The 2023 Franklin County Fair is underway. Here's what to know if you go

Jennifer Smola Shaffer, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read
Mike Williams and Tom Wood watch the harness races Monday on the opening day of the Franklin County Fair at the fairgrounds in Hilliard.
Mike Williams and Tom Wood watch the harness races Monday on the opening day of the Franklin County Fair at the fairgrounds in Hilliard.

The 106th Franklin County Fair kicked off Monday, and runs through Sunday.

The fair, located at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, features rides, food, special events, and livestock and animal shows.

The fairgrounds are located at 4951 Northwest Parkway, with free parking available in lots across the street from Gates 3 and 4 and adjacent to Gate 5. There are also walk-in gates without parking at 4100 Columbia Street and off Hilliard Station Lane near the Hilliard police station.

What are the hours for the Franklin County Fair?

Fair hours for the rest of the event are:

  • Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Thursday: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Friday - Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Sunday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Rides open at noon each day except Wednesday, when they open at 11 a.m.

Ty Moeller, 5, holds up one of his sister Brianna Moeller's trophies as Brianna and Heather Moeller chat with Brianna and Ty's grandmother at the Franklin County Fair. Brianna won awards in Junior Showmanship, Master Showmanship and had the Grand Champion Breeding Ewe and Ram in the 4H competition.
Ty Moeller, 5, holds up one of his sister Brianna Moeller's trophies as Brianna and Heather Moeller chat with Brianna and Ty's grandmother at the Franklin County Fair. Brianna won awards in Junior Showmanship, Master Showmanship and had the Grand Champion Breeding Ewe and Ram in the 4H competition.

How to purchase tickets for the fair

Daily admission tickets can be purchased online on the fair's website or at the fair gates for $10. Children under 2 are free.

Weekly passes are also available.

More: Summer fun: Your guide to the big stars, festivals and other events coming to Columbus

What events are being offered at the fair?

Events include magic and hypnosis shows and musical performances by Sonic Skyways, Coalshine, and Phil Dirt and the Dozers.

Also on the fair schedule are chalk art demonstrations, 4-H events, laser tag, eating contests, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, euchre tournaments, line dancing, and a hot air balloon launch.

Anna Parker, 9, embraces Oliver, the market steer, as her sister 15-year-old Eva Parker, works on drying him Monday at the Franklin County Fair. The Parkers are third-generation competitors in the 4H contest at the Fair.
Anna Parker, 9, embraces Oliver, the market steer, as her sister 15-year-old Eva Parker, works on drying him Monday at the Franklin County Fair. The Parkers are third-generation competitors in the 4H contest at the Fair.

The fair is also offering Family Fun Day on Wednesday, with rides opening an hour earlier and a long list of special events for families and children.

A full schedule of events can be found on the Franklin County Fair's website.

jsmola@dispatch.com

@jennsmola

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 2023 Franklin County Fair hours, parking, ticket info and events