Dewine revives sleepover tradition at fair
Ohio governors have slept in tents, livestock barns and even on piles of hay at the Ohio State Fair throughout the years.
The tradition of spending a night at the fair started with Gov. James Rhodes, who slept on hay in the barn with the 4-H exhibitors in 1982. For nearly 30 years after that, whoever was governor would spend a night at the fair (though not always in the barn).
Then in 2011, Gov. John Kasich decided to start a new tradition: He would visit the fair, but sleep at home. For eight years, he avoided the sleepover.
“I’m not sleeping in the barn; let’s get that straight right now,” he told The Dispatch in 2011. “And I’m not wearing that silly hat that (former Gov. George V.) Voinovich wore, either.”
This year, Gov. Mike Dewine decided to bring the tradition back. He and his wife, Fran, spent Thursday night at the fair, opting for a trailer in the Natural Resources Park. roasting marshmallows to get the perfect s’mores and relaxing after a day at the fair.
They had spent the day fishing at the park, taking a tour of the livestock barn and eating fair food.
Dewine said he is a believer in traditions, which is why he decided to stay overnight.
“I can’t tell you how many people come up to us just on the fairgrounds and say, ‘I’m really glad you guys are sleeping at the fair again,’” Dewine said.
Fair officials weren’t about to criticize Kasich for skipping out on the sleepovers, though.
“It’s a tradition for some but not all Ohio governors,” said Alicia Shoults, marketing and public relations director of the fair.
Dewine opened the 166th annual fair with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning. It’s Dewine’s first Ohio State Fair as governor.
The Ohio State Fair will continue through Aug. 4.