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Is it possible for signs to be so garish, showy and splashy that they render themselves functionally invisible? That was our first thought as we walked along the midway at Northern Ohio’s famous Fulton County Fair.

As we weaved our way through the throng of hungry fair food aficionados, we were overwhelmed by the flags, banners, menu boards and backlit signs using every font and color under the sun to promote a wide variety of (mostly fried) foods.

So, join us on a virtual journey through this maze of tasty temptations. Will you give in to a candy apple, Polish sausage or a giant turkey leg? With so many choices, it’s hard to guess. But one thing’s for sure: The signs guarantee you won’t be confused about the delectables on offer at the Fulton County Fair. And that you won’t leave hungry.

See you next year!

PHOTOS AND INTRO BY: Jeff Russ
CAPTIONS BY: Mark Kissling and Mildred Nguyen

What’s a county fair without cotton candy and caramel apples?

Cubans and Reubens is as tasty a rhyme as they are sandwiches.

This vendor updated his signage theme but turkey legs are so Renaissance Fair.

The fonts on this menu sign, which clearly evoke old-timey neon and hand-lettering, almost add a touch of glamor to the deep fried offerings.

Thirsty yet? How about some strawberry lemonade? Should be a dentist’s tent adjacent.

Not exactly the basic food groups pyramid we were taught in grade school. Oh, and replace that cut-vinyl lettering at the top left!

Zooming out from the previous photo, this pizza vendor decks out in green, white and red to really emphasize the Italian connection, plus mascots that sure look a lot like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Y’all paying for that endorsement?

Maybe “Shake-Ups” represent the health-food option and hence, the paucity of clientele.

One of the few truly coordinated vendor uses of similar-themed signage and flags. And then they throw it all away with the “Alien Slushi” standup display out front.

Speaking of “Slushi,” this vendor promises a “rainbow of flavors” for ice cold sugary drinks and that reflects in the very bright, very loud signage. It is a rainbow, alright.

I’d scoff at the use of zip ties to hold this bright but slightly ill-fitting banner to its framing posts… but that’s what we’ve been doing at ISA Expos for years with ours!

A nice pictorial of a cow for the “Real” milkshakes sign. You can trust the Dairy Association to budget for that.

After a slew of primary color contrasts, the blue-white palette and use of negative space here seem minimalist in comparison.

At a glance, tenderloins may not be the only jumbo item on offer, and that hanging lemon looks a little precarious.

OK, I’ll admit we’ve been having fun with some of the displays and food selections but now we are seriously craving fair food. I could kill for an onion blossom.

With its earthy brown and green, as well as lettering that channels an old country spirit, Fulton County Fair’s welcome sign conjures a more rustic experience than what we’ve seen thus far. Someone should update that lifted white vinyl lettering though.

A 16-Sign Tour of the Fulton County Fair

A 16-Sign Tour of the Fulton County Fair

Is it possible for signs to be so garish, showy and splashy that they render themselves functionally invisible? That was our first thought as we walked along the midway at Northern Ohio’s famous Fulton County Fair.

As we weaved our way through the throng of hungry fair food aficionados, we were overwhelmed by the flags, banners, menu boards and backlit signs using every font and color under the sun to promote a wide variety of (mostly fried) foods.

So, join us on a virtual journey through this maze of tasty temptations. Will you give in to a candy apple, Polish sausage or a giant turkey leg? With so many choices, it’s hard to guess. But one thing’s for sure: The signs guarantee you won’t be confused about the delectables on offer at the Fulton County Fair. And that you won’t leave hungry.

See you next year!

PHOTOS AND INTRO BY: Jeff Russ
CAPTIONS BY: Mark Kissling and Mildred Nguyen