From motorcycles to music and horticulture to history, no matter your age or your flavor of summer, the Trumbull County Fair has something for you.

The air is thick and warm and the smell of salt, sugar, and oil mixes with hay and fur. There are men in civil war uniforms and teenagers sleeping in stalls with their cows. Engines rumble and howl. It’s July at the Trumbull County Fair.

You’d be hard pressed to find a Trumbull County resident who hasn’t spent at least one long summer day at the fair. Most will tell you about the ribbons they won when they were young showing animals with 4H. My father and his sister showed horses. I have a few ribbons, too – from the much less illustrious (and since discontinued) rain barrel painting contest.

As a teenager I looked forward to fair week. My friends and I would grab a fresh-made milkshake at the Dairy Bar and wind our way through the barns, saying hello to the horses, sheep, and cows. Then we’d walk the length of the midway and have our pick of fried food before twisting our stomachs into knots on the rides.

When I got older, I took more interest in the historic village and the colorful characters that camped nearby. I have a particular fondness for the little saloon with the swinging doors and porch. Next to it is the blacksmith’s building, which like the saloon was built just for the village. The 1845 Orangeville jail, the 1928 Ainsley “City Service” gas station, the West Farmington Post Office facade and the 1848 Bazetta Christian Church are all real historic buildings that were relocated and preserved on the fairgrounds.

I confess that I have not spent enough time perusing the crafts (how have I missed out on the ceramics all these years?). And I have not attended enough of the special events and musical performances. But I know the grandstand is a grand place to be – especially for the demolition derby – and that someday I’ll work up the courage to get on the helicopter that departs from the fairgrounds and makes a big loop over Mosquito Lake.

But I guess the point is this: from motorcycles to music and horticulture to history, no matter your age or your flavor of summer, the Trumbull County Fair has something for you. So, mooove on down to the fairgrounds (899 Everett Hull Road, Cortland), horse around, and enjoy a fair summer day this July!