7 reasons not to miss Montgomery County Fair

It’s your last chance to experience the county fair in downtown Dayton.

The Montgomery County Fair — an annual celebration of agriculture complete with deep-fried goodies, rides and nightly entertainment — will have its final run downtown next week.

>> Create the perfect deep-fried lunch at the Montgomery County Fair with special lunch deal all week

But this is definitely not the end; just a new beginning. The fair will move to its new location at Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp. for 2018 (Mark your calendars for July 9-14, 2018).

Here’s what you need to know if you plan to check it out.

THE WHEN AND WHERE

The 165th Montgomery County Fair kicks off Monday, July 10, and continues through Saturday, July 15, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, located at 1043 S. Main St. in Dayton, across from Miami Valley Hospital.

>> Your guide to county fairs across the region

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#FAIRwellonMain

No, it's not the final fair, but it is the end of an era at the downtown location. On that note, help the fair capture this final farewell by sharing your favorite fair photos and memories on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #FAIRwellonMain

>> A look back at the Montgomery County Fair before its final run downtown

THE MOUTHWATERING FOOD

There’s just something about fair food...

Let us tempt you with a few of these deep-fried, food-coma-inducing, sugary sweet treats you can find at this year’s fair. This is just a sampling of some of the fair food finds:

  • Smoked turkey legs
  • Bacon cheddar corndogs
  • Sugar Waffles, Funnel Cakes, Elephant Ears 
  • Apple Dumplings
  • Pizza Bombs
  • Loaded Tater Tots
  • Homecooked Chicken Bacon Alfredo, Italian Sausage Penne 
  • Ribbon Fries, Tornado Fries, Sweet Potato Fries
  • Fresh Baked Soft Pretzels, Fresh Baked Soft Pretzel Sweet Sticks
  • Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake
  • Deep-fried Oreos 
  • Homemade ice cream
  • Hot Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich

Yum!

LUNCH DEAL!

We’ll let you in on a little secret. If you work downtown or are craving deep-fried Oreos and Tornado Fries with a side of funnel cake for lunch so much that you don’t mind a drive, head to the fair on your lunch break.

Get free admission to the fair for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays only.

Then you can hop from vendor to vendor to assemble the perfect lunch.

Get ready to grub! 🍕🌮🌭Turkey legs, fried Oreos and a whole of yum at the Montgomery County Fair & Fairgrounds, Dayton OH! http://on.dayton.com/2sWPP6T

Posted by Dayton.com on Monday, July 10, 2017

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SPECIAL DEAL FOR VETERANS, SENIOR CITIZENS

On Monday July 10 only, Veterans/Senior Citizens Day get half-price admission.

General admission is $8, which includes parking if available and grandstand admission that evening. Children 6 and under are free with paying adult.

>> RELATED: 5 things you should know about the fairgrounds

THE RIDES

Part of the fun of the fair is the rides. Rides open daily at 1 p.m. Consider a ride armband for $20 to ride all the rides that day as often as you’d like.

Rides are planned to be open from 1-5 p.m. daily and 6-10 p.m. in the evening. But ride hours are subject to change.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

Tons of entertainment is planned nightly at the Grandstand.

Here are some highlights:

  • Monday 7 p.m. — Dirt Drag Racing
  • Tuesday 7 p.m. — Tug-A-Truck
  • Wednesday 7 p.m. — Truck and Tractor Pull
  • Thursday 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. — Harness Racing
  • Friday 7 p.m. — Rolling Stone Rodeo
  • Saturday 7 p.m. — Demolition Derby

>> PHOTOS: The fairgrounds in pictures

>> 7 buildings part of the first phase of new fairgrounds

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