Concerts, livestock competitions, games, a fine arts exhibition, entertainment, food and more — plus 30+ different types of food on a stick ranging from Fair favorites like corn dogs, candied apples and cotton candy to more adventurous options like chocolate-dipped cheesecake, deep-fried manicotti and chicken and waffles!
Find out more about the 2023 Ohio State Fair Kids Day on July 27th by visiting their website!
Dates
July 26 – Aug. 6, 2023
Hours of Operation
● Admission Gates: Monday through Friday, 10a-9p. Saturday and Sunday, 9a-9p (Gates close at 6p on Sunday, August 6, many buildings have reduced hours on the sixth).
o Wednesday, July 26: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Thursday, July 27: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Friday, July 28: 11 a.m. – Midnight
o Saturday, July 29: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Sunday, July 30: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Monday, July 31: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Tuesday, Aug. 1: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Wednesday, Aug. 2: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.*
o Thursday, Aug. 3: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Friday, Aug. 4: 11 a.m. – Midnight
o Saturday, Aug. 5: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
o Sunday, Aug. 6: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Gate Admission Prices
● $12 – Adults 13-59
● $10 – Seniors 60+
● $10 – Children 6-12
● Free – Children 5 and under
Ride Prices
Rides are operational 11-11p
● $35 – Ride-All-Day Wristband (purchased on-site)
● $32 – Advance-Sale Ride-All-Day Wristband (available online only in advance through July 25)
● $1 credits – Fairgoers can buy individual ride credits, Talley’s Magic Money, for $1 each. All rides require 3 or more credits. All ride-all-day wristbands and ticket cards are RFID-enabled. At the Fair, wristbands and RFID cards can be purchased at Talley Amusements kiosks or the Talley Amusements Guest Information Services Booth with cash or credit card.
Free Parking
General parking is free in the main O’Reilly Auto Parts Parking Lot north of the Cardinal Gate. Accessible parking is available. Reserved parking is not available to the general public.
Parking Access
There is easy access to parking lots from I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit and the Hudson Street exit at Silver Drive. Accessible parking available. Ride the O’Reilly Auto Parts Parking Shuttles powered by SuperStart Batteries to and from the main entrance gate and your vehicle.
Reserved Parking
Reserved parking is incredibly limited and can only be purchased by exhibitors and vendors in advance. Reserved North Lot parking is $5 per day and parking within the gates of the Fair is $10 per day.
On-Grounds Shuttle
10a-10p: Our complimentary shuttle makes frequent stops approximately every 15 – 20 minutes at pre-determined locations
around the perimeter of the grounds as listed on the map from 10 a.m. 10p: Fairgoers looking for an accessible tram may have to wait through one or more pickup cycles before an accessible tram stops at your location.
Infant Care & Nursing Stations presented by Molina Healthcare
The Ohio State Fair offers two large, air-conditioned Infant Care & Nursing Stations presented by Molina Healthcare. One is located in Kiddieland and the other in the Taste of Ohio Café, at which parents can change their children’s diapers, and mothers who prefer to breastfeed their children in privacy can do so comfortably. Additional nursing stations are located in Kasich Hall and the Bricker MarketPlace Building.
Lost Children Booths
The Ohio State Highway Patrol staffs a booth at both of the main entrance gates (Cardinal and OHIO Gates) with “Lost Kid Tags.” The tags help identify the child if he or she gets separated from his or her parents. You can also call the Highway Patrol headquarters at (614) 466-6666 for more information.
Stroller, wagon, and locker rentals
Strollers, wagons, and lockers are available for rent at the Fair, as are wheelchairs and scooters.
● Single Stroller – $20/day
● Double Stroller – $25/day
● Wagon – $20/day
● Manual wheelchair – $25/day*
● Electric scooter – $70/day (8 a.m. – 11 p.m.)*
● Storage cubicles (lockers) – $5/day
*Reservations strongly encouraged.
Sensory-Friendly Morning
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 10a-1p
We’ve turned down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly in partnership with OCALI. Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair’s many educational and sensory activities, take a break in a quiet room, or use our sensory accessibility guide to find a Fair opportunity that suits you. Print social narratives, a first-then board, wait cards, and a permit that will allow you to park in a special area on the OCALI website at ocali.org.
Accessible Play Area and Sensory-Friendly Location
During peak hours, the Ohio State Fair can be noisy and can overwhelm the senses. One particular area, the 8-acre Natural Resources Park, is naturally soothing. With plenty of trees, benches, and even a waterfall, this serene area allows for some sensory refuge. It also features an accessible play area.
WOSU Kids Day
10a-4p in Central Park, join WOSU Public Media in Central Park south of the Gazebo for a chance to meet some of your favorite PBS KIDS® characters on July 27 only! The event, designed to keep the whole family entertained, will offer PBS KIDS® activity stations. Get your photo with your favorite PBS KIDS® characters including:
• Daniel Tiger (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)
• Katerina Kittycat (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)
• Alma (Alma’s Way)
• Elinor (Elinor Wonders Why)
• Ari (Elinor Wonders Why)
