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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).
The Ohio State fair is wonderful. There’s lots of fun delicious fair food. Tons of rides, including our favorite- the SkyGlider! I even got to milk a cow. There were lots of great exhibits, animals, entertainment, and music. Make it part of your yearly tradition!
The fair could have been way better and the company that was over the fair for the rides were not good at all. The ones from last year were way better. The prices could have been more family friendly packages for the wristbands and entry.
Our large family had a good time but food and drink prices were very high. Spent $200 US dollars on lunch for family.
Everything was so expensive. Each meal is $20+, rides are expensive. Bring at least $200-300 if you want to have fun
We had fun at the fair the food the arts it was hot
This was our 1st time to the Ohio State Fair. We are from NJ. We are trying to go to every State Fair, So far we have been to NJ, PA, NY, ME,VT,NH,CT,RI and now OHIO. There was great variety of food, entertainment, and vendors. We especially loved the Lemon Buckeye Creme Puff. Yummy. We spent 2 days at the fair to make sure we saw everything. We just loved it. We would definitely return to this fair. It was an 8 hour car ride but worth the trip! We also visited the area and are looking forward to returning again in the future
This year's fair seemed very lack luster. First off...NO PARADE..I mean..what the heck..no Clydesdales...no train....no 2nd merchant's area by the ODNR....not a great concert line up...no one I had to see...other than pigs and lumbjack show not really much to watch. If it's the same next year we probably won't go.
While I was there I realized the fair is for rich people, people with kids, people who are kids, or people who are kids at heart. Unfortunately I am none of those. If you aren’t either, then save your money and go to the zoo. At least there drink refills are free
I used to manage security for concerts and venues like this a couple of decades ago. I’ve heard thousands of sound checks and met lots of great and interesting people. The good: Def Leppard was fantastic. They sounded great and interacted well with the fans. Meteorites of years past flooded back. The bad: Motley Crue sounded horrible. Their sound techs dropped the ball. Early on, the bass reverb was mind numbingly bad. The singing didn’t harmonize where it should have. It was almost as if they over powered the sound to drown out or mute the singing. Nonetheless, not a good second half concert experience. I noticed many people leaving well before the last several songs were over. Def Leppard should have definitely been the final, headlining act of the night.
The fair was great, plenty of food and some unusual offerings as well. Lots to drink and tons of rides for the kids. As it got darker and became more crowded, noticed the extra police and security, it made us feel safe with our kiddos. Appreciate it.
Really missed the tye dye guy thar used to set up in the outside pavilion.
The 2023 Ohio State Fair was great! Just wish it was longer.
It seemed to me the fair was slanting more towards a large county fair. Agriculture taking over yet another building. However I felt this was the safest fair in a long time.
nothing special enjoyed going to the fair. have not been for a few years..
My family has been a faithful fair goer for a long time...however we missed last year due to vacation so I'm unsure if some of these changes occurred last year. However, the price has greatly increased for the wrist bands (free parking, but that is made up for in the wrist band). There are a lot of rides and food vendors missing. I was very disappointed that Steak on a Stick was not there. We normally go several times a year because there is so much to do, but this year we only went once.
Had a great time at the Ohio State Fair last weekend. A huge Fair with lots to do. So much great food, rides, and entertainment. And by ordering pre-sale tickets it was less expensive than most county fairs. You can't beat the combination of fun at an affordable price! Will DEFINITELY go again!
This is not the Fair you remember....it's Dave and Busters with a petting zoo but much more expensive. Just go to Cedar Point. Same amount of money spent but once you're inside, the only thing you'll pay for is food. I doubt we will be going back.
Had a good time, but the exhibition halls were kind of hidden behind the concessions and aren’t clearly marked. Even with a map it was difficult to find out what was going on in the buildings
It was amazing was the first time being back there since 2016 for me and my oldest son for my youngest son it was his very first time going and he absolutely loved it he got on everything kiddie ride and fun houses, my oldest son got on all the big kids rides. We were there from 1pm until closing at 11pm and the day was beautiful not super hot outside perfect weather for a perfect fair day.
Great way to spend time as a family! Parking was free & we were all able to get discount admission through Ticketmaster! Amazing classic fair food combined with once in a lifetime food options if desired. Can't wait till next year, Ohio!
