Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds — Attraction in Columbus

The Ohio State Fair is a summertime "must do" for our family. But it only happens for 12 days at the end of July/beginning of August, so you have to watch for ads or mark your calendar a year ahead.

This is a place that truly has SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

We always park in the north lot and ride the tractor drawn wagons to the north entrance. That starts the fun. It was fun for me when I was a child, and my kids loved it when they were small. It's a special way to start the day.

I like to use the restrooms to the left as soon as we enter the gates, since our drive is long (2 hours from Cincinnati). Then we head for the Sky Ride (like a ski lift ride but with more substantial cars). That takes us near the south entrance and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) display. There you need to see Smokey Bear, look at Ohio wildlife, birds, butterflies, go fishing, taste catfish or walleye, use a bow and arrow, watch the various shows especially the lumberjack show, visit the ODNR store, learn to paddle a kayak, etc., etc.

Chickens, ducks and rabbits are on display in one of the three barns just across from the ODNR. The other barns contain a flea market, and Ohio foods. Kiddie rides are not far from here, as well as the giant slide.

We begin walking our way back to the north entrance, stopping to see all of our favorite things along the way. There are "barns" along the far west side with pigs, cows, horses, sheep, goats, and a big arena for the large competitions. Smaller ones are held in the various barns. While visiting animals, look for the newly hatched chicks, recently birthed calves, piglets, puppies, and whatever else is in the special nursery tent. Stop to milk a cow. See the butter sculptures and get some Velvet ice cream. The lines outside look long but once inside the building they divide into several lines for ordering. There are three entrances to the building so check out all three sides. What I'm saying is don't let the lines stop you from experiencing Ohio dairy products. It's worth the wait. Plus, you never know who you'll be standing next to in line. We've had some great conversations with complete strangers.

To the east is the midway with all of the big rides. I've never been a ride person so I can't comment on this area.

Under the Sky Ride is a walkway lined with all sorts of food booths. This year we did corn dogs, funnel cake, steak on a stick, Schmidt's cream puffs and Dinky Donuts. You can satisfy any taste with the selection that's here.

I like to shop in the Bricker Building and pick up my up-to-date Ohio travel brochures. There are lots of demos and give-aways inside, too. Plus, the air conditioning feels good and it's a great place to be on a rainy day.

There's also a building with various competition displays. Kids and adults can enter projects, but check early in the year for entry deadlines and other rules and regulations.

There are outdoor displays, too. One year you could learn about semi trucks. Another had emergency vehicles. This year it was John Deere equipment.

Nightly there are outdoor concerts (for an additional charge). There are also shows throughout the day at various sites (see the daily schedules for a listing of these).

It's best to plan to arrive early and leave late to be able to see and do everything you want. Use the restroom again before leaving. We always leave feeling grungy and totally exhausted...but pleasantly so. When the kids were little, I would bring along jugs of water, toothbrushes, washcloths and towels, and a set of PJs for each one. We'd clean up at the back of the van and change clothes. They'd get into their car seats with their souvenirs in their arms, and be asleep before we got to the entrance ramp to the Interstate. It was an easy carry to their beds when we go home.

Oh the fun and the...

★★★★★ Space/Layout ★★★★★ Event Management ★★★★★ Ambiance ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ Safety ★★★☆☆ Location/Accessibility ★★★★☆ Overall experience Date visited: 11/11/2023 On a crisp and sunlit weekend, my friend KK and I embarked on a journey to the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, drawn by the allure of the TORG Retrogame Expo. Our pilgrimage was shared with another duo, my friend MW accompanied by her formidable friend, and fellow gaming enthusiast. The clock struck 9 am as we approached the epicenter of nostalgia, signaled by a burgeoning line of cars stretching into the distance. The anticipation hung thick in the air, but the efficient procession swiftly led us to a parking haven, where a mere $7 granted us access to the realm of pixelated wonders. Navigating towards the entrance was an effortless endeavor, guided not only by directional cues but also by the gathering throng congregating in excited anticipation. The eclectic assembly comprised a multitude of gaming enthusiasts, with only a sprinkling of cosplayers adding a dash of vivid color to the wintry scene. Amid the chilly morning, I couldn't help but admire the dedication of a chubby cosplayer embodying Juri Han from Street Fighter 6, valiantly braving the cold with a considerable amount of exposed skin. A smattering of other attendees donned less conspicuous Mario character costumes, injecting a whimsical charm into the frosty ambiance. The issuance of wristbands marked our passage into the warmth of the expo center, unveiling before us a tapestry of vendors and stores adorned with the treasures of gaming's yesteryears. However, the privilege of early exploration belonged solely to the elite holders of VIP tickets, leaving the rest of us in eager anticipation. As we bided our time amidst the crowd, I couldn't help but notice the impatience etched on the faces of some cosplayers, deciding against intruding on their wait for a coveted souvenir photograph. The gates were finally unbarred, and the surge of eager attendees flooded the expo grounds with the fervor of a midsummer tornado. The expansive interior unfolded before us, organized to accommodate the myriad offerings of the retro gaming universe. I meandered through the labyrinth of vendors, pausing intermittently to inspect their wares. Retro game paraphernalia, ancient consoles, vintage comics, plushies immortalizing beloved characters, and an assortment of mystical charms beckoned from every corner. A particular vendor caught my fancy, featuring anime accessories and pillowcases adorned with the visages of fictional characters. Meanwhile, KK found solace in the embrace of a comic vendor, immersing himself in the pages of superhero antiquities. His eyes lingered on a $1000 original Spiderman comic, a treasure that he eventually traded for a more modest $40 alternative. Personally, I abstained from purchases, cognizant that the allure of these relics could be sated through online avenues. Our paths converged with MW and her imposing companion, M, at the food court. The duo exuded an air of characters from a crime noir, a mistress flanked by her vigilant bodyguard, despite the absence of overt costuming. Life stories were exchanged before we ventured forth for additional exploration. Before bidding adieu, we indulged in the delights of antique arcade machines, repositories of retro video game magic, all graciously free to play. The pull of these pixelated wonders was undeniable, but alas, other commitments beckoned, drawing our outing to a close. In retrospection, the TORG Retrogame Expo proved to be a well-orchestrated spectacle, providing an enjoyable sojourn into the realms of gaming nostalgia. The ticket price was justified, the venue impeccable, yet a yearning lingered for more immersive shows to captivate the diverse audience that congregated beneath its...

I came over from Indiana to see a comedy show at the fair, and since I had never been to the Ohio State Fair before I decided to make a day trip out of it since fair admission was included with the ticket. Honestly though my experience wasn't that great. Parking, while free unlike Indiana's State Fair, was a complete mess and disorganized. Took us over 20 minutes to find a spot, and then proceeded to be yelled at by highway patrol guard on a power trip for pulling into a spot too fast after I finally found one. I will never complain having to pay $10 at Indiana State Fair to park again. Way more organized and you're generally out and walking to the gate within 3 minutes after paying. And they have nice staff to boot that don't yell at you for no reason. The fair itself was also way smaller than I was expecting. I guess I thought since we're neighbors we'd have fairly similar State fairs in terms of size and offerings, but this was wrong. Indiana's is way bigger with a lot more to do. Oh well at least I didn't pay extra to get in. The only positive I'd give is the food vendors have better prices compared to the Indiana State Fair. Even the venue at the fair where we saw the show wasn't the best. They had us packed in like sardines. I also got a more "premium" seat on the lower level that cost more and they just put a bunch of uncomfortable fold out chairs on the floor. Honestly the less expensive bleachers probably would've been a better option. And then of course when leaving we got yelled at once again by a parking attendant for... honestly I have no idea why. All I know is we started crossing the street (which was clear by the way) and then he started yelling at us. This time I actually cussed him out (I was done being patient by this point) and he just stormed off. So... yeah... I don't think I will be returning even if there is a performer here I want to see. Indiana State Fair is a much better experience and is a prime example of how a state fair should be run (which considering we're in the Top 10 State Fairs in the country, Ohio really should be...