What's new at the 2025 Ohio State Fair
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A performer at the 2024 Ohio State Fair. Photos: Courtesy of the Ohio State Fair
It's almost time for the Ohio State Fair — where you can pet a kangaroo, watch T-Pain perform and eat deep-fried candy bars all in one day.
Why it matters: While revered for its unusual food and entertainment, the fair is much more than that.
- It draws about a million visitors to Columbus from all 88 counties to celebrate our agricultural roots and unite over summertime traditions.
Driving the news: The gates are open next Wednesday morning through Aug. 3.
What's new: You'll find those kangaroos and other animals at The Barnyard, a new shaded area featuring the popular petting zoo and pig race attractions.
- Other debuts include chainsaw carving demonstrations and a free circus, plus axe throwing ($10) and a 200-foot-high slingshot ride ($40).
- Plus: Two gift shops, eight water bottle filling stations and a north-side entry gate.
🎵 Who's performing: From Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Foreigner to a free Taylor Swift tribute, check out our ranking of this year's lineup. Tickets.
Best bites: Several new foods are inspired by 2025's viral flavors, including Dubai chocolate funnel cakes, white cheddar dill pickle cheese curds and a "smashdilla," described as "where a quesadilla and a smash burger fall in love."
- Schmidt's yearly cream puff is caramel apple, and the Ohio Poultry Association's new eye-catching deviled egg is chocolate chip cookie dough.
- Concession stands offer special $3 items on Thursdays, July 24 and 31.
🤨 Yes, but: We're utterly perplexed by the new buckeye lemonade, "infused with creamy peanut butter and chocolate."
What's next: It wouldn't be the State Fair without a Butter Cow. It'll be unveiled Tuesday.
Gate hours: 10am–9pm Monday–Friday and 9am–9pm Saturday–Sunday, except the last Sunday, when gates close at 6pm. Map. Daily schedule.
- $12 adults, $10 kids and seniors at the gate. Kids under 6 free! $10 parking.
🎟️ Ticket pro tips: Buy online before opening day and pay just $8.
- Discount days are July 28 (adults $10, kids free), July 29 (seniors free) and July 31 (college students $10).
- Military members, first responders and veterans are free every day with an ID.
😋 By the numbers: Ohio State Fair foods on a stick in 2025
Here's a fun statistic to share with fellow fairgoers: Concession stands will be serving 20 different foods on a stick this year.
The intrigue: After crunching the numbers, we've learned that's somehow lower than average over the past four fairs.
Zoom in: This year's delicacies include the obvious corn dogs, cotton candy and candy apples, plus oddities like a sausage s'more skewer, fried gator and moonshine chicken.
What's next: Alissa is going to taste test a few ... for journalism, of course.
Note: This story has been updated with additional new food details.