The Tracey family hasn’t missed a fair in 61 years. That’s because the whole family makes it a tradition and their annual family reunion.
Dave Tracey, joined his dad Don, then brought in his kids and the grandkids.
“ I have 6 older siblings and 15 cousins [and] we all come down and help out,” 19-year-old Daniel Tracey explains.
Every single sibling and cousin meet in Columbus to work. But for them, it's more of a family gathering complete with five campers at a nearby campground. The family travels to Columbus from across the state and the country.
“The work is pretty stressful, it's a lot of hot hours, long hours," Daniel explains. "Basically it's a family reunion. I come back and see my cousins every year.”
The only other stand that has been coming to the Ohio State Fair longer than Tracey's is Schmidt's, which is right next door. Schmidt’s has more than 100 years under their belt.
“Our two main things, people can't get; the Coney sauce and our root beer anywhere and that's why they keep coming back,” Dave says.
For the young Tracey family members, Dave says it has been a great learning experience. He plans to keep passing down the tradition to the half dozen great-grandchildren who’ll take over the stand.
The Tracey's sell up to one thousand Coney dogs every day, all made daily with the special family sauce recipe.