Canfield Fair Attendance Bounces Back Over Weekend

CANFIELD, Ohio – After a slow start caused by high humidity and drenching rain, attendance at the Canfield Fair rebounded over the final three days as the weather became ideal. During the concert by Big & Rich on Sunday, Benjamin Chaszeyka of New Springfield surprised his now fiancée, Kristy Eckman of Leetonia, on the stage with an engagement ring. The total attendance for 2026 is 264,538, which is in line with expectations. The average annual attendance over the past five years is 267,615, making this year's number a decline of just 1.16%. 'Despite some weather challenges early in the week, we ended within 1% of the five-year average,' said Timm Schreiber, fair board director in charge of admissions. 'We're proud of how consistently our community continues to show up for the Canfield Fair and grateful to everyone who celebrated the end of summer at the 180th fair.' Here is the daily attendance for each day of the fair: Wednesday: 20,554, which was the lowest opening day mark since 2021, when 17,549 attended (it was 27,916 in 2025). Thursday: 21,707, with the fair being forced to close at 8 p.m. because of a storm (it was 28,850 last year). Friday: 34,588 (it was 42,053 in 2025). Saturday: 64,397 (it was 65,315 in 2025). Sunday: 73,715, which was the highest mark for that day since 2018 (it was 69,737 in 2025). Monday: 49,577 (it was 50,320 in 2025). Pictured at top: Love was in the air over the weekend at the Canfield Fair, as longtime mascot Rooster and his bride, Grace, tied the knot in a Saturday ceremony at Western Reserve Village gazebo.