Ohio State Fair to Return in 2022

COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Fair is officially set to return in 2022. State Representative Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and the Ohio Expositions Commission announced Friday the state fair will return to full operations July 27- Aug. 7. 

“This announcement is the light at the end of the tunnel of what has been a challenging two years,” said Abrams. “I am very excited for our 4-H and FFA kids in the 29th district to showcase their hard work with their friends and family in the stands, rather than an empty arena. Fairs are a pivotal part of being an Ohioan and it gets no bigger than the Ohio State Fair.”

To commemorate the return, the Ohio State Fair has unveiled a new logo and will offer free general parking in the main lots north of the Cardinal Gate.

The state fair has not operated at full capacity for past two years. In 2020 state fair officials decided to cancel the festivities over COVID concerns and last year’s fair was limited to the agricultural and educational competitions due to financial concerns. 

“When we open our gates, people will be able to rediscover the Ohio State Fair,” said Virgil Stricker, Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager. “This summer, all of our fair favorites will return. You’ll be able to walk through the barn, see the iconic butter cow, try some deep-fried food on a stick, listen to music, browse arts exhibitions, watch performances by the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir, visit with Smokey Bear, learn about agriculture, and so much more.”

This year marks the 167th Ohio State Fair. 2019 saw 934,925 people attend during the event’s 12-day run. These attendees came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico.

The Ohio State Fair will announce the first of three concerts March 7 and will offer pre-sale opportunities to state fair e-newsletter subscribers. 

For more information on this year’s fair or to sign up for the e-newsletter you can visit here. 

This year’s fair will operate Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.