On Friday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler announced that the 2022 Ohio State Fair will run from July 27th to August 7th.

This year’s 167th Ohio State Fair is possible “thanks to the hard work of thousands of staff members, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth leaders, and sponsors,” according to a press release by DeWine’s office.

At this time, the Ohio State Fair staff are “actively working on enhancements that will make this year’s Ohio State Fair safe, fun, and memorable,” the press release notes.

“The Ohio State Fair brings people together. It’s a place where we can all celebrate our great state and make memories that will last a lifetime,” Governor DeWine said in a statement. “Fran and I absolutely love fairs, none more than the Ohio State Fair. We have experienced so many remarkable moments with our children and grandchildren at fairs over the years, and this summer, we can’t wait to enjoy the Ohio State Fair once again.”

During the 2019 Ohio State Fair, 934,925 people attended during the event’s 12-day run. Those who attended came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all 50 states,  and the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico, the press release notes.

“When we open our gates, people will be able to rediscover the Ohio State Fair,” Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler said in a statement. “This summer, all of our fair favorites will return. You’ll be able to walk through the barn, see the iconic butter cow, try some deep-fried food on a stick, listen to music, browse arts exhibitions, watch performances by the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir, visit with Smokey Bear, learn about agriculture, and so much more.”

The first big-name acts in this year’s Ohio State Fair Concert & Event Series will be announced by the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair on Monday, March 7th, with additional announcements to follow on March 21st and April 4th, according to the press release.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Ohio State Fair” by George C. Campbell. CC BY 2.5.