FAIR TAB: Medina County Fair to provide free, family-friendly entertainment this year

MEDINA — This year's Medina County Fair will feature new and returning free family entertainment. Fair Director Pam Oberholtzer said Heritage Day is coming back to the fair this year after being gone for a few years. A blacksmith, potter and quilting club will show crafts to fairgoers 1 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 in front of Building 22. She said spinners and weavers will also demonstrate their crafts in the sheep barn 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2. "These are the kind of old-time crafts that we don't see as much anymore that people can just stop by and visit," Oberholtzer said. "They usually have items to purchase." NEO Extreme Games will bring bubble soccer and extreme cornhole to this year's fair for the first time, she said. Participants can play games inside an inflatable or try cornhole in which every board has a unique twist to it 1 to 8 p.m. daily behind Building 22. The Wilderness Adventure will return for its second year, Oberholtzer said. The event, from 3 to 7 p.m. July 29 to Aug. 3 in the west end of the community center, features immersive fishing, archery and emphasizes hunting and gun safety. The following educational presentations will take place as part: Dog training and agility at 5 p.m. July 30 Medina County Park District will have animals at 5 p.m. July 31 Ohio School of Falconry at 5 p.m. Aug. 1 Medina Raptor Center at 5 p.m. Aug. 2-3 "We try to do a lot of education as well as entertainment," Oberholtzer said. Another example of educational entertainment is the free science interactive shows, she said. Whiz Bang Science Show will perform multiple shows July 30 and Aug. 1 throughout both days. Mad Science of Northeast Ohio will then do shows Aug. 2-3. Cracker Jack the Clown will also be at the fair throughout the week with magic-themed circus shows in the entertainment tent and the creation of balloon animals July 31 and Aug. 3. A variety of live performances are also a part of the Medina County Fair, Oberholtzer said. Fairgoers can listen to music throughout the week. The following musicians will perform at the fair: Third Monkey Band at 7 p.m. July 29 at Building 22 Back Alley Relics at 7 p.m. July 30 at Building 22 20 Horses Band at 8 p.m. July 30 in the pavilion Jessica Bella Band at 7 p.m. July 31 at Building 22 Recess Band, who won the fair's battle of the bands last year, at 8 p.m. July 31 in the pavilion Honors band, choir and orchestra at noon Aug. 1 in the pavilion 42 South Band at 8 p.m. Aug. 1 in the pavilion Yearbook Band at 8 p.m. Aug. 2 in the pavilion Dogwood Rockers at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Building 22 Paradise, the Meat Loaf tribute, at 8 p.m. Aug. 3 in the pavilion "We do some country," Oberholtzer said. "We do some classic rock. You just never know what's going to be in there." For more information on this year's events, visit medinaohiofair.com. "This is something for all ages and every generation," Oberholtzer said. "We're trying to keep agriculture still at the forefront since Medina County is not very agricultural, and we're always open to suggestions." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.