PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP – Just over 106,000 people came out to the 2026 Lake County Fair and the 4-H livestock auction broke its record for the fourth year in a row, leading Fair Board member Bob Dawson to call the auction results “huge.”
The auction brought in $605,821.09, not only breaking last year’s record, but also showing a nearly 50 percent increase over the past 10 years, Dawson added.
While this year’s numbers didn’t beat the record-setting figure last in 2024, it was roughly the same as last year and well above the numbers the Fair saw in years prior.
Dawson said the weather – hot and humid, but clear for the most part – contributed to the attendance figure. Though a cloudburst Sunday afternoon may have depressed turnout slightly on the Fair’s last day.
“All in all, it was really good, really great,” he said.
Entertainment during the 2026 Lake County Fair began with the kickoff parade on Tuesday, July 28.
Motorsports at the grandstands included Dirt Night Motor Mayhem, Rogers Racing Promotions the Ohio Motocross Association (OMA) Faircross Series, KOI dirt track drag racing, CS Pulling Promotions and the return of the Lake County Demo Derby.
In addition to the food, fun and games, the Fair went off without any incidents, to which Dawson credited deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’m especially happy for the kids,” Dawson said.
