COLUMBUS— The Ohio State Fair opens today, Wednesday, July 27, on Pepsi presents WSYX/WTTE Opening Day. To kick off the 12 days of excitement, Governor DeWine will join Fair officials at an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., just inside the Cardinal Gate (rain location: Kasich Hall A).

Here’s what fairgoers can look forward to on July 27:

2022 Ohio State Fair Concert Series powered by AEP Ohio’s Smart Grid: For only $20, guests have the opportunity to catch a concert by a family favorite: KIDZ BOP! At 6:30 p.m., this seven-kid cast will rock the WCOL Celeste Center. Families can sing along to kid-friendly versions of pop music’s greatest hits. Purchase tickets online at ohiostatefair.com.

Free Live Music: Today, fairgoers can enjoy performances by Jess Kellie Adams, The Jay Wiley Band, Bill Foley, and the All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir throughout the day for free. Ohio native and rising country star Jess Kellie Adams will perform her original hits at the AARP Gazebo Stage at Noon and 2 p.m. Bill Foley will strum some relaxing acoustic guitar tunes at the Natural Resources Park Amphitheater at 1:30 p.m. Hailing from Pittsburgh, The Jay Wiley Band will rock out on Main Street Stage at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Finally, be sure not to miss a Fair staple — the All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir — as they march to various spots around the grounds.

International Band Performing Today Only: German band The Jazz Police Olsberg will perform two shows on opening day at the Ohio State Fair with several local jazz greats sitting in. The shows will be on the south side of the Taft Coliseum, Central Park, starting at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. With different jazz styles including swing, funk, Latin, traditional marches, the group is making an appearance at the Ohio State Fair on their North American tour.

4-H: Throughout the day, judging of various 4-H projects and competitions will take place in the Lausche Youth Exploration Space on 4-H Health and Quilt Day. Students will compete with their health and safety skits, speeches, and more. An awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in the Youth Exploration Space will conclude tomorrow’s 4-H events.

Livestock: The first day of the Fair is packed with events for the local livestock lover. First, at 8 a.m., the Junior Beef Showmanship, Open Sheep Show, and Open Swine Show will occur simultaneously. 10 a.m. brings the Junior Simmental Beef Show in the Steve R. Rauch Cooper Arena. Then, choose between the Junior Hereford Beef Show (Steve R. Rauch Cooper Arena) and the Boer Goat Buckeye Classic Show (Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center) to fill your Noon time slot. At 1 p.m., head over to the Ag Pro Companies Taft Coliseum for the Dairy Cattle All Breeds Showmanship competition. See back-to-back junior beef shows starting at 1:30 p.m., or watch the Session 1 Swine Breeding Sale at 2 p.m. at the O’Neill Swine Barn. Wrap up the day with the Open Southdown Sheep Show at 6 p.m. at the Brown Sheep Building.

Tablescaping Live Judging: Creativity and effort go into creating a beautiful table setting, with plates, utensils, tablecloths, accessories, and more. See the Ohio State Fair’s live judging of tablescaping entries, from Noon to 2 p.m., in the Creative Arts exhibit, housed in Kasich Hall B.

The Fair offers countless additional attractions and entertainers tomorrow. For a complete schedule of events, visit ohiostatefair.com/events. We also encourage fairgoers to download the Ohio State Fair app, where a full list of events, Expo Center map, and food finder is available.

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 2022 Ohio State Fair will run July 27 – Aug. 7. For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.