part: "I gave up smoking, I don't drink, and I don't chase women," he said.

The 1980 fair was the last one Plaisted attended. He died in 1981. Last year, he was among the first class inducted into the Lake County Fair Hall of Fame.


The economy was a concern at the fair in 1982. Staff Writer Keith Jameson wrote about worries that the number of buyers would be down and the prices paid would be incredibly low. Read Jameson's full story by clicking the image below to enlarge it:


The price of admission to the fair rose in 1983 - from $3 to $4, and that price included all mechanical rides. Today, admission to the fair is $6 for general admission per day unless otherwise noted, and free for those ages 12 and younger. The cost of admission does not include rides. Read the full story from Staff Writer Jim Sweeney by clicking the image below to enlarge it:


The 1984 installment of the fair started off on a sad note, as 20-year Fair Board Director Joanna L. Fuller died shortly before the fair opened. Read the full story from Staff Writer Jim Sweeney by clicking the image below to enlarge it:


The 1988 fair provided an opportunity for then-Cleveland Mayor George Voinovich to stump in Lake County during his first bid for the U.S. Senate. "... the Republican candidate said he believes he will 'do very well in Lake County,' a traditional Democratic stronghold." I didn't realize before reading this that Democrats outnumbered Republicans by such a big margin 23 years ago. Read the full story from Staff Writer Jonathan Riskind by clicking the image below to enlarge it:
Voinovich lost his election bid, but was elected Ohio governor in 1990. After serving two terms, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Glenn.


In 1992, a new pavilion on the fairgrounds was dedicated to the memory of former Lake County Agricultural Society Secretary Florence Belcher. Read the full story from Staff Writer Scott Linabarger by clicking the image below to enlarge it:

Belcher is among those to be inducted in the Lake County Fair's second Hall of Fame class.


In 1993, Johnny Cash was scheduled to headline the grandstand entertainment at the Lake County Fair. Grandstand seating for the concert was free with regular admission to the fair, and track seating tickets were $8. Read the full story by clicking the image below to enlarge it:

I'm so curious about such a big star performing in Lake County. Did anyone attend this show?


OK, this one has much less to do with the history of the fair than the entertainment value of the opening sentence. Looks like Indians fever spread beyond the Sports section. Read the full story from Staff Writer Craig Webb by clicking the image below to enlarge it:




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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