COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Fair welcomed guests back for the first time since 2019.

What You Need To Know

  • Entry is $10, but veterans, first responders, and kids under 5 are free
  • Hand sanitizer stations, masks and grounds cleaning are implemented this year

  • Free parking is available

  • Various exhibits and entertainment are free with entry and there are 150 food vendors

The Ohio State Fair is back in full force since the start of the pandemic. Despite the sprinkled showers, visitors came in to experience food, fun and beloved traditions. 

In 2020, the fair went virtual and in 2021, the fair only hosted livestock and agricultural competitions.

While the 167th Ohio State Fair gives guests a return to normalcy, Alicia Shoults, the Assistant General Manager of the Ohio State Fair, said they are still taking various safety precautions.

“We have plenty of hand sanitizer and frequent cleaning on the grounds and of course we encourage people to spend as much time outside as possible, but we also have a lot of air-conditioned buildings and we have complimentary masks available at the entrances of all of those buildings,” said Shoults. 

Gov. Mike DeWine kicked off the opening ceremony with music from the fair band and choir, and guest appearances from some of Ohio's most beloved mascots. His family accompanied him and DeWine said he was excited to get the full experience once again.  

“We’re looking forward to kind of eating our way through the Ohio State Fair and seeing all the great things that we have here,” said DeWine.

There are 150 vendors this year that offer 20 different items served on a stick. This year the fair is giving their guests an opportunity to try various foods with Three Dollar Thursdays. Visitors can grab sample portions from multiple vendors for only $3.

“On a normal day you may not be able to try five or ten different fair foods, but because you’ve got smaller portions, you can try those on either one of the two Thursdays,” said Shoults. 

While many come for the food, the beloved butter sculptures are a must see for many fair goers. This year's display honors the Ohio State Fair’s rich agricultural heritage.

Sculptors spend over 500 hours in the 46 degree temperatures sculpting the butter. Although they are only on display for twelve days, Jenny Crabtree of the American Dairy Association tells me that the butter’s recycled life is much longer. 

“The butter is collected with other used cooking greases and is refined and recycled into a product that can be used as an ingredient in different non-edible products like soaps and greases and lubricants,” said Crabtree. 

Entry into the fair is $10, but veterans, first responders and kids under 5 all get in free. There is free parking this year and various entertainment stages and exhibits that are free with entry. 

The Ohio State Fair will be open every day until August 7th. You can check out the fair’s website for various promotion deals and to get a full idea of everything on display here.