State Fair getting ready for opening Wednesday

A mass wedding at the Ferris wheel will give one couple a free honeymoon.
By MICHELE C. HLADIK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Thrills, food, entertainment and competition will highlight the 2006 Ohio State Fair, which opens Wednesday and runs through Aug. 13.
"It's a good showcase of everything Ohio has to offer," said Ohio State Fair spokeswoman Christina Minier.
Among the highlights on opening day is a $2 admission price until 6 p.m. and a mass wedding at the Ferris wheel, culminating in one lucky couple's winning a honeymoon.
According to Minier, the wedding is sponsored by a Columbus area radio station.
She said that after the wedding, the couples will take a couple of spins on the Ferris wheel and whoever lands on the bottom, wins the honeymoon.
Rides
For fairgoers who don't want a little spin in their day, the Space Roller might do the trick.
Minier said this new ride is shaped like a windmill.
"Everything that can spin 360 degrees, does," she said.
For slightly fewer spins, riders could try the Hang 10, which is also new to the fair this year.
"We have a lot of new attractions this year," Minier said.
While visiting the numerous farm animal exhibits, fairgoers can also visit the exotic animals at the Wild World of Animals show or the dogs of the Purina Incredible Dog Team Challenge.
The Palace of Illusions offers visitors a chance to see sword-swallowing and fire-eating.
"It's an old school show," Minier said.
Other new attractions include Masters of the Chain Saw, the Little Hitch horses and numerous other entertainers.
Those want to entertain others as well as themselves could try the Dancing Heads exhibit, which imposes fairgoers' heads over someone else's dancing body.
Old favorites
Traditional favorites will also be available on the grounds, including jugglers, magic and comedy shows, the All-Ohio State Fair Band and the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, and numerous agricultural and nonagricultural exhibits from all parts of Ohio.
Minier said she is not sure the exact number of Ohio exhibitors competing in this year's competitions, but said the fair expects to see the same number of exhibitors as in past years.
4-H
Among those exhibits are numerous Girl Scout, 4-H, FFA and other projects by youth exhibitors and competitors.
Wayne County expects to send about 56 4-H participants with nonlivestock projects and about 40 with livestock projects.
"It gives them an opportunity to take their project a step further," said Sherry Nickles, the Wayne County Extension Educator for 4-H Development.
"It just kind of helps keep that level up."
Julie Herron, Columbiana County extension educator for 4-H development, said she believes competing at the state fair also gives students a chance to learn to compete and be honorable as well as teaching them more about their projects.
"It gives them a taste of the real world," she said. "It'll broaden their horizons. When they go into these things they learn a lot along the way. Of course they wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun."
Columbiana County expects to send 16 kids with horse projects and with small nonlivestock projects. Herron said she wasn't sure how many students would be there with livestock projects, but said there are usually several from the area.
More information about the fair is available at (888) 646-3976, (614) 644-3247 and www.ohiostatefair.com.