Sweet spot
Otterbacher family concession stands staple at Ohio State Fair
Melvin “Dean” Otterbacher Jr. loves spinning cotton candy in his carnival-themed food stand at the Ohio State Fair.
It’s not the act of twisting the wisps of sugar around the white paper stick that he loves; he’s done that thousands of times.
It’s the wonder in the kids’ faces that makes it so memorable.
“Even though I could basically make it in my sleep, it’s always fun to watch a kid’s reaction,” he said. “It’s very sweet to see.”
The native of Burbank, in northeastern Ohio, coowns Otterbacher Bros. Concessions with his brother Kurt. They remedy fairgoers’ cravings for treats at three vending carts.
Otterbacher isn’t sure when his family entered the concession business. He guesses it was the 1950s, when his grandfather started traveling to festivals around Ohio. But it could have been earlier.
His father and namesake joined the family business when he got older. When he died in 1985, the Otterbacher brothers took over.
The family fries funnel cakes, spins cotton candy and pops homemade caramel corn. They also sell fair favorites such as elephant ears and fried Oreos.
They’re not the only Otterbachers at the state fair.
Three of Dean’s cousins own independent operations. While some sell similar items, at the end of the daythere’s little — if any — competition.
His first cousin, Jasmine Otterbacher of Medina, operates GLO Concessions. Its name is a nod to her father, Gerald Lee Otterbacher.
The family watches out for one another. If one of them runs out of supplies, they can count on family to help.
“When it comes to family, if we have it, we let them borrow it,” Jasmine Otterbacher said. “The Otterbachers are a huge family.”
Support comes from another type of family, too. Vendors form “carnival families” who regularly help each other.
“I’d say the most memorable moments of the fair always include family,” Dean Otterbacher said.
The Otterbachers remember 18-day state fairs and concerts in the open coliseum, with music booming through the entire fairgrounds.
At one time, there were at least 18 or 19 Otterbachers vending at the state fair, Dean said.
“I remember being one of the kids out here. Now I’m one of the old men,” he joked.
One of Otterbacher’s favorite memories is fishing with his children at the Natural Resources Park. He now does the same with his grandchildren.
Otterbacher has seen a lot of faces come and go. Vendors have retired, gone out of business and, sadly, passed away, he said.
At 62, Otterbacher acknowledges he has slowed down a little, but he at least goes to one event a week during the festival season.
Starting in April with the Chardon Maple Festival and ending in October with the Circleville Pumpkin Show, the family’s sweets fill stomachs at more than 30 festivals.
But Otterbacher has ample help. His grandchildren, 10-year-old Sebastian and 12-year-old Lucas Rawlins, are starting to help with the family business. He hopes to see his daughter and son-inlaw, Kelly and Shaun Rawlins, continue the family tradition.
“Family is the biggest part” of his business’s success, he said.