The Cuyahoga County Fair Collection

Held each summer at the County Fairgrounds in Berea, the Cuyahoga County Fair has been a source of excitement and fun for Greater Clevelanders since 1893. Each year thousands of families come to the fair; some to enjoy the carnival rides and food, some to enter their livestock and produce in the competitions in hopes of winning a prize.

The Cuyahoga County Fair Collection consists of 120 photographs from the Cleveland Press Collection, taken from the 1920s to the 1980s. The photos depict fair activities and fairgoers of all kinds, from prize-winning cattle to children competing in races.

Another part of the Fair Collection is a 28-minute 1970 documentary titled County Fair, U.S.A., which provides a nostalgic look back at the Fair as it was a generation ago.

Also included are photos and audio interviews taken at the Memories of Cleveland Exhibit at the 2006 Cuyahoga County Fair, which was hosted by the Michael Schwartz Library, Cleveland State University. The exhibit featured many memorable photographs from the library's special collections of people, places, and events from Cleveland's past.

Collection Features: