Staff photo / R. Michael Semple John Petrovich of Lowellville, owner of Wicked Food & Games, attaches shirting to his french fry stand wile preparing for the upcoming 180th Trumbull County Fair. The fair opens Tuesday and runs through July 19 at the fairgrounds in Bazetta.

Fair fare

July 19: Fireworks, to follow demolition derby

BAZETTA — Plenty of fun, food and attractions will be available when the gates of the 180th Trumbull County Fair swing open Tuesday.

Officials with the fair said there is something to enjoy for everyone at this year’s event, including the popular harness racing and demolition derby.

The fair will run 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through July 19.

Kierstin Holmes, Trumbull County Fair secretary and board director, said: “We want to make sure everyone who comes here has a good time. Families will be able to find so many things to see and do. We hope for good weather and great attendance.”

She said among the new attractions this year will be wiener dog racing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and a glass blower and woodcarver with the items created during the fair to be auctioned off at noon on the last day of the fair.

Holmes said a traveling aquarium will feature fish from around the world, a reptile exhibit will include an alligator, the Steamers will perform acrobatics and juggling, and the flower barn will feature Trumbull Master Gardeners.

The Trumbull Fair admission is $15, which also includes rides and grandstand events. admission. Also on its opening day, admission will be $5 and a ride pass is $10 so adults who don’t want to go on the rides can save money. Those at least 62 can get into the fair for $5 the other days.

Veterans and first responders will have free admission with identification on Wednesday.

Holmes said, “It’s one-price admission for Wednesday to Sunday with parking and grandstand events included.”

At the Trumbull County Fairgrounds, a few buildings were improved, including a separate building for small animals to be shown and work to the 1970s grandstand.

“We have many improvements at the grandstand,” she said.

Holmes said among the improvements are repainting, new LED lighting, overhead doors at the grandstand and a new public address system put in by Hudson Communications.

She said if a child is lost, an announcement can be made for everyone to hear no matter where they are at the fairgrounds.

She said state Rep. Sandra O’Brien, R-Lenox, secured $500,000 in grant funding for the improvements.

Trumbull Career & Technical Center electrical program students with their instructor Mark Taylor did the electrical work.

Among other attractions will be truck and tractor pulls, grandstand activities, local bands, rodeo, racing pigs, amusement rides, a demolition derby and Cracker Jack the Clown’s Circus.

The historic village will bring together several historical societies and organizations that will showcase their many items. There is also a historic saloon, theater and mining area.

Attendance at last year’s Trumbull County Fair was 44,659 compared to 44,980 in 2024. This was a slight decrease from the 48,237 patrons who attended the fair in 2023 and nearly 47,000 visitors who came in 2022.

Last year’s fair had mostly cooperative weather and some new attractions.

Holmes said she and the board were pleased with the turnout in 2025 and look forward to a good turnout in 2026.

Holmes said the final day of the fair always does well because of the demolition derby, which is always a popular event. She said other attractions that make the fair popular to visitors include the milkshake stand and the showing of animals.

Last year, a new 4-H building was opened on the west side of the fairgrounds and was also an attraction for visitors to see and will be used again this year.

The building was used during various events at the nearby horse ring. American Rescue Plan funding covered the cost of the $685,000 project.

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Opening day Tuesday schedule of events

Opening Day — $5 gate admission (does not include rides)

8 a.m. — Admission Gate C opens/remaining gates open at 10 a.m.

8 to 10 a.m. — Market hog weigh-in

8 to 9:15 a.m. — Flower show entries accepted at front of Flower Barn (split door)

8 a.m. — Junior Fair equine English show

9 a.m. — Dairy goat show, dairy arena

10 a.m. — Opening ceremony at Historical Stage, Exhibition Halls open

11 a.m. — 4-H booth judging at 4-H Block Building

11:30 a.m. — Junior Fair coronation at Historical Stage

Noon — Vendors open

12:30 p.m. — Harness racing at Grandstand

1 p.m. — Junior Fair rabbit showmanship at Rabbit Barn

1 p.m. — Flower show opens in Flower Barn

1 p.m. — Junior Fair sheep show at Dairy Ring/open sheep show to follow

1 to 5 p.m. — Rides open

4:30 p.m. — Harness racing at Grandstand

5 p.m. — Junior Fair staging for parade at Junior Fair area

5:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Grand March and float competition

6 to 9 p.m. — Dead Flowers Band at Historical Stage

6 to 9 p.m. — Stephen Ceremuga at Bicentennial Stage

6 p.m. — Junior Fair hog showmanship at Sale Barn

6 to 11 p.m. — Rides open

7 p.m. — Junior Fair parade of colors and patriotic costume class at Sawyer Ring

7 p.m. — Wiener dog races at Grandstand

10 p.m. — Fair closes for the day