COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Fair will be back this year in full capacity for 12 days, July 27-Aug. 7. Fairgoers can enjoy many of the traditions they have known and loved in the past, and there are new attractions, including the Dog House and the Little Farmers program.

“You’ll still be able to see the butter cow and calf,” said Alicia Shoults, CFE, assistant general manager of the fair. “The Natural Resources Park will be there, you can go down the giant slide, we’ll still have our veterinary education center where you can milk a real cow and see baby animals, and of course the fine arts exhibition, creative arts displays, cooking and crafting, and the livestock shows.”

The Grand Drives, introduced in 2021, will be back during the livestock shows. Rather than having the final drives, where the top winners from different areas come back, and the grand and reserve champions are selected, all the youths with the top animals of all species will bring their animals to the Taft Coliseum at the same time and with great fanfare, for the selection process. There will be a breeding Grand Drive and a market Grand Drive.

“It is a way to honor the youths even more and let them be in the spotlight as one big Grand Drive; it is a chance to showcase Ohio youth,” Shoults said.

The Little Farmers program is new. This free, educational attraction, aimed at ages 3-10, allows kids to learn about agriculture with hands-on activities, including simulated animals and gardening, and will end with a stop at an Ohio Proud market to get a prize or shop from Ohio Proud vendors.

The Marvelous Mutts are rescue dogs who are now trained as performing dogs, Shoults said. They will be performing daily in the Dog House. They do agility, dock diving and Frisbee tricks. Also in the Dog House, canine trainers will do demonstrations each day, giving information and tips that dog owners can take home and teach their dogs.

“We always have different attractions,” Shoults said. “This year, we have Lady Houdini, an escape artist who will be doing shows every day; she’s wonderful. We’ll have plenty of vendors; they’re starting to come up with their new and fun foods.”

The ultimate pop concert for kids, KIDZ BOP LIVE 2022, will be on the opening day of the fair. The concert series features Toby Keith, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Ice Cube, and many more.

Also, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) will launch its new program to reduce waste and educate fairgoers on sustainability. In the Zero Waste Space, fairgoers will be encouraged to limit their waste and learn what can be composted and recycled. ODA is partnering with the livestock commodities in the Taste of Ohio Building to use compostable products in their food service. This program will take place only on the last three days of the fair.

The state fair will follow any state and local COVID protocols that are in place, although there are currently none, Shoults said.

“Fairgoers are encouraged to enjoy all the outdoor activities and can certainly choose to wear a mask but that is not a requirement,” she said. “Also, we’ll make sure there is plenty of hand sanitizer, and we’re cleaning frequently. We’re looking forward to a full capacity fair, much like we’ve seen in years past.”

For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com.