Jun 25, 2026 - News

The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

Alissa Widman Neese

Blue sky over a fairground gondola ride: blue and yellow chairlifts suspended on cables with riders, near a white building under construction with a curved arch, with trees and people below. — Construction of the Ohio Showcase Building during the 2025 state fair. It's now ready to debut. Photo: Alissa Widman Neese/Axios

No major development seems complete these days without a food hall, and the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds renovations are no exception.

Why it matters: The new Ohio Showcase Building will become a central anchor to the fairgrounds when it debuts at this summer's fair.

It's one of two new facilities built as part of a $460 million overhaul wrapping up this year.

Zoom in: Central Ohio dominates its food hall vendor list announced yesterday, which includes the Cheesecake Girl, Schmidt's, Marlow's Cheesesteaks and Sweet Carrot (the former Grandview spot that's been catering-only since 2021).

Glass City Pizzeria from Lancaster and Daisy's Fish Shack, a new Lake Erie-inspired concept, round out the bunch.

The big picture: The Showcase Building will also feature a free Ohio history exhibit in partnership with the Ohio History Connection, including a life-sized replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer III.

💭 Our thought bubble: This all sounds great, but we bet its most-popular attraction might be the brand-new air conditioning.

🗓️ Mark your calendars: The fair begins July 29.

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The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

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