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Anduril takes its first Ohio victory lap

The defense company continues to grow its Ohio operation amid the war in Iran.

News

Nearly 18 months after Anduril announced its presence in Ohio and 4 months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beginning production" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/23/anduril-factory-rickenbacker-facility-production" data-vars-content-id="eff5a954-4d4c-4ab9-b2bc-b8b90b05f63f" data-vars-headline="Anduril takes its first Ohio victory lap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/23/anduril-factory-rickenbacker-facility-production" target="_self">beginning production</a>, the company is celebrating the first autonomous aircraft completed at its massive new factory.Why it matters: The defense company&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arsenal-1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.anduril.com/arsenal/arsenal-1" data-vars-content-id="eff5a954-4d4c-4ab9-b2bc-b8b90b05f63f" data-vars-headline="Anduril takes its first Ohio victory lap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.anduril.com/arsenal/arsenal-1" target="_blank">Arsenal-1</a> facility near Rickenbacker is anticipated to be one of Ohio&#x27;s largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job creation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="eff5a954-4d4c-4ab9-b2bc-b8b90b05f63f" data-vars-headline="Anduril takes its first Ohio victory lap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" target="_self">job creation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" data-vars-content-id="eff5a954-4d4c-4ab9-b2bc-b8b90b05f63f" data-vars-headline="Anduril takes its first Ohio victory lap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" target="_self">economic development</a> projects as war in Iran adds urgency to its work.

What's new at the 2026 Ohio State Fair

Plan your visit around these new attractions and tasty treats.

The Ohio State Fair returns this week with a nod to the past and an eye on the future.Why it matters: The fair is one of Central Ohio&#x27;s biggest events, drawing around a million visitors annually.<ul><li>This year&#x27;s edition doubles as a celebration of America&#x27;s 250th birthday and the unveiling of a $460 million fairgrounds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/p/about/expo-2050-master-plan" data-vars-content-id="ec462be6-21b2-4f8d-ab29-bd2359c1b2bb" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/p/about/expo-2050-master-plan" target="_blank">renovation</a> years in the making.</li></ul>

Chase becomes first OSU jersey sponsor in lucrative deal

The financial institution's logo will adorn 36 different varsity sports jerseys.

A JPMorganChase logo is joining the Block O on all Ohio State Athletics uniforms this coming season.Why it matters: Chase is the first sponsor to adorn Ohio State uniforms amid a wave of new sponsorships across college athletics.

The best Ohio State fair food deals

Coupons, $3 Thursdays and free water help your wallet at the 2026 fair.

The Ohio State Fair is known for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ridiculous food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" data-vars-content-id="237da338-7218-4eb2-9f70-73fc9afa1c5b" data-vars-headline="The best Ohio State fair food deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" target="_self">ridiculous food</a> — but if you&#x27;re not careful, it can hammer your wallet.Pro tip: A little strategy can help.

New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride

New exhibits and local food put Ohio on the main stage.

The biggest additions to this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="8bca1f43-9afa-470e-9ab8-e1176c2198d2" data-vars-headline="New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> are a collective statement about Buckeye State identity.Why it matters: Together, the renovations reflect a coordinated effort to make Ohio one of the main attractions.<ul><li>Honestly? It works.</li></ul>

The Ohio State Fair's new food hall is a hit

Bypass the corn dogs and funnel cakes — eat local instead.

State Fair

Though fairs are synonymous with rows of traveling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/13/2026-ohio-state-fair-new-foods-schmidts-cream-puff" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/13/2026-ohio-state-fair-new-foods-schmidts-cream-puff" target="_self">vendors</a>, I actually didn&#x27;t visit one during my <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest Ohio State Fair trip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/03/ohio-state-fair-new-buildings" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/03/ohio-state-fair-new-buildings" target="_self">latest Ohio State Fair trip</a>.Dining the news: I left stuffed after visiting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Food Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/ohio-state-fair-food-hall-vendors-showcase-building" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/ohio-state-fair-food-hall-vendors-showcase-building" target="_self">new Food Hall</a> on the first floor of the Ohio Showcase building and a couple other stops for local eats.

Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed

Plus: A butter bald eagle and Statue of Liberty for America 250.

America&#x27;s 250th birthday calls for cake. If you&#x27;re gathering ingredients, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="e000708e-0ae5-44a6-b4a2-eef5051a45cb" data-vars-headline="Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> has the butter covered.Zoom in: This year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="butter cow and calf" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/22/ohio-state-fair-butter-cow-construction-2025" data-vars-content-id="e000708e-0ae5-44a6-b4a2-eef5051a45cb" data-vars-headline="Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/22/ohio-state-fair-butter-cow-construction-2025" target="_self">butter cow and calf</a> celebrate the U.S. semiquincentennial, with a butter bald eagle, flags and Statue of Liberty set against a backdrop of fireworks.

The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair

The list includes ridiculous fried foods and trend-chasing adaptations.

Food and Drink

This year&#x27;s lineup of outrageous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" target="_self">Ohio State Fair food</a> has been set.The intrigue: The fair <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" target="_blank">announced</a> over two dozen new food and drink options, ranging from ridiculous fried things to trend-chasing adaptations of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dubai chocolate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/09/valentines-day-dessert-spots" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/09/valentines-day-dessert-spots" target="_self">Dubai chocolate</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dirty soda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/dirty-soda-trend-mikes-hard-lemonade" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/dirty-soda-trend-mikes-hard-lemonade" target="_self">dirty soda</a>.

The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

Columbus favorites will anchor the new Showcase Building.

No major development seems complete these days without a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" target="_self">food hall</a>, and the Ohio Expo Center &amp; State Fairgrounds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" target="_blank">renovations</a> 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&#x27;s fair.

We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts

The fair is scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9 and has nearly a dozen ticketed concerts.

Culture

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that time again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" target="_self">that time again</a> to rank the concerts at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" target="_blank">Concerts</a> are held at the Celeste Center, and advance tickets include fair admission.

Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts

Acts include a Taylor Swift tribute show and Rock Hall of Fame band Foreigner.

We&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" data-vars-content-id="8878a689-d044-493a-b7e3-829ad8c483b8" data-vars-headline="Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" target="_self">back again</a> to rank the concerts at this year&#x27;s Ohio State Fair, slated for July 23-Aug. 3.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="8878a689-d044-493a-b7e3-829ad8c483b8" data-vars-headline="Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" target="_blank">All concerts</a> take place in the WCOL Celeste Center.<ul><li>Advance tickets include fair admission.</li></ul>

A guide to the 2024 Ohio State Fair

What to know about the fair's new foods, contests and chaperone policy.

The deep fryers are sizzlin&#x27; and the butter cow is mooin&#x27;, which can only mean one thing: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="169th annual Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" data-vars-content-id="8b8573a7-aade-4d69-bcdc-33a1f9c16091" data-vars-headline="A guide to the 2024 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" target="_self">169th annual Ohio State Fair</a> has arrived.Driving the news: The fair opens this morning, with 12 full days of live entertainment, animal wrangling and food-truck munching.

What the Ohio State Fairgrounds may look like

Ohio plans to reimagine the entire 360-acre fairgrounds in Columbus.

The state fair you&#x27;re enjoying now might look a lot different in the not-too-distant future.Driving the news: Gov. Mike DeWine, a major fair supporter, asked for and received $190 million in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/06/ohio-budget-2023" data-vars-content-id="301942df-888d-4b47-9f2d-50251668cbe9" data-vars-headline="What the Ohio State Fairgrounds may look like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/06/ohio-budget-2023" target="_self">recent state budget</a> toward mapping out a &quot;long-term strategic vision&quot; for the grounds.

What's new on the State Fair menu

16 new foods make their debut this year, including burgers with Cheetos and a lemon cream puff.

Greasy, deep-fried, sweet, savory and spicy — a fair is only as good as its food, and with 146 vendors to choose from, you can taste it all at the Ohio State Fair.The latest: Sixteen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new items" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" data-vars-content-id="fba4db73-a864-4e85-a112-5ef67f793647" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new on the State Fair menu" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" target="_blank">new items</a> debuted this year and we tried four of them.