It’s finally that time of the summer! The Ohio State Fair will take place from July 25 until August 5. Get out to the Ohio Expo Center and Fairgrounds and eat a deep-fried Oreo or two!
The Ohio State Fair has been a tradition in this state since 1850. It has been held in 10 different cities across Ohio including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Sandusky, Zanesville, Dayton, Newark, Toledo, Springfield, and Mansfield. But the fair has been on the site of the Ohio Expo Center since 1886.
General admission into the Ohio State Fair is $10 for adults ages 13 to 59. $8 for seniors ages 60-years-old and above. Children ages 5 to 12 are also $8, but kids under 5-years-old get in for
free.
The hours of operation for the Ohio State Fair are:
Many of these hours will change on August 5, the final day of the fair. Click here for more information about the Ohio State Fair hours.
Parking
Parking is $5 per vehicle. You can find easy access to parking lots from I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit and the Hudson Street exit at Silver Drive. Catch a ride on one of the complimentary shuttles to and from the main entrance gate and the parking lots.
If you always struggle to find your parked car in a crowded parking lot, you can use the Ohio State Fair’s Parking Pin. Just drop a pin where you’ve parked your car and click “save my parking spot.” Then after a long and fun day at the fair, open the webpage again and click “Find My Car.” The fair and Google Maps will help take you right to it. Easy-peasy.
Things To Do
There is so much to do at the Ohio State Fair from chatting with Smokey the Bear to checking out the Butter Cow, and of course riding the rides until you’re so dizzy you need to take a minute to sit down. The fair also gets in some amazing musical acts and big-name artists. No matter what you’re into, you’ll find something that’ll keep you happy and entertained.
Rides
If you didn’t go on the Ferris Wheel at the Ohio State Fair, did you even go to the fair? Rides are open from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. To get on a ride, you’re going to need ride tickets at $1 per ticket. Kiddie rides require one ticket, super kiddie and spectacular rides require two tickets, and super spectacular rides require three tickets. If you know that you’re going to be riding rides all-day long, it’s probably best to get a ride-all-day wristband for $25.
Concerts
The Ohio State Fair brings in a ton of super talented musical artists to Columbus. It’s the perfect opportunity to see on of your favorite stars jam out at an awesome concert. Here’s where you can get tickets once you’ve looked at the amazing line up below.
The Beach Boys
Wed., July 25, 2018, 7 pm
$30
Reba McEntire
Thurs., July 26, 2018, 7 pm
$55, $65
TLC / En Vogue
Fri., July 27, 2018, 7 pm
$30, $25
The Commodores
Sat., July 28, 2018, 7 pm
$25
Trevor Noah
Sun., July 29, 2018, 7:30 pm
$35
All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir Concert
Sun., July 29, 2018, 1 pm
Free (no tickets required)
Casting Crowns
Mon., July 30, 2018, 7 pm
$25
The Rat Pack is Back
Tues., July 31, 2018, 12:30 pm
Free (no tickets required)
KIDZ BOP LIVE 2018
Tues., July 31, 2018, 6:30 pm
$15
Brothers Osborne
Wed., August 1, 2018, 7 pm
$25, $35
Jeff Dunham
Thurs., August 2, 2018, 7 pm
$40
Lee Brice
Friday, August 3, 2018, 7 pm
$25-$50
Styx / Cheap Trick
Sat., August 4, 2018, 7 pm
$35, $45
Attractions
Ag is Cool interactive education stations
What: Learn how agriculture impacts your day-to-day life. See what it’s like to be a farmer and take a turn milking a cow, see baby animals and their mommas, learn the difference between hay and straw.
When: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: various locations listed on map
Budweiser Clydesdales
What: The Budweiser Clydesdales have been representing Anheuser-Busch for over 85 years. Their introduction celebrated the end of prohibition for beer and they’ve been pleasing crowds ever since. Stop by and see them for yourself at the Ohio State Fair.
When: 9 a.m to 9 p.m.
Where: Cardinal Plaza
Camel Rides
What: Pay $5 to ride a camel and pretend you’re exploring a far-off land.
When: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Meijer Kiddieland
Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Exhibit
What: Train lovers and fairgoers alike will love this model railroad exhibit. Kiddos will especially like the Thomas the Train and Friends section.
When: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Cardinal Hall, Hall C
Jumbo Tic-Tac-Toe
What: Families can test their skills and see who’s the family tic-tac-toe champion with these giant Xs and Os.
When: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Central Park
The Marvelous Mutts
What: A team of rescue dogs and their owners/trainers will be performing awesome feats at this pup show. The “Canine Splashtacular” combines Frisbee, agility racing, and dock diving in this family-friendly show.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., shows at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Where:Kiddieland
Monster Mural, Central Park
What: Little ones can show off their inner Picasso with some washable paints at this massive mural.
When: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Central Park
Ohio Farm Bureau Land & Living Exhibit
What: Learn about life on the farm in ways that are fun for the whole family. Little kids can take a turn on the pedal tractors and do various farm chores via simulators.
When: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Nationwide Donahey Ag & Hort Building
The ODNR Natural Resources Park
What: Kids can fish, kayak, practice archery, walk through a butterfly garden, and more for free in the ODNR Natural Resource Park. Visit the outdoor amphitheater to watch the lumberjack show for free.
When: 9:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Natural Resources Park
OVMA Veterinary Education Center
What: Watch the miracle of birth as mommy animals welcome their little babies. Milk a cow from noon until 4 p.m.
When: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Where: Wick Pavilion
The Parade
What: The fair’s mascot Butters D. Cow will lead the parade full of local celebs, honorees, familiar characters, entertainers, and special guests. All-Ohio State Fair Band and the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir will provide the parade’s music.
When: 4:00 p.m.
Where: The parade by the Natural Resources Park, goes up the WNCI Food Highway, and ends just north of 17th Avenue.
Pig Races presented by 99.7 The Blitz
What: Three different types of prize piggies will race to the finish line around a track.
When: Monday – Friday: 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:30 pm
Where: Meijer Kiddieland
Petting Zoo
What: Visit with over 50 different types of animals like goats, llamas, zebras, antelope, camels, kangaroos and many more. It’s free!
When: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; open until 11 pm Friday and Saturday
Where: Meijer Kiddieland
Pony Rides
What: Just $4 will get you a ride on a cute-as-can-be pony.
When: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Meijer Kiddieland
Shopping
The Ohio State Fair has roughly 300 commercial exhibitors so even if you’re just planning to window shop, make sure to have a little cash. Something’s bound to catch your eye. The three places to enjoy retail therapy are the MarketPlace, Shoppes at North Commercial, and the Antiques and Collectibles Building. Shoppers can find everything from kitchenware to antique collectables and autographed merchandise.
The Food
The WNCI Food Highway is just under the SkyGlider. It’s the place you need to go when you’ve got a hankering for fair-food classics like deep-fried treats.
Visit the MarketPlace to cool off in the AC and sample a variety of items at the international food court, including authentic Mexican, Polish, Greek, Chinese, American, and Italian cuisine.
Tickets for the Ohio State Fair are onsale now. For more information, please visit OhioStateFair.com. Happy Fair-going people!
