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Grandstand Entertainment
CLOSED FOR 2025
Harness Racing
When: Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025 at 4:00PMRace Info: Coming Soon
Tickets: FREE Admission
Please join us for Harness Racing action with Pari-Mutuel wagering (betting) on 9 or more races. Pick your favorite horse by name, driver colors or the horse that catches your eye. Fans come from near and far to enjoy some of Ohio’s best 2- and 3-year-olds competing. Our Race Announcer will paint a picture of each action-packed one-mile race, including exciting stretch drives for the WIN. This year, we will also be running a memorial race in honor of Roy DeVault, a former harness horse trainer, who for many years acted as presiding judge for the Fair, as well as for races at Northfield Park. There will also be a memorial race for Hunter Myers a harness race rising star who lost his young life in a tragic racing accident earlier this year. Hunter was from Chagrin Falls and often raced at MGM Northfield Park Harness. We will also be running a race called the Grindstone Pace, in recognition of Berea's history of making grindstones. So long as the track is safe for racing, this is a rain or shine event, so we look forward to seeing you, your family, and friends for an exciting evening of racing action and family fun!

And if you're attending the Cuyahoga County Harness Races on Tuesday, August 5th, be sure to visit with MGM Northfield Park's Bob Roberts from 2:00PM-4:00PM at the Grandstand for Handicapping 101, in which Bob will offer insights on how to read a race program, while providing pari-mutuel wagering tips.
Bob Roberts is a native Clevelander who grew up in Willowick. He knew he wanted to be a sportswriter when his father took him to an Indians game and he asked who those guys were typing on a countertop behind home plate in the upper deck of old Municipal Stadium.
"They're sportswriters," said his dad. "That's their job."
Roberts began his career at the Mentor Morning Monitor before heading over to The Willoughby/Lake County News-Herald where he was named sports editor in 1970 at the age of 22. Roberts was hired by The Cleveland Press in 1973 and returned to The News-Herald when the Press folded in 1982. The Cleveland Plain Dealer hired Bob in 1985 and he remained there for over 20 years before accepting a buyout in 2006.
Roberts has won numerous awards. They include best harness story in North America, best Preakness story, a Golden Quill for feature writing in western Pennsylvania, and more than 10 state-wide writing awards in Ohio.
Draft Horse Pull
Championship Pro Wrestling
When: Thurs, Aug 7th @ 5PM & 7:30PMChampionship Pro Wrestling returns to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds for Cuyahoga Slam 2025 on Thursday, August 7th at 5PM and 7:30PM featuring a double main event:
- Mr. Entertainment JD Smooth and WWE Alumni James Ellsworth vs. Half Pint Punk Eric Smalls and Cleveland's Own JRocc Daddy
- Mr. Cornelius Crummels vs TNA Star Rich Swann
Additionally, there will be a ladies match and much more!
* Card Subject to Change
Horse Show
When: Saturday, Aug 9th at 8:00amShow Bill, Entry & Sponsorship Forms: Click Here
Please join us at our annual horse show for riders young and old! Our class for the youngest group is for children 6 and under. Classes are offered for many different types of riders including Academy Riders – children and adults who show horses they take riding lessons on, Youth classes – riders 18 years and younger competing to win the Youth High Point Award, English classes – for both Hunt and Saddle seat riders, Western classes, and the crowd favorite Costume class – where horse and rider participate in very creative costumes. We offer many qualifying classes for the American Saddlebred World Championship horse show at the Kentucky state fair in Louisville, Kentucky. We are also a qualifier for ASHBA National Select Series Championship. See a rare Cuyahoga County Horse show and as a bonus enjoy the FAIR!
Fair Nights, Enchanted Lights - A Firework + Drone Experience
When: Fri, Sat & Sun at 10PM (Weather Permitting)Step into a world of wonder at the Cuyahoga County Fair with "Fair Nights, Enchanted Lights"—a mesmerizing spectacle blending cutting-edge drone technology with breathtaking fireworks, making its debut at this year's fair.
Experience the night sky come alive as synchronized drones dance in harmony, painting vibrant patterns and spellbinding formations overhead. Against this backdrop, colorful fireworks burst in a symphony of light and sound, creating an unforgettable visual symphony that illuminates the fairgrounds.
Perfect for families and thrill-seekers alike, "Fair Nights, Enchanted Lights" promises a magical evening of innovation and celebration, marking a new era of entertainment at the Cuyahoga County Fair. Don't miss your chance to witness history in the making with this unprecedented fusion of technology and tradition!
2025 Demolition Derby
When: Sun, Aug 10th, 2025 at 2:00PMTickets: $15 General Admission | $25 Preferred Seating (TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)
Entry: Registration to participate in the Demolition Derby is day of event, on-site only. For details, click here to visit the Derby Dog website.
Rules:
- 2025 Power Wheels
- 2025 Street Stock Full Size - $1000/$400/$200
- 2025 Stock Mini-Van/Trucks/SUV - $1000/$400/$200
- 2025 Street Stock Compact - $1000/$400/$200
- 2025 Windshield - $800/$300/$100
- 1/2 Car - Point Series
More info at DerbyDogDemo.com/cuyahogafairderby
