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Trumbull fair-goers braved heat, smog and rain

By Bob Coupland 2 min read
Staff photo / R. Michael Semple From left, Shreve Johnson, 17, of Farmdale, Edie Johnson, 23, of Farmdale, Nathan Stano, 22, of Cortland, and Zoe Johnson, 26, of Farmdale, relax in the shade of a large tree outside the Historical Village while attending the Trumbull County Fair on July 14. Officials said attendance was down by several thousand, but blamed the extreme heat, smog from the Canadian wildfires and rain Saturday evening for the lower turnout.

BAZETTA -- Trumbull County Fair attendance for this year was at 42,300, which fair officials said is less than last year, but still good despite having to deal with heat, smog and severe weather.

Kiersten Holmes, fair board director and secretary, said overall, the 180th annual fair went well this year, with best attendance numbers on Sunday at 12,700 for the final day followed by opening day on Tuesday at 8,000 and 7,500 on Friday.

Holmes said Sunday is usually the most well attended each year with the demolition derby and fireworks display being big draws.

"It's the weekend and last day of the fair, so families like to be there," she said.

"The weather was great on Sunday and is why we drew our best attendance. People like the final day because of the fireworks that close out the fair,'' Holmes said.

Other attendance numbers were 5,700 on Wednesday, 4,600 on Thursday and 3,800 on Saturday.

Holmes said weather did play a role, with Tuesday and Wednesday being very hot days in the 90s, while Thursday and Friday had a smoke smell and hazy smog from the Canadian wildfires, and rain Saturday afternoon and evening.

Holmes said usually Saturdays are well attended, but with the threat of severe weather that day, less people attended.

She said attendance was down from 45,000 in 2025. Holmes said the public had the chance to see the new buildings this year for displaying the small animals and the 4-H building that opened last year on the west side of the fairgrounds.

"The new attractions like the wiener dog races, glass blowing and chainsaw carving, as well as the animal auctions, were well attended. There was a reptile show and harness racing that people enjoyed. There were displays and exhibits in the commercial building that people liked," Holmes said.

"The livestock market sales set a record at $620,000. Our youth worked very hard this year," she said.

Holmes said while everyone is tired from the busy week, setting a record on livestock sales made it worth all the hard work. Livestock sale totals in 2025 was $542,853.

Fair attendance in other years was 44,980 in 2024, 48,237 in 2023 and 47,000 in 2022.

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