Wayne County Fair returns for 176th year with tradition and new attractions

There are fair days ahead in Wayne County.

Thousands of fingers are crossed that the weather cooperates on the county’s early fall classic, the 176th edition of the Wayne County Fair.

There will be a few new attractions and lots of longtime favorites in store from Saturday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 11 in Wooster, according to new fair manager Jerrod Snell.

Snell was hired prior to the 2025 fair but worked alongside former manager Matt Martin before the latter became a Wayne County commissioner. This year Snell is as excited as anyone to see the event get underway.

“Planning for the fair starts the week after the fair,” Snell said. “We’re never not planning for the fair.”

A featured attraction this year is the Budweiser Clydesdales that will be on the grounds Thursday from 4-6 p.m. for a free grandstand show, followed by a trip around the grounds. Also new, Snell said, is the company bringing the rodeo, High Steel Rodeo Productions of New Bloomfield in Geauga County, on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Mutton busting for kids age 5-10 and weighing not more than 55 pounds will precede the event at 6 p.m.

The senior fair embraced technology this year, as all senior entries were done online. That’s 7,789 entries from 863 exhibitors, Snell said.

“We had a couple of hiccups that we’ll make better for next year,” Snell said, noting all entries were made online, even if fair staff had to help those not used to the technology.

Buss Hall marks its 70th year this year and will host 1,342 home economics entries, 2,130 floral entries and 950 art entries. The hall, erected in 1955, was named for Walter Buss, the fair’s manager from 1928-69.

And speaking of anniversaries, this year will honor 70 years of junior fair royalty.

This year’s grandstand entertainment includes the OSTPA Truck/Tractor/Mini Modified Semi Pulls Saturday at 7 p.m. to open the week and the Smash It Demolition Derby to close out the week Thursday at 7 p.m.

Musical entertainment is Gabby Barrett Sunday at 8 p.m., We The Kingdom Monday at 8 p.m. and Dylan Scott Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Barrett, who finished third on the 16th season of "American Idol," saw her debut single, “I Hope,” rise to the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 and be certified seven times platinum. Her most recent album, “Chapter and Verse,” was released in February 2024.

We The Kingdom takes its name from the idea the kingdom of God is here among us, according to the band’s website. The contemporary Christian group is composed of brothers Ed and Scott Cash, along with Martin Cash and Andrew Bergthold. We The Kingdom has won Dove Awards and is a multi-Grammy Award nominee.

Dylan Scott came on the country scene in 2013 with his debut single, “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy,” and had his first No. 1 single with 2016’s “My Girl,” a song he wrote for his wife. The record eventually went platinum. His most recent release, “Easy Does It,” came out in May.

Ticket sales for all the events ebb and flow throughout the year, and Snell said he expects one final push once the extended weather forecast becomes available. The fair is known for its quality of musical entertainment year after year, and Snell credited a subcommittee of the fair board for choosing the acts.

It’s all a matter of tour routing. “And is the artist willing to come?” he said.

This summer has seen headlines about shootings and other crimes at Ohio fairs and festivals.

“Safety is always on the forefront of our mind with our fairgoers,” Snell said, noting the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is contracted to provide security at the fair and has a fully staffed rotation throughout the event.

In the days running up to the fair, Snell said, passersby will see the tents go up, followed by the vendors coming on-site. But he is quick to add that the fair also is a celebration of 4-H members and FFA members, who will see their own ribbons awarded. In years past the junior fair included Snell’s own three children. And although two have gone into sports, his 11-year-old will still show a goat.

As for his first time solo, Snell said he is on hand not just for the county fair, but also for all the events — from book sales and gun bashes to trade and fiber shows — that take place 42 of 52 weeks of the year. Still, he said, fair week is like no other.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “I’ll help wherever I need to be.”

As an aside, Snell said there will be a few new food vendors this year, but all the favorites, from barbecue to doughnuts, funnel cakes and pork sandwiches, will be just where fairgoers would expect them.

“Other than that, it’s the same Wayne County Fair,” he said. “It’s good to have change, but it’s good to have what people are comfortable with as well."