Beyond Ashland: A Day at the Ohio State Fair Offers Food, Fun and Buckeye Pride
COLUMBUS — As everyone knows, the Ohio State Fair is underway, and while it may be outside ACP News’ normal Ashland County coverage area, I decided to hit the road, travel to Columbus and experience the excitement for myself.
From the moment I arrived at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds, it was clear there would be no shortage of things to see, taste and experience. The fairgrounds were alive with families, livestock, carnival rides, entertainment and the unmistakable aroma of fair food drifting through the air.
With so much ground to cover, I decided the best place to begin was above it all, with a ride on the SkyGlider.
The relaxing trip through the sky provided a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling fairgrounds and a glimpse of the adventure waiting below. It was also a quick lesson in just how enormous the Ohio State Fair truly is. Everywhere I looked, something was happening.
One of this year’s biggest highlights is the newly renovated Dairy Building, home to the famous butter cow. The popular Ohio tradition first appeared at the State Fair in 1903 and continues to attract visitors eager to see the detailed sculpture while enjoying Ohio-produced ice cream, milkshakes and the celebrated grilled cheese sandwich.
Fairgoers can also step inside the brand-new Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide. The immersive attraction takes visitors on a journey from farm to fork through hands-on exhibits featuring drones, crop production and modern farming technology. Guests can even experience a simulated combine ride before sampling food served by Ohio farmers at the Taste of Ohio Cafe.
Another new addition is the Ohio Showcase Building, which celebrates the people, places, inventions and communities that make the Buckeye State unique. Visitors are surrounded by a breathtaking 360-degree film before exploring interactive exhibits, including a life-size replica of the Wright Flyer.
The building also features a food hall filled with Ohio favorites, including Schmidt’s, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks, The Cheesecake Girl, Daisy’s Fish Shack, Glass City Pizzeria and Sweet Carrot.
The fair’s agricultural roots remain front and center throughout the grounds.
The Brown Sheep Building hosts sheep exhibits and competitions, while the O’Neill Swine Building is home to the “Buckeye Big Boar” Ohio’s largest pig. Visitors can also find dairy cattle and draft horses inside the Gilligan Livestock Complex, beef cattle at the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center and rabbits, chickens, turkeys and ducks inside the Rabbit and Poultry Pavilion.
At the Barnyard, families can enjoy a free petting zoo and the always-entertaining pig races. Taft Coliseum features everything from dog agility and draft horse shows to mounted shooting and trick riding.
For outdoor adventure, Natural Resources Park offers eight acres of activities maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Children can fish for free, try kayaking and archery, visit the butterfly house and learn about Ohio wildlife. The park also includes a geological walkway, nature center, tallgrass prairie and daily entertainment, including the popular lumberjack show.
Young explorers have plenty waiting for them inside the Lausche Youth Exploration Space. This year’s theme focuses on space, aerospace and aviation, with activities from 4-H, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, OSU Physics and COSI. Tiny Town and other family-friendly play areas provide even more opportunities for children to learn while having fun.
Adults can appreciate the craftsmanship displayed inside the Cox Fine Arts Center, which houses one of Ohio’s largest state fair art exhibitions. Nearby, Kasich Hall showcases creative arts, youth art and the permanent Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame exhibit.
Those searching for treasures from the past can browse the historic Fair Flea Market, where vendors offer antiques, jewelry, records, toys and memorabilia.
The Machinery Social Hall has also been transformed into a gathering place offering Ohio craft beer, wine, mocktails and dirty sodas. Families can enjoy live music, giant Jenga, cornhole, ping pong and a free agricultural-themed miniature golf course.
Entertainment can be found around nearly every corner. The brand-new Cardinal Stage hosts free concerts, hypnosis shows and other performances. The Workit Health Gazebo Stage brings family-friendly music to the heart of the fair, while the air-conditioned WCOL Celeste Center welcomes nationally known performers as part of the Ohio State Fair Concert Series.
Of course, no visit to the Ohio State Fair would be complete without the food. From sausage and cheesesteaks to ice cream, grilled cheese, pork, beef, lamb and countless deep-fried creations, the possibilities seem endless.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus operates the air-conditioned 1886 Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The name carries a special connection: Schmidt’s was founded in 1886, the same year the Ohio State Fair established its permanent home at the fairgrounds.
The Ohio State Fair also offers several accessibility and family accommodations. Air-conditioned infant-care and nursing stations are available, and a Quiet Room inside the Ohio Showcase Building provides sensory items, comfortable seating and a peaceful place for visitors needing a break from the crowds and excitement.
General parking is $10 in the main lots north of the Cardinal Gate.
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On the final Sunday, Aug. 9, admission gates and most buildings and activities close at 6 p.m., with all fair activities concluding by 9 p.m.
After spending the day walking through buildings, visiting exhibits, watching animals, sampling food and experiencing the rides, I ended my visit the same way it began, aboard the SkyGlider.
As the ride carried me above the lights, crowds and excitement one final time, it offered the perfect ending to a memorable day.
The Ohio State Fair is far more than carnival rides and fair food. It is a celebration of agriculture, creativity, innovation, family traditions and the people who make Ohio special.
It may not be Ashland, but it is still unmistakably Ohio, and sometimes, the best stories are found by taking a drive beyond your usual boundaries.
