The Ohio State Fair is one of the most popular fairs in the United States, bringing in 10’s of millions of dollars into the state’s economy with hundreds of thousands attending each year.
The festivities usually take place between late July and early August at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds – 717 E. 17th Ave in Columbus.
The fair has been held here since 1886 and will take place between July 26 and Aug. 6 this year.
Every year, people from all over the country come to visit this event. The fair offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy.
There are carnival rides, food vendors, live music performances and much more. This event is a great opportunity for families to spend time together and create lasting memories.
Oh, and the best part? It’s just a few minutes from campus.
The Butter Cow
A popular attraction at the fair is…a cow made of butter.
No kidding.
Since 1903, butter-cow-sculpting has been featured in some capacity at the fair. Every year, a new butter cow is unveiled along with “a mystery sculpture that reflects the positive ideals and cultural trends in Ohio,” according to the fair’s website.
And when they say mystery statue, they really mean it. Just a few years back, the statue was of the astronauts who commanded the Apollo 11 Moon Landing mission.
Live Music
What do Johnny Cash, New Kids on the Block and “Weird Al” Yankovic have in common?
They’ve all performed at the Ohio State Fair.
The fair is a huge boon for music lovers and concert goers alike. Last year, huge names like Willie Nelson and Foreigner performed at the fair.
Comedians like Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias also performed, too.
Not all the concerts require paid entry, either. There’s a series of free shows in the WCOL Celeste Center, ranging from music to cattle shows.
Music not your scene? Try a fair ride!
In addition to music and a butter cow, tons of fun and exciting rides dot the fairgrounds. Here are some of the most exciting and unique from last year’s fair:
- SkyGlider: One of the world’s longest portable sky rides can be found here. The ride costs just $3 and will take you on a half-mile journey across the fairgrounds.
- Giant Slide: This slide takes 105 steps to climb and will take send you down 144-feet to the ground!
- Mountain Dew Midway: Sponsored by Talley Amusements, this section of the fairgrounds contains more than 50 rides, ranging from a Ferris wheel to free-fall drops.
Unique activities
There’s more than just rides, though. Here are some other fun activities to either participate in or watch that are scattered around the fair:
- Camel rides: Hop on a hump for a camel ride – costs just $10.
- Kayak pond: In the natural resources park, patrons can hop on a kayak and enjoy some peaceful scenery.
- Lumberjack show: Trust us on this one – it’s cool. “Catch lumberjacks in action as they entertain crowds with fast-paced log rolling, chainsaw carving and wood chopping,” the fair’s website says.
- Marvelous Mutts: Your dog may be able to sit on command, but it can’t snag frisbees out of the air like these mutts can. Watch these canines perform a wide variety of wild tricks that will certainly have your jaw on the floor.
Those are just a handful of the events, too. The fair is so vast and expansive that there is something for everyone! Other activities not listed include things like pig races, a petting zoo and meeting Smokey Bear!
Food, food, food
Fairs are known for food, and Ohio does not disappoint.
There are options for everyone – dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, peanut-free and even sugar-free choices are all available!
The list of vendors is massive – too big to list here. But here are some of the highlights, grabbed from the fair’s website:
- Cajun Waffle Dogs: “These Andouille sausages are dipped in waffle batter, deep-fried, and served hot.”
- Crack-N-Cheese: “This delicious mac and cheese bowl is topped with turkey BBQ, turkey cracklins, and sauce, and can be ordered in a bowl or a waffle cone.”
- The Ripper: “This savory dish is a deep-fried Nathan’s Coney Island Frank, served hot, and topped with a special relish.”
- Mac-and-Cheese on a stick: “Mac and cheese served hot and golden on a stick with tangy dipping sauce.
- Nutter-Butter Stuffed Funnel Cake: “Enjoy a classic Fair food with a new twist as this beloved peanut butter cookie meets indulgent funnel cake in a delicious new treat.”
So, if you’re looking for something to do this summer, whether you’re living close to campus or at home with the fam – swing by the fair. Enjoy music, food, events and so much more.