A popular attraction at the Crawford County Fair is bringing a close family even closer.

The Hamilton family has been operating Hamilton’s Putt-Putt Golf, a portable nine-hole course, at the fair for about ten years.

Three family members, Cathy, the mom, were at the fair Monday afternoon with her son, Kent, and daughter-in-law, Ashley of Canton.

The family has started their business to supplement its income as teachers.

Cathy has retired as a teacher but Kent and Ashley are current teachers at the GlenOak School District in Stark County.

In addition to Crawford County, the family takes part in the Marion County Fairs as well as the Hartford Independent Fair in Croton, Ohio.

Cost for the game is $1 for nine holes.

Cathy estimates that about 3,000 games are played there every fair week.

Kent’s interest in golf and business started as a high school student at Ridgedale High School in Marion County.

“I was active in 4-H and played putt-putt during the fair there,” he said. “(As we got older), we asked a lot of questions and eventually bought a portable mini-golf course and a trailer.”

It’s a business the family loves doing.

“I’m a people person,” Cathy said. “I like how he brings the family together (from a distance) for three weeks out of the summer. We build friendships at the fair.”

“I like to work with kids,” Kent said, adding that he’s seen children grow up through their repeated visits to the shop over the past ten years.”

The fair continues through Saturday.

Kent Hamilton and his wife Ashley, run the stand Monday afternoon at Hamilton’s Putt-Putt Golf at the Crawford County Fair in Bucyrus.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/07/web1_golf.jpgKent Hamilton and his wife Ashley, run the stand Monday afternoon at Hamilton’s Putt-Putt Golf at the Crawford County Fair in Bucyrus.

Jaron Vance, 5, of Bucyrus lines up a putt while his brother, Jaxon, 8, looks on Monday afternoon at the Crawford County Fair in Bucyrus.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/07/web1_golf2.jpgJaron Vance, 5, of Bucyrus lines up a putt while his brother, Jaxon, 8, looks on Monday afternoon at the Crawford County Fair in Bucyrus.

By Chris Pugh

[email protected]