08/13/2026
Congratulations to the Ohio State Fair for a record breaking year!
OHIO STATE FAIR CELEBRATES A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
Metrics show a glance at the State Fair by the numbers, including multiple records broken
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Fair ended on Sunday, August 9 following a successful run, welcoming guests from Ohio and beyond to a revitalized fairgrounds featuring fair traditions and new buildings, attractions, activities, and experiences.
“The Ohio State Fair brings families and friends together to celebrate the best of what Ohio has to offer,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This year, fairgoers got to experience the revitalized fairgrounds firsthand, with the grand opening of the updated Dairy Products Building, the new Ohio-themed carousel, and the brand-new Ohio Showcase Building and Ohio Agriculture Center. Seeing so many Ohioans come out to enjoy these new spaces made this one of the most memorable fairs yet."
The Ohio State Fair continues to celebrate Ohio with favorite traditions like the butter cow, livestock shows, Natural Resources Park, and the All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir, along with new exhibits and attractions, big-name entertainment, free live music, daily family-friendly performances, and educational activities.
This year, the Fair broke three records, including all-time high spending both on the Midway (rides and games) and concessions (food and beverage), and attendance, which was 1,025,190. Midway revenue was more than $3.3 million, up 8.4% over 2025, and concession revenue was $9.2 million, a 12.6% increase over 2025. Attendance was 5.8% higher than attendance in 2025, and 2% higher than the previous Fair attendance record set in 2023 of 1,006,228.
"The 2026 Ohio State Fair was a tremendous success, welcoming record numbers of Ohioans to celebrate all things Ohio," said Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds Executive Director Adam Heffron. "None of this is possible without the year-round work of exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, youth organizations, state agencies, law enforcement, sponsors, and, of course, the staff here at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. A successful Fair would not be possible without all of those groups, as well as our fairgoers from across the state, the country, and beyond, who came out in record numbers to make this year one to remember."
Ohio State Fair
