COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will again have a presence at this year’s Ohio State Fair, where visitors can enjoy various attractions “from thrilling archery and air gun shooting ranges to a peaceful tallgrass prairie.”
“We always look forward to coming together as a department during the Ohio State Fair because it allows us to proudly exhibit the beauty of Ohio’s natural resources in a fun and exciting way,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said in a press release. “It’s a great time to share our passion of education and conservation, while celebrating our anniversary."
You can participate in these activities and more at the Natural Resources Park. If you’re struggling to find it, don’t worry, just look for Smokey Bear’s paw prints at the fair and follow them.
In addition to these activities, the ODNR will be celebrating its 75th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 25 at Governor’s Grove with their ODNR Birthday Bash.
The ODNR’s presence at the fair will include a stream table exhibit where visitors can learn more about macroinvertebrates; a coloring display focused on minerals; the wildlife boardwalk, aviary and butterfly house; a massive animatronic Smokey Bear; the Geological Walk Through Time exhibit; bluegill fishing pond; kayak pond and more.
That’s all in addition to the Natural Resources Park Amphitheater, which “will have regular entertainment scheduled, such as the Great Lakes Timber Show which is all about showing off lumberjack skills, and contests like the turkey call competition fairgoers can participate in.”
The Ohio State Fair officially starts on July 24 and runs through Aug. 4.