COLUMBUS―It’s Veterans & Military Day and Buckeye Health Plan Day at the Fair!

The 2023 Ohio State Fair has only just begun! Stop by the grounds for Veterans & Military Day and Buckeye Health Plan Day for some fair food, great performances, thrilling rides and games, livestock shows, and so much more!

Here are some highlights for July 30:

Buckeye Health Plan Day at the Fair: Join Buckeye Health at the Cardinal Gate for fun giveaways and health information on Buckeye Day, Sunday, July 30. Visit between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to spin the wheel and win a free prize! Bring kids to our Fitness Challenge at the Main Street Stage from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fitness Challenge participants will have the chance to win one of six free bikes! Be sure to stop and join in on the fun!

Veterans & Military Day: Veterans and active military are honored on this day. In addition, active military and veterans are given free admission today (and any day of the Ohio State Fair) with appropriate identification.

Free Live Entertainment: Tomorrow features entertainment from live music to hilarious comedy shows. For some family-friendly laughs, check out Leapin Louie – Western Comedy Show. Journey fans should stop by the Main Street Stage and listen to New Frontiers and their amazing covers. Also, be sure to head to Entertainment Alley for The Farmer’s Daughter Show and catch her impressive acrobatics!

Animals: Calling all animal lovers! Head over to the Natural Resources Park Amphitheatr at 11 a.m. for Fun with Columbus Zoo Animals and Retriever Dogs in Action at 1 and 4 p.m. Throughout the Day in Taft Coliseum, see Renegades Equestrian Drill Team Performers, trick riding performances, and the Mid-Ohio Marauders, Wild West Horseback Riding shows. Visit Pig Races in Kiddieland at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Creative Arts: Check out some fantastic demonstrations occurring throughout the day! Head over to Kasich Hall – B for demonstrations by The Columbus Area Chapter Embroiderers Guild of America Demonstrations, Buckeye Leathercrafters of Central Ohio, and Bloomin’ Beads.

Livestock Competitions: There are plenty of livestock shows happening on Sunday at the Fair. At 10 a.m., see Gals and Gals Lead Line, followed by the Junior and Open Wool show at 2 p.m., and additional sheep shows at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. all in the Brown Sheep Building.

It’s Warm Out There: It’s important for fairgoers to stay hydrated and cool during their visit to the Ohio State Fair this week by bringing and drinking water and taking breaks in air-conditioned and shaded areas. There are several misting stations located throughout the Fair, as well as many shaded areas with comfort seating to provide fairgoers with cooler area to take a brake. There are several air conditioned buildings throughout the grounds with great events inside. Take a break from the heat and sunshine and stop inside one of the below buildings to cool down and enjoy different activities:

  • Ag Pro Companies Taft Coliseum
  • Bricker Building
  • Kasich Hall
  • Lausche Youth Exploration Space presented by Intel®
  • Taste of Ohio Café
  • Voinivich Livestock & Trade Center

Conditions for Admission Related to Outside food and beverage

Fairgoers may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on grounds.

For a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.ohiostatefair.com/events. We also encourage fairgoers to download the Ohio State Fair app, with a full list of events, map, food finder, and more.

Explore all the fun of the Ohio State Fair