Ohio State Fair Celebrates A Record-Breaking Year

The following is being shared on behalf of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair:

The Ohio State Fair ended on Sunday, August 9 following a successful run, welcoming guests from Ohio and beyond to a revitalized fairgrounds featuring fair traditions and new buildings, attractions, activities, and experiences.

"The Ohio State Fair brings families and friends together to celebrate the best of what Ohio has to offer," said Governor Mike DeWine. "This year, fairgoers got to experience the revitalized fairgrounds firsthand, with the grand opening of the updated Dairy Products Building, the new Ohio-themed carousel, and the brand-new Ohio Showcase Building and Ohio Agriculture Center. Seeing so many Ohioans come out to enjoy these new spaces made this one of the most memorable fairs yet."

The Ohio State Fair continues to celebrate Ohio with favorite traditions like the butter cow, livestock shows, Natural Resources Park, and the All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir, along with new exhibits and attractions, big-name entertainment, free live music, daily family-friendly performances, and educational activities.

This year, the Fair broke three records, including all-time high spending both on the Midway (rides and games) and concessions (food and beverage), and attendance, which was 1,025,190. Midway revenue was more than $3.3 million, up 8.4% over 2025, and concession revenue was $9.2 million, a 12.6% increase over 2025. Attendance was 5.8% higher than attendance in 2025, and 2% higher than the previous Fair attendance record set in 2023 of 1,006,228.

"The 2026 Ohio State Fair was a tremendous success, welcoming record numbers of Ohioans to celebrate all things Ohio," said Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds Executive Director Adam Heffron. "None of this is possible without the year-round work of exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, youth organizations, state agencies, law enforcement, sponsors, and, of course, the staff here at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. A successful Fair would not be possible without all of those groups, as well as our fairgoers from across the state, the country, and beyond, who came out in record numbers to make this year one to remember."

2026 Ohio State Fair Metrics

• More than $3.3 million in total Midway (ride and game) revenue, a new all-time record of total Midway revenue set during the 2026 Ohio State Fair, and an 8.4% increase over 2025.
• More than $9.2 million in total vendor concession gross sales across the fairgrounds, a new all-time record of total concession revenue set during the 2026 Ohio State Fair, and a 12.6% increase over 2025.
• $396,500 in sales at the Sale of Champions from generous buyers, $267,500 of which goes to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program to be distributed among thousands of Ohio State Fair youth exhibitors.
• Nearly 100,000 visitors to the new imAGine Ag exhibit in the Ohio Agriculture Center presented by Nationwide®
• Approximately 80,000 rides on the SkyGlider
• Approximately 26,000 rides on the new Ohio Children's Carousel
• $49,500 awarded in scholarships to Ohio youth
• More than 40,000 fairgoers visited the Lausche Youth Exploration Space presented by the Ohio Soybean Council
• 39,120 concert tickets distributed to paid shows in the WCOL Celeste Center (note: there was one concert cancellation, one concert artist change, and one free show)
• 22,062 livestock and equine exhibitions entries
• 12,157 fairgoers visited the nature center located in Natural Resources Park
• More than 11,000 visitors utilized the free off-site park-and-ride program.
• Approximately 6,500 youth anglers participated in youth fishing in Natural Resources Park.
• 3,525 kayakers took a spin in the Natural Resources Park Kayaking Pond.
• 2,050 entries in the Creative Arts competitions
• 200 pieces of art accepted from 142 artists in the Youth Arts exhibition, including 48 elementary students, 42 middle school students, and 52 high school students
• 189 free shows or events with ASL interpretation, as well as ASL interpretation at all paid shows in the WCOL Celeste Center. ASL interpretation at free shows and events is provided in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
• 357 professional and amateur works of art in the Fine Arts Exhibition.
• Free Ohio State Fair admission offered to all libraries across the State of Ohio for any youth who participate the State Library of Ohio Summer Reading Program.
• Exhibitors or participants from all 88 counties.
• Tickets purchased by visitors from all 50 states and 23 countries outside of the U.S. according to Ticketmaster sales data.

Food Facts:

• 93,677 lemonades of all varieties purchased
• 62,116 orders of fries of all varieties purchased
• 46,631 foods on a stick purchased
• 36,622 orders of ice cream sold by the American Dairy Association Mideast
• 29,834 corn dogs purchased
• 36,747 deviled eggs purchased
• 18,940 funnel cakes of all varieties purchased
• 13,788 orders of bourbon chicken purchased
• 9,273 turkey legs purchased
• 9,949 cream puffs purchased
• 8,281 orders of mini donuts

Food numbers reflect data collected from concessions contracted through the Ohio State Fair. It does not include food concessions owned by or contracted through Talley Amusements.

Next year, the Ohio State Fair will run July 28 through Aug. 8, 2027.

The Ohio Expo Center is proud to host the Ohio State Fair. With big-name entertainment, educational activities, hundreds of exhibits and one of the largest junior livestock shows in the nation, the 2026 Ohio State Fair will run July 29 - Aug. 9. For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.