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Ohio State Fair Tickets

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Rating: 4.1 out of 5 based on 152 reviews

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United States

About

About the Ohio State Fair

The Ohio State Fair isn't just an annual event celebrating delicious concessions, a livestock competition, creative arts and crafts and a butter cow. The fair — happening in Columbus, Ohio, at the Ohio Expo Center, located just south of downtown near MAPFRE Stadium — also boasts a series of concerts featuring well-received national acts. These gigs take place over the course of the fair in the WCOL Celeste Center, a 10,200-capacity arena and event center that received a multimillion-dollar facelift in recent years.

Ohio State Fair History

The first Ohio State Fair took place in 1850 at Camp Washington near downtown Cincinnati. Over the next few decades, the event traveled around to various Ohio cities (including Cleveland, Dayton and Sandusky) before settling into its current home at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus in 1886.

Over the years, the fair has been a hub for popular music acts. In 1928, for example, the John Philip Sousa Band performed twice a day. As rock 'n' roll, soul and country became mainstream in the 1960s, the fair's booking reflected this trend: acts such as the Bee Gees, James Brown, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker and Sly & The Family Stone performed. As the decades progressed, mainstream country, rock and pop acts became staples, as the Beach Boys, Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Rio, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang and Mel Tillis all made appearances.

In recent years, the Ohio State Fair has continued to book an eclectic concert lineup. Genres include alternative rock groups (Weezer, Devo), classic rock bands (REO Speedwagon, Styx, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple), country artists (Dolly Parton, Toby Keith, Jake Owen, Reba McEntire), pop acts (Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth), soul and R&B superstars (Patti LaBelle, Blackstreet, Keith Sweat), Christian artists (Lecrae, Matthew West) and comedians (Gabriel Iglesias, Jeff Dunham).

Reviews

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 based on 152 reviews
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  • Great time had by all!

    by PigShowimg on 8/5/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    Had a lot of fun and ate some great food! Midway was clean and organized, restrooms were kept up. Great variety of food!

  • Good

    by shelllbell on 8/1/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    Everything was great until the Ohio All Ohio Band came thru the Bricker Building playing! The noise was soooo loud, My 90 year old mother & I had to cover our ears! and we were 4 rows over from where they were! We left the building and waited for them to leave!

  • Greatest State Fair in the Midwest.

    by Billy G. on 7/29/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    Best State fair. Not the cheapest or the most homey, but everything is better. Good state police security presence. Great shows going in everywhere.

  • Great experience

    by Julie on 7/28/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    I was amazing, fun for kids and adults I have had an awesome experience there

  • Great experience

    by Vandi on 7/28/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    Enjoyed everything about the Fair. We will be back again next year! The price was affordable. Wristbands I think should be $25 for little kids but that’s just my opinion. The food vendors was nice such a big variety to choose from. The shuttles for parking was an excellent idea and we thank you guys for thinking of us.

  • ghetto

    by JC on 7/28/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 1 out of 5

    This fair has gone downhill. We saw many fights with unsupervised teens. The food wasn’t worth the costs either even the sweet tea was gross. Probably won’t come again.

  • Ohio State Fair 2024

    by JAR on 7/28/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    It was hot! Construction going on at the fair but it does not interfere with the fair. More places to sit down and eat. Some places have changed locations but the food is better than before. Prices are a little higher but portions are bigger. The rescue dog shows were wonderful! The strolling entertainment was fun. The live music was great. Shows of all types going on constantly. Check each days agenda and use your maps. Drink lots of water, duck into air conditioning when you can, and have fun!

  • Fair

    by Terry on 7/28/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    Ticket worked great at fair. Many shuttles to parking. Fun activities fir kids, and many food choices. It was very clean and many seats to take a break.

  • First timer

    by Desi on 7/27/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 4 out of 5

    Huge! Food trucks galore!! I don’t think we found the same food item twice, so many different choices and options! Lots of things to do and buy. There was even a sprinkler cooling canopy. Kiosks for loading money onto cards as most things took credit points. Ticket gate closed at nine, even though fair was open until 11.

  • Wonderful

    by Tinki on 7/27/24Ohio Expo Center & State Fair - ColumbusRating: 5 out of 5

    I enjoyed walking around and looking at the different things there. I enjoyed going into different buildings and seeing the displays they had. I enjoyed the samples that some places gave. The people were nice and friendly.