Clevelanders have the chance to experience a little bit country ( and a little bit rock-n-roll), not to mention the sight of award-winning animals, prize-winning vegetables and fruits, carnival rides and games, harness racing and the demolition of lots of cars at the 117th annual Cuyahoga County Fair at the 117 acre Fairgrounds in the Cleveland southwest suburb of Berea, Ohio running from Monday, August 5 through Sunday, August 11.
Cuyahoga County Fair Featuring 20 midway amusement rides, 100 food stations, hundreds of animals and lots of special entertainment and exhibits, the Cuyahoga County Fair is a family-friendly event sure to please all ages.
One of the featured attractions is the world's largest Demolition Derby (Monday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.) featuring 100 drivers crashing their junk cars into smithereens until only one driver is left. And if you love cars and trucks, you won't want to miss the Monster Truck Show and Figure 8 Racing featuring Aftershock driven by Bob Robbins and Krazy Train driven by Mark Noto presented on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.
For horse racing excitement, come to the Grandstand on Tuesday at 2 p.m. for harness racing.
This year's Fair features two major live musical tribute attractions.Wish You Were Here - a Pink Floyd tribute will take place on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. showcasing the music of the legendary band. Ticket prices are $9.85 for General Admission and $14-$15 for VIP Track seating the day of the concert.
The other major musical event will be the Bonfire AC/DC Tribute Band on Friday, August 9 at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 for General Admission the day of the show and $12 for the VIP Track seating on the day of the show.
Other featured performers at the Fair include juggler and unicyclist Wade Henry, Jungle Bob with his menagerie of animals, chainsaw wood carvers, square dancers and the Bo Jangle Clown Troupe.
Activities include the First Bite Fishing Tanks (where kids can learn about fishing including how to bait and cast their lines), a haunted house, craft demonstrations, a Buckeye Pedal tractor pull, a horse show ( 8 a.m. on Saturday) and pig racing.
And make sure you don't miss the big fireworks show on Saturday, August 10 at 10:30 p.m.
Another attraction that is 'must-see" is the Mac and the The Big Cheese, a comedy cooking show that involves stand-up comedy and instructional cooking.
Be sure to make a stop to see the Victory Arch (Eastland entrance to the Fairgrounds) after its restoration and visit the Fairwinds Wind Turbine & Educational Center Project.
Hours for the Cuyahoga County Fair are 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Monday, noon - 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon - 10 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 4-12. Children 3 and under are free. Amusement rides and some activities have an additional cost. Parking is free.
For more information on the Cuyahoga County Fair call 440-243-0090 or get online at www.cuyfair.com.
The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is located at 164 Eastland Rd. in Berea, Ohio. There is also an entrance on Bagley Rd.
