STRANGE STORIES OF THE OHIO STATE FAIR

Sideshow at the Ohio State Fair, August 2010.

BOB HOPE- Bob Hope grew up in Cleveland and is claimed as an Ohio son. Hope appeared at the fair a record 15 times--more than any other performer. First in 1966. Last at the age of 88 in 1991. Just once during the term of a Democratic governor.

THE FAIR'S FAVORITES- These are the performers that have appeared most frequently at the Ohio State Fair:

15 Bob Hope Comedian 1966-70, 1972, 1975-82, 1991
14 The Oak Ridge Boys Country 1980, 1982, 1984-91, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2008
9 Johnny Cash Country 1958, 1969-71, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1996
9 Mac Davis Country, pop 1971-78, 1981
8 The Osmonds Pop 1965, 1967, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1986
7 Pat Boone Pop, Christian 1956, 1957, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1988
6 Alabama Country 1984, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005
6 Rascal Flatts Country 2002, 2005-07, 2009, 2010
5 The Beach Boys Rock, pop 1974, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988
5 Kenny Rogers Country, pop 1972, 1978, 1979, 2006, 2009
5 Kool & The Gang R&B 1981-83, 1986, 1988
5 Vince Gil Country 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002

As one might expect, a little heavy on the country-side.

NO VACANCY- In the early 20th Century, fair week overwhelmed the city. Every hotel room was taken. Hotels set up cots in halls and ballrooms. Rooms and even front porches in the University District rented for up to a week’s wages.

JIM RHODES- Ohio governor Jim Rhodes (1963-71, 1975-83) loved the fair. It was his custom as governor to attend every day and press the flesh. To the chagrin of all later governors, Rhodes established the tradition of the governor spending a night at the fair.

THE FLESHPOTS OF 11th AVE- In the early years of the fair, rural Woodward Ave. (11th Ave.) would be lined with illicit, makeshift bars, games of chance, gambling dens, lurid sideshows, and even brothels to separate fairgoers from their cash.

ORPHANS!- In 1902, The Children’s Home Society invited fairgoers to pick out and adopt an orphan at the fair.

BUTTER DARTH VADER- In 1977, Star Wars-mania reigned and the fair featured a butter Darth Vader. A summer storm knocked out power and Darth slowly melted in the August heat. Grisly.

MICHAEL JACKSON- On August 31, 1973, 15 year old Michael and his brothers appeared at the fair as The Jackson Five.

PRE-TEEN RIOT- In 1989, several girls were injured in the tumult generated by a New Kids on the Block concert.

DEATH AT THE FAIR- In 1899, two people were shot and killed when real and blank rounds became mixed during a recreation of The Battle of San Juan Hill by National Guardsmen.

BABY BEAUTY CONTESTS- In the early 20th Century, vaguely eugenic beautiful baby contests were a popular draw at the fair. In a strange coincidence, the winner of one of these contests became fair director in the 1990s.

A great source of information about the fair, its traditions, oddities, and history is C. LaVon Shook’s History of the Ohio State Fair (2000). Recommended.

Postcard image of produce display at the Ohio State Fair, 1910s.