Where to Find Youngstown Fair Food Favorites 

From homemade Italian sausage sandwiches to hand-kneaded stromboli, fair food holds a special place in our Youngstown hearts. Here are some popular Mahoning County fair food vendors and where to find them this summer.

 

@thehungrycouple614_dirussosDiRusso’s Sausage

Since 1963, DiRusso’s Sausage has been serving up their famous homemade Italian sausage sandwiches to festival and fair goers all across Northeast Ohio. Made with fresh rope sausage (using a family recipe that dates back to 1946), DiRusso’s sandwiches have become a fair food staple for Youngstown. You can find DiRusso’s Sausage sold at many Youngstown-area grocery stores, or you can buy their sandwiches hot from their food stand in front of Camelot Lanes on Route 224 in Boardman, Friday-Sunday starting at 11am. DiRusso’s Concessions also travels to a variety of festivals and fairs throughout the summer. See DiRusso’s schedule here.

 

Molnar’s Concessions

Molnar’s Concessions serves up all sorts of fair favorites- steak hoagies, French fries, lemon shakes- but what people wait hours for (yes, hours) are their enormous frosted cinnamon rolls. These larger-than-life sweet treats come topped with a heaping dollop of traditional frosting or sticky pecan topping. They’re delicious and 100% worth the wait. Look for their food truck parked on the corner of Mahoning Ave. and S. Turner Rd. in Austintown, Tuesday through Saturday 10am–9pm.

 

Vlahos Original Greek Gyros

Nothing quite hits the spot like a well-prepared gyro, and Vlahos Original Greek Gyros knows how it’s done. Their menu features original, chicken, veggie and jumbo gyros, piled high with seasoned proteins and freshly made tzatziki sauce. They also serve up salads and traditional baklava. You can find Vlahos stationed at a variety of local businesses around the Youngstown area including Austintown Pools & Spas on Route 46 in Austintown (check their Facebook page for up-to-date locations).

 

@mariahangelina17_canfieldfairWhere to Find More Fair Food Favorites:
(Note: dates, times, and locations may change. List last updated 7/30/20)

Jaam Concession
Mahoning Avenue (Mashorda’s parking lot), Austintown
Thursday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-5pm

Tina’s Kitchen
Champ Field, 600 S. Raccoon Rd., Austintown
Sunday-Thursday in July, 6pm-8:30pm
Moving to Mashorda’s parking lot on Mahoning Ave. August 4

DeLuca’s Italian Cuisine
11715 Mahoning Ave. (across from Carter Lumber), North Jackson
Tuesday-Friday 11:30am-7pm, Saturday 1-6pm

Roller Up Ice Cream
E. Midlothian Blvd. (across from Schwebel’s), Youngstown

J&J Concessions
3614 Canfield Rd. (corner of Meridian and Canfield Rd.), Cornersburg
Friday, Saturday
Funnel cake, oreos, elephant ears

Demailos Concession
1655 Raccoon Road (across from Wedgewood Pizza), Austintown
Daily, hours vary
Sausage and steak sandwiches, fries

Kona Ice
1655 Raccoon Road (across from Wedgewood Pizza), Austintown
Monday-Saturday, 1-7pm

Lisko’s Funnel Cakes
704 Youngstown-Poland Rd. (Sr. Jalapeno parking lot), Struthers
Daily, hours vary

 

 

Which vendor are you most looking forward to seeing this summer? We have a hard time choosing just one. For more information about dining in Youngstown and all things happening in Mahoning County, visit our website or our Facebook page.

Family Guide to Mill Creek Park: Summer Edition

Spanning over 4,500 acres and filled with winding trails, calm lakes and sprawling playgrounds, Mill Creek MetroParks offers ample opportunities for families to explore. Continue reading for more details on a variety of family-friendly activities at Mill Creek.

 

Family-Friendly Hike and Bike Trails

father son hikingBetween navigating strollers and managing young kids, hiking and biking trips can become tricky if you don’t pick a trail that suits your family best. Luckily, there are plenty of easy to moderate trails in Mill Creek for families to explore, without the added hassle of steep inclines or rocky terrain. View the Mill Creek Park Trail Guide for more information.

  • MetroParks Bikeway: 11-mile paved trail with parking available at the MetroParks Farm and Mahoning Ave. and Kirk Road trailheads
  • East Cohasset Hike & Bike Trail: 1.5-mile asphalt trail closed to motorized traffic
  • Slippery Rock Trail: short 0.4-mile trail with easy terrain and steps near Old Furnace Rd.
  • Lily Pond Circle Trail: a 0.25 mile loop with easy, flat terrain around the scenic Lily Pond

 

Family Fun Golf Nights

Every Friday and Saturday night in the summer, Mill Creek Golf Course is offering families a special opportunity to play a discounted round of golf! The Family Fun Golf Night special is $25/family of four and includes two golf carts and green fees for the group. You can call 330-740-7112 for tee times or book online at millcreekmetroparks.org.

 

kayakingBoating Opportunities

There are beautiful lakes in Mill Creek waiting to be explored by boat, kayak or canoe! While Mill Creek’s boathouses are closed until August 31, 2020, families are still invited to bring their own boats, kayaks and canoes that comply with the MetroParks regulations. Boat, fish or simply explore 44 acres at Lake Glacier or over 60 acres of open water and 40 acres of wetlands at Lake Newport.

 

Search for Wildlife

With miles of trails and acres of wetlands, Mill Creek MetroParks offers great opportunities for kids and adults alike to view wildlife. Grab your binoculars and enjoy a fun family day of nature exploration at Mill Creek.

  • Newport Wetlands: located at the southern end of Lake Newport; watch for waterfowl, songbirds, herons, muskrat and beavers
  • Mill Creek Preserve: 44-acre wetland restoration area that attracts birds, butterflies, dragonflies (especially in the summer months) and crayfish
  • Vickers Nature Preserve: look for ducks, herons and river otters
  • Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary: over 200 documented bird species have been observed here; look for waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, egrets, songbirds and bald eagles

 

Visit a Playgroundplayground

Per the Governor’s guidelines, Mill Creek reopened their outdoor playgrounds on June 10, 2020. Safety guidelines are posted at each playground site for visitors to follow. You’ll find playgrounds in the following areas:

  • Wick Recreation Area (Note: Wet Playground is closed through August 31, 2020)
  • Scholl Pavilion
  • Stitt Pavilion
  • Chestnut Hill Pavilion
  • Volney Rogers Field
  • Lower Bears Den Picnic Area
  • Yellow Creek Park

                                          

Wick Recreation Area

The 65-acre Wick Recreation Area, located in Mill Creek, is home to a variety of courts, fields and children’s play areas. Right now, the area’s par-3 golf course, baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts and playgrounds are all open for families to use. The football fields, volleyball courts, dek hockey rink and wet playground are closed through August 31, 2020.

 

Physical Distancing Guidelines

Just like other public facilities, Mill Creek MetroParks encourages visitors to follow their COVID-19 guidelines for safe park use.

  • Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms
  • Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails
  • Be prepared for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains
  • Observe the CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons at all times

For more details and the latest updates on Mill Creek’s facility closures, visit their COVID-19 updates page.

 

There are so many ways for families to have fun at Mill Creek MetroParks! For more family-friendly spots in the Youngstown area, visit our Facebook page or our website.