COLUMBUS, OHIO (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for leading Ohio’s commemorations for America’s semiquincentennial in 2026, today announced that from July 23–Aug. 3, 2025, any fourth-grade student who visits the Ohio History Center will receive one-time free admission to the Ohio State Fair when they present the Fourth-Grade History Pass with a paid adult admission. This is the second year for the promotion.
“As we head into 2026, we’re proud to again offer students and their families the opportunity to deepen their connection to Ohio and each other through visits to the Ohio History Center and the Ohio State Fair,” said Todd Kleismit, executive director of America 250-Ohio. “Not only will they have an opportunity to explore exhibits such as Indigenous Wonders of Our World — The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, and try classic carnival rides, but they’ll also have fun while doing so!”
America 250-Ohio will host a booth at the Ohio State Fair in the Lausche Youth Exploration Space, presented by the Ohio Soybean Council, with the theme of “A Birthday Party for America.” Featured activities at the booth will include a fun photo op, games, crafts, and more. Students and their families are encouraged to stop by and record a special birthday message that will be used in communications from America 250-Ohio in the coming year.
To participate, a Fourth-Grade History Pass can be acquired from the America 250-Ohio website, where there is an option to select a printed or digital version for download. Regular admission fees apply for accompanying family members, and passes are not valid for field trips or group visits. To take advantage of the combined offer of the Ohio State Fair and Ohio History Center, fourth-grade students and their families must purchase their admission at the Ohio State Fair entrance, located outside the Ohio History Center at 800 E. 17th Ave. (the gate is marked by the facility’s three flag poles). During the Ohio State Fair, admission purchased at the Ohio History Center/Ohio State Fair gate is valid for both experiences. Visitors will receive an Ohio State Fair hand stamp that provides admission to both venues. Please note the Ohio History Center/Ohio State Fair gate is only open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Other restrictions may apply.
Pass restrictions: One pass per fourth-grade student per transaction for free general admission. Must be accompanied by a paid adult general admission. The pass must be presented at the time of purchase, either as a digital version on a smartphone or as a printed version. The program is for fourth-grade students for the 2024–2025 school year. The pass is valid through Aug. 31, 2025, but can only be used at the Ohio State Fair during the 2025 dates: July 23 through Aug. 3. Each school year, on Sept. 1, the pass for the fourth-grade students of that school year will be available and valid through the following August. The program will end Aug. 31, 2027.
Visual assets: Materials supporting the program and images from Fourth-Grade History Pass participating sites throughout the state can be found here.