​Ohio's Only County Fair Band

The Great Geauga County Fair Band, organized in 1937, is Ohio's only all-volunteer county fair band. The band entertains audiences at parades, concerts in the park, and various community events. Twice daily concerts at The Great Geauga County Fair include marches, show tunes, patriotic favorites and diverse musical styles and compositions.

Band membership is open to anyone 15 years of age and older. Practice begins in April and the Band plays at festivals, parades, homecomings and other events during the summer and continues through the Fair each year. A collection of trophies for its many appearances is housed at the Fairgrounds.
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Come hear the band practice Tuesday evenings, weather permitting, 7:30 p.m. at the Vernon Howard Band Pavilion on the South end of the fairgrounds. Bring a lawn chair, relax and enjoy the music. 

Fair Band Schedule 2023

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - First Rehearsal, Chardon High School- 7:00-9:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – First Rehearsal – Chardon M.S. – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 28, 2023 - Blossom Festival Parade – Lineup 12:30 p.m., Parade begins 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - Metzenbaum Center – 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. – in place of rehearsal
Saturday, July ?, 2023 - Fairgrounds Fireworks – 8:00-10:00 p.m. 
Thursday, July ?, 2023 - Madison Square – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 – Claridon Strawberry Festival – 7:00-8:00 p.m. – in place of rehearsal
Sunday, August 13, 2023 - Troy Homecoming Days - 5:00-6:30 p.m.
No Rehearsal Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Saturday, August 19, 2023 - Garfield Home - 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - Chesterland Square - 7:00-9:00 p.m.

The Great Geauga County Fair Band Performances at the Fair
August 31-September 4, 2023: 2-3 concerts daily in the Vernon Howard Pavilion

Fair Band News & Articles

August 26, 2021 - "Vernon Howard Contributed Music and More to the Fair Band" Article in Chagrin Valley Times

August 20, 2021 - "Band Tunes Up for Performances at Geauga Fair" Article Geauga Times Courier
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March 19, 2020 - "Fair Band Marches On" Article in the Maple Leaf

March 23, 2017 - Geauga Fair Announces New Band Director

Fair Band History

The Band was first organized by Cliff Rossiter after the 1936 Fair, under the direction of Azro Cheney, with high school band members and other musicians from around the county. The forerunner and inspiration was an All-County high school band, under the direction of Raymond Dehnbostle, which played during the 1930s until 1936. The Band became known as the official Geauga County Fair Band and played at the Geauga County Fair in 1938 and has played at every fair since that time.

The band has had members from seven counties in northeast Ohio: Geauga, Lake, Portage, Ashtabula, Trumbull, Cuyahoga, Lorain, plus several other Ohio counties and states and has played in many area communities. Over the years, more than one hundred members have participated in the band, including many members of area families, and in many ways the Fair Band has become like one large extended family. Today, the Band has about forty to fifty active members. 

The Band by T. Dwight Ladd (original charter member)

When it comes to tastes in music
I'm not one of the elite,
For my choices run from Mozart
Down to lower Basin Street.
But I get most satisfaction
Through the ear and through the eye
On the fairgrounds down in Burton
When the band goes marching by.

I remember marching proudly
In my suit of grey and red,
One eye always looking downward
If the horses were ahead;
Days of rain-and sweat-soaked garments,
Sunburned faces, throats parched dry,
All are part of the big picture
When the band goes marching by.

Fifty years and more of tooting:
Summer, autumn, sun, and shade;
And some players now are stepping
Down the trails their grandsires made;
And a number now are waiting
In that bandroom in the sky
Where there's no one late for practice
When the band goes marching by.

If my life on earth allows me
To escape the sinners' fate,
I prefer no tinkling harp strings
When I reach that golden gate,
But some good old solid Sousa
To re-echo through the sky
And set angels' feet to tapping
As the band goes marching by.

Pictures from the "Red Coat" Days - 1956-1970

"The Geauga County Fair Band is a unique organization. We have played at every Great Geauga County Fair since 1938. All of our members, past and present, are proud to be part of the history of the Great Geauga County Fair." from charter member Vernon Howard's "History of the Geauga County Fair Band"  

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