PHOTO BY DAVE BLISS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NIGHT… A photo of the Fulton County Fairgrounds at night was taken during one of the helicopter rides that were available at the fair.
PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ADKINS … Trace Adkins took the stage on Monday night for the 2025 Fulton County Fair’s Country Music Concert. At 6:30 p.m. that evening, just a half hour before the concert began, the concert was nearly sold out with only 200 tickets left, and people were still lining up to purchase some.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The 2025 Fulton County Fair has come to a close after a week filled with entertainment, agriculture, food, and family traditions that once again reminded visitors why it has earned the reputation as the “Top of Ohio” fair.
From grandstand concerts that lit up the nights to livestock shows that celebrated the hard work of 4-H and FFA youth, the fairgrounds in Wauseon were alive with energy during its one-week reign.
This year’s entertainment lineup drew crowds from across the region. Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins took the grandstand stage on Labor Day evening, delivering a show that fairgoers won’t soon forget.
“Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins, what a great show,” Laura Krill Galloway said. Keri J. Croft echoed the excitement, adding, “Last night’s Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins concert was AMAZING! Keep bringing in those shows and prove why Fulton County Fair is the best fair in the land.”
The enthusiasm wasn’t limited to country stars, though, as Diana Stanton described the Sanctus Real concert simply as “AWESOME,” while Lisa Sheridan, who enjoyed a second-row VIP seat at Bret Michaels’ performance, said it was “AWESOME!!!!!!”
While the concerts highlighted the evenings, many visitors said their favorite parts of the fair are rooted in tradition and the memories made year after year.
Babs Lovejoy Pfaff praised the fair as “the best Fair around. Something for everyone to see and participate in. The entertainment is great every year! Food is delicious!” Jason Underwood summed it up as simply, “Everything about it! The best fair in NW Ohio! The memories people make with their families!”
For others, the fair represents the heart of Fulton County’s agricultural heritage. Amy F. Spurgeon reflected on the deeper values passed down through the generations, noting that “kids learning values and responsibilities by taking care of their animals, they show” makes the fair feel like a family gathering. In her words, “In my 64 years, I look forward to this every single year and it never disappoints.”
That sense of tradition was echoed by Roger Hartman, who has attended for decades and now shares the experience with his grandchildren. “I have been going for many, many years. The atmosphere is fantastic.
You get to see things you may not normally see, along with great entertainment and the hard work the 4-H and FFA kids have done. I grew up doing this with my children and now my grandchildren. Wonderful life experience.”
Visitors also praised the tireless work of young exhibitors. Janet Doyle shared that walking through the fairgrounds each year is inspiring because of “how hard youth and adults have worked on their projects, getting them ready for display. Hundreds of hours throughout the fair, right down to showmanship, to donuts every year are so worth going to. Enjoy every area.”
From the midway filled with rides to the food stands serving everything from milkshakes and ribeye sandwiches to deep-fried Oreos, the 2025 Fulton County Fair once again blended entertainment, agriculture, and community into a celebration that felt both timeless and fresh.
As the lights dimmed on the final night and the Veterans’ Association lowered the flag, the fair left behind another year of memories. Proof that the tradition of the Fulton County Fair is as strong as ever.
