Ohio State Fair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ohio State Fair |
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| Status | Active |
| Genre | State fair |
| Dates | Late July – early August |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1850–1916; 1919–1941; 1946–2019; 2021–present |
| Established | October 2, 1850 |
| Founder | Ohio Department of Agriculture |
| Attendance | 982,305 (2015) |
| Website | Ohio State Fair |
The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the United States. It takes place every year in Columbus, Ohio, usually from late July to early August. In 2015, nearly a million people visited the Fair, making it one of the most popular events in Ohio.
From its first three-day event in 1850 to the 12-day celebration it is today, the Ohio State Fair has always showcased Ohio's best. You can enjoy concerts, exciting sports, cool exhibits, horse shows, thrilling rides, and lots of delicious food. The Fair has been held at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds since 1886. Security at the Fair is handled by a team of guards and police officers to keep everyone safe.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Fair
The idea for the Ohio State Fair began in 1846 when the Ohio Legislature created the Ohio State Board of Agriculture. This Board wanted to create a big fair to show off Ohio's farming and products.
The first Ohio State Fair was planned for 1849, but it had to be canceled because of a serious illness called Asiatic cholera. The next year, in 1850, the Fair finally opened from October 2–4 in Cincinnati. The Fairgrounds were described as a nice area with grassy hills and shade trees. A tall fence surrounded the area.
Early on, railroads helped the Fair a lot. They offered special deals to transport exhibits for free and gave half-price tickets to exhibitors. This made it easier for people from all over Ohio to participate.
At the very first Fair, winners received medals instead of ribbons. The biggest cash prize was $50 for essays about improving soil. The public could only enter on the second and third days. Admission cost twenty cents. About 25,000 to 30,000 people attended the first Fair.
Because travel was difficult back then, the Fair moved to different cities each year to allow more people to visit.
| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 1850 | Cincinnati |
| 1851 | Columbus |
| 1852 | Cleveland |
| 1853 | Dayton |
| 1854 | Newark |
| 1855 | Columbus |
| 1856 | Cleveland |
| 1857 | Cincinnati |
| 1858 | Sandusky |
| 1859 | Zanesville |
| 1860-61 | Dayton |
| 1862-63 | Cleveland |
| 1864-65 | Columbus |
| 1866-67 | Dayton |
| 1868-69 | Toledo |
| 1870-71 | Springfield |
| 1872-73 | Mansfield |
| 1874-1885 | Columbus |
| 1886–present | Columbus (State Fairgrounds) |
From 1874 to 1885, the Fair was held at what is now Franklin Park in Columbus. Finally, in 1886, the Fair moved to its permanent home, the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds, where it is still held today.
Safety First: The 2017 Incident
On July 26, 2017, the opening day of the Fair, a ride called Fire Ball had a serious malfunction. One person, 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell, sadly died, and seven others were injured. The ride had been inspected earlier that day and was cleared to operate.
After the incident, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio State Highway Patrol immediately investigated. The Fair announced that no rides would operate the next day until they were all re-inspected by state authorities. The company that made the ride, KMG, found that the problem was caused by "excessive corrosion" inside a support beam of the ride. This tragic event led to increased safety checks for similar rides across the country.
Important Moments in Fair History
Over the years, the Ohio State Fair has seen many exciting changes and events:
- 1853 – Fun entertainment started to appear, like pony rides for kids and monkeys performing.
- 1860 – Fair prizes increased significantly, showing the Fair's growing importance.
- 1886 – The current Ohio State Fairgrounds were officially opened.
- 1894 – A college football tournament was held at the Fair, featuring several Ohio universities.
- 1896 – The Ohio State Fair became the first fair to have an electric lighting system. This allowed for exciting night-time racing! Horseless vehicles (early cars) also made their first appearance.
- 1903 – The first Butter Cow and Calf were displayed. These amazing sculptures are still a popular tradition today, with new designs each year.
- 1916 – A giant American flag, measuring 136 by 65 feet, was displayed at the entrance.
- 1919 – The Fair returned after World War I.
- 1922 – A large fire destroyed six buildings on the fairgrounds just before the Fair opened.
- 1925 – The Fair celebrated its 75th anniversary with a huge show involving over 2,000 participants and fireworks.
- 1925 – The All-Ohio Boys Band was first mentioned. Today, it's known as the All-Ohio State Fair Band and includes both boys and girls.
- 1929 – The Junior Fair was created, which is now the nation's largest, with over 17,000 young people participating. The Junior Fair Board, made up of outstanding youth from groups like 4-H and Future Farmers of America, was also formed.
- 1941 – For the first time, 150 women were hired as ticket takers.
- 1942–45 – The Ohio State Fair was canceled during World War II. The fairgrounds were used by the United States Army Air Corps to handle airplane parts.
- 1946 – The Fair resumed after World War II.
- 1957 – The first female livestock judge appeared at the Fair.
- 1963 – The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir was established.
- 1966 – A new "OHIO" entrance gate was built at the 11th Avenue entrance.
- 1968 – The first Sale of Champions livestock auction was held. Famous performers like The Bee Gees and James Brown entertained visitors.
- 1969 – The first part of the sky ride was built, offering great views of the Fair.
- 1976 – To celebrate the United States Bicentennial, a time capsule was buried near the 11th Avenue gate. It will be opened in 2026!
- 1981 – The Fair was extended to 17 days.
- 1983 – The TV show Wheel of Fortune taped several episodes at the fairgrounds.
- 1990 – The old Grandstand was replaced by the Celeste Center, a new venue for big concerts and events.
- 2000 – The Ohio State Fair celebrated its 150th anniversary.
- 2002 – The 11th Avenue "OHIO" gate was redesigned to look more modern.
- 2020 – The Ohio State Fair was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021 – The Fair returned, but with limited events, focusing on livestock and educational contests.
- 2022 – Live concerts and all the usual fair activities fully returned after a two-year break.
Images for kids
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"Weird Al" Yankovic performing in August 2007
