The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Fishing, fair make fun, educational pair
Attraction at Great Geauga County Fair draws families from near and far
The 195th Great Geauga County Fair is jam-packed with all the traditional attractions one might expect: rides, games, food vendors and produce, baked-goods and livestock exhibits.
But then a voice comes over a loudspeaker that, for those not already in the know, opens up a whole new world for folks who have never enjoyed the pleasure of fishing, cleaning fish and/ or eating freshly fried catfish caught straight from a pond that day.
“Attention K-Mart shop- pers,” said the voice, belonging to Geauga County Wildlife Officer Scott Denamen. “The fresh, fried catfish is ready... It’s golden and delicious...”
Calling out to the crowd from the “Cook Shack” located on the west bank of the pond in the Natural Resources Park area of the fairgrounds, Denamen was advertising one of the Great Geauga County Fair’s most popular attractions among families wishing to get a little angling in while enjoying everything else the fair has to offer.
It’s the fishing event, open to children aged 14 and younger. And it’s been a fixture at the fair for at least 30 years, Denamen said, adding that it’s a great way to introduce folks, who may never have been exposed, to the joys of harvesting and preparing wild game.
Combined with the fishcleaning and cooking exhibits, it’s truly a pond-toplate experience for those who catch large enough fish and wish to prepare and eat them at the fair, or elsewhere.
“The natural resources (area) here at the fair gives folks an opportunity to experience some things they don’t necessarily get to experience every day — or, really, in their lives — depending upon their backgrounds, where they live...”
He said that’s the aim of the Natural Resources Park at the fairgrounds — to introduce and/or foster a better understanding of what it is to be active in the outdoors.
“There are folks here from all kinds of organizations: The Lake Metroparks, Geauga Park District, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Foundation... The list goes on,” he said. “And everyone here is willing to talk to the full spectrum with you — not just hunting and harvesting animals, but about conservation, observation — the whole nine yards. It’s not just about killing and eating meat.”
One area family that’s familiar with the attraction spent some time fishing Sept. 2.
Mentor residents C.J. and Halle Krueger brought 4-year-old son Austin to the fair and said he was “really excited” about doing some fishing there.
“We were here last year,” Halle said, adding that is when Austin first fished at the fair. “He was really excited to do the fishing again this year.”
Halle and Austin’s dad, C.J., said they do some fishing around their hometown of Mentor and other area lakes and ponds throughout the year. But it’s especially nice to be able to do it at the fair.
“This definitely gives little kids a better chance to catch a fish,” C.J. said. “And it’s a little more action that standing around a pond (else-
where) for two hours before getting a bite.”
Both elder Kruegers agreed it’s especially nice that the fishing is free at the fair. Plus, they said, it breaks up the day, between the rides, the fair-food and other attractions that aren’t so interactive.
“We like the animal barns — the horses and cows,” Halle said. “Normally, that’s why we go to the fair. But it’s nice to break things up with a little variety. And it’s nice that this is so hands-on.”
She added that she’s been an avid fair-goer her whole life.
“My dad was raised on a farm, so he always took us to the different fairs growing up,” she said, adding that it’s definitely a family tradition. “So now we take our kids to the fair.”
On the topic of family traditions, Denamen said he’s watched countless young people grow up around the pond and the Cook Shack over his decades of participation and he can vouch for the fact that it’s a tradition for families from far and wide.
“They love it,” he said. “I’ve watched kids grow up from a set of fingertips stealing fish from the counter to telling me: ‘Yeah, I’m in college now.’ It really is a tradition for a lot of families.”
The 195th annual Great Geauga County Fair runs through 8 p.m. Sept. 4 in Burton Township.