Ohio State Fair 2022: What to know before you go — and recommendations on what not to miss

The 156th Ohio State Fair happened in 2019, and Ohio Expo Center Public Relations Director Alicia Shoults calls this year’s the 157th.

Although the fair technically happened last year, it was open only for livestock competitions. For the first time since 2019, the Ohio Expo Center will open its doors for a full-capacity state fair.

That time off gave the Expo Center a chance to see how it could adjust things in the future. One of those ways was looking at facilities, including moving sports events to the new Kasich Hall.

"Being able to reimagine some elements of the fair allows us to change things up while also bringing back the tried-and-true festival favorites," Shoults said.

Ohio State Fair 2022 summer concert schedule: What to know if you go

Check out the lineup: Free concerts at the Ohio State Fair

With a loaded schedule, the fair will open July 27 and end Aug. 7. There are concerts from artists like Ice Cube, Willie Nelson and more. For a full look at the concert series schedule read our story here.

Outside of music, all of the favorites are back at the fair like the butter sculpture, 150 food locations with multiple vendors offering new dishes and the livestock competitions. And for the first time ever, parking is free.

There’s a lot to know and see The Dispatch has you covered with everything below. If you need more information, though, you can download the Ohio State Fair app on Android or Apple phones by searching “Ohio Expo Center & State Fair” in the app store.

Here’s a look at what to expect at the fair this year and the must-see attractions.

Ohio State Fair parking and transportation

Parking is free to fairgoers in the main lots north of the Cardinal Gate. Before this year, the cost of parking at the Ohio Expo Center was $5.

There is no reserved parking available for purchase by the general public.

The COTA line 8 and line 22 bus stops are available on 11th Avenue just west of Ohio Gate 8 South Entrance. For more information on the COTA bus routes, visit www.cota.com.  

Livestock competitions at the fair

It wouldn’t be the Ohio state fair without livestock competitions.

Last year’s live stock schedule looked a bit different than previous years, allowing people to bring in breeding animals one week and then the market animals the following week. That will be the case again this year. It will allow the fair to host its final drive shows under one roof each Saturday instead of in specific barns.

The breeding animals will be on the first Saturday of the fair and the market animals will be on the second Saturday. Shoults said this change will allow fairgoers to go see youth around the state show off their livestock in one area, instead of picking and choosing which barns to visit.

The full schedule of livestock competitions can be found at www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock  

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Security for the event

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Nathan E. Dennis said while he won’t disclose specific security efforts for the event, there will be “a large presence of law enforcement throughout the duration of the state fair to ensure the event is safe for all who attend.”

30 new dishes join Ohio State Fair festival food

Food is one of the most popular parts of any fair and this year, the Ohio State Fair has multiple additions to show off.

There are 30 new dishes for fairgoers to try this summer including a number of deep-fried options: Oreos, cookie dough, piggies in a blanket, Twinkies and more.

Other notable additions to the fair food menu include: mac and cheese on a stick, meatball sliders, nutter butter stuffed funnel cake, Cajun waffle dogs and much more.

Also, the state fair app will show what food is available and where to find it at the Expo Center.

There’s also the addition of $3 Thursday, which will have all 150 food vendors selling a special item or a smaller-sized item for $3 on Thursday.

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Special days at the fair

Most days have a special promotion.

On Thursday, July 28, the fair will have Telhio and Ronald McDonald House Charities Day, which will grant a free admission ticket before 6 p.m. if fairgoers bring goods off the fair wish list. That wish list can be found at www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/special-days  

Kids Day is also on Thursday, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Central Park.  Children will be able to meet different PBS Kids characters like Daniel Tiger, Karerina Kittycat and more.

Saturday, July 30, is Molina Healthcare Day.

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Sunday, July 31, is Buckeye Health Plan Day. At the Cardinal Gate, there will be giveaways, screenings and more information on Buckeye Day. Visit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to win a prize. That is also Veterans and Military Day, with all active military and veterans given free admission.

Monday, Aug. 1, is Family Discount Day. Until 6 p.m., all adults will be admitted for the kids' price of $8 and kids under 12 will get in free.

Tuesday, Aug. 2, is Senior Day, when fairgoers 60 and up get free admission all day.

For a full list of the special days, visit: www.ohiostatefair.com  

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What are DeWine's Ohio State Fair faves?

There’s a lot of state fair attractions to see when you arrive at the Expo Center, so we reached out to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for his favorite can’t-miss things each year.

See his answers below, as well as a few others we picked off the schedule.

The Bahama Mamas and Cream Puffs from the Schmidt’s stand are DeWine’s foods of choice.

He enjoys watching his grandkids kayak in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources area, as well as attending the concert series. He and his wife, Fran, attend one country music concert each year.

Lastly, DeWine enjoys watching his wife's yearly cooking demonstrations.

Also on our list of attractions to see are the butter sculptures, the midway game and ride area, as well as the kiddy land area for those who aren’t big enough to ride the other rides.

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teague

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Fair 2022: Tickets, parking, schedule, livestock, food