Destiny Kurtz and her sisters enjoy seeing the animals every summer at the Richland County Fair.
“We didn’t grow up with those kind of animals,” the Mansfield resident said.
This year, they took their 1-year-old baby sister, Kiara Mack, to her first fair. They learned she might not have the same favorites they do.
“I like the rabbits, but the baby does not like the rabbits,” Kurtz said. “She does not like them at all.”
The larger animals, though, seemed to be more exciting for the little girl.
“We took her to see the horses and she was OK with them,” Kurtz said. “She did a little pony ride. She was OK with that a little bit.”
The baby seemed to enjoy the rest of the fair, which was a good sign for her older sisters.
“We definitely love going to see the animals every year,” Kurtz said. “And the rides for sure, the food and family. We’re just out having fun.”
The 2026 Richland County Fair runs through Aug. 15 at the fairgrounds, 750 N. Home Road in Mansfield.
‘I want to win her a stuffed animal’
The baby’s other sister, Aryan Conrad, 16, of Mansfield, was happy the midway on Aug. 13 was easy to navigate.
“It’s a lot less crowded than I thought it was going to be,” Conrad said. “I thought more people were going to be here, but I’m glad there’s not as many people here.”
The food was her favorite part of the fair.
“I like to come and get all the different types of food,” Conrad said. “I got sno-cones, and then I got a piece of pizza.”
The slice of pizza, she said, was big.
“I liked the cheese,” Conrad said. “It wasn’t burnt or nothing. It was perfect and real good.”
Along with the sisters was their friend Veronica Kelly, 16, of Mansfield. She was excited about the rides and carnival games during the 2026 Richland County Fair.
“I want to win her a stuffed animal,” Kelly said, pointing to the baby.
The group was having trouble deciding which game would be the best to try.
“As long as it’s not that one where you throw the ball at the pins,” Kurtz told her young friend. “That one’s rigged. Don’t do that one.”
‘The best feeling ever’
Across the midway, Elyana Webel, 15, of Mansfield, was trying to win herself a goldfish.
It was her second day at the fair.
“There’s good food here and the rides are very fun,” Webel said.
Her favorite ride was called the Loop-O-Plane.
“It’s cool when you feel like you’re dropping almost when it stays at the top,” Webel said.
The Loop-O-Plane ride is a crowd favorite at most fairs, Dylan Reid, who was working the goldfish booth, told her.
The girl threw her final ping-pong ball, which bounced off the glass containers of water and landed on the ground.
“The old trick used to be bouncing it off the sign, but that’s not allowed anymore,” Reid said. “Arching it up like a rainbow, the ball bounces around a lot more, makes some musical notes and has a better chance to go in.”
He should know: he has watched thousands of people try to win a goldfish.
“I guess I’d be considered a carny,” Reid said. He lives in Tiffin and works Ohio fairs.
He said people talk about their goldfish not living long, but he has a simple solution.
“The trick to keep your fair fish alive is water conditioner,” Reid said. “It’s like $3 at Walmart. They have it at every pet store that sells fish.”
Adding a small amount of the chemical to sink water protects the fish from the chemicals.
“The tap water that we have in America has too much chlorine in it and it breaks down the fish’s gills,” Reid said. “After about an hour, the damage is done.”
He likes to tell families that tip, especially if they have a youngster who wins their first fish.
“That’s like the best feeling ever. They have such joy when they win a fish,” Reid said. “That’s actually why I enjoy doing this game. It’s just fun seeing the little kids win.”
Contact Zach Tuggle at 419-564-3508. Follow him on X at @zachtuggle.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Families enjoy food, games and fun during the Richland County Fair
Reporting by Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal | USA TODAY Network
