Ohio State Fair
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Accessibility

Accessibility Guide

The Ohio State Fair is committed to inclusion and accessibility. Read more about our services, or contact us at info@expo.ohio.gov or 614-644-3247 if you have any questions regarding your visit.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in the general parking lots. Please let the parking attendant know you are looking for accessible parking and they will direct you to the correct area.

Accessible Restrooms

  • Brown Sheep Building
  • Cardinal Restroom
  • WCOL Celeste Center (open during concerts)*
  • Ag-Pro Companies Taft Coliseum***
  • Cooper Arena
  • Gilligan Livestock Complex
  • Nationwide® Land & Living. presented by Ohio Farm Bureau
  • Bricker Market Place Building
  • Kasich Hall*
  • Natural Resources Park
  • Rhodes Center lobby**
  • Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center
  • Lausche Youth Exploration Space

*Family restroom available.
**This restroom is not fully accessible, but some accommodations have been made such as grab bars, elevated seats, door changes, etc.

***Universal changing table available.

Universal Changing Tables

Universal changing tables are located in the following locations:
  • Ag-Pro Companies Taft Coliseum
  • First Aid Center

Service Animals

Service animals, defined as those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability, are welcome to attend the Fair. Service animal relief areas with waste receptacles will be available on the Rhodes Center Lawn, in Central Park, and in Natural Resources Park. Patrons attempting to bring non-service animals into the Fair, including emotional support, comfort, therapy, companion, and all other animals not included in the scope of service animals, will be asked to remove those animals from the Fair for the safety of our guests and the pets. Pets are not permitted on the grounds during the Fair with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition or competition (such as livestock and 4-H events).


Support for Individuals who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Individuals who are blind or have low vision can use the Aira app for assistance navigating the Ohio State Fair for free! With access to a smartphone, you can access the Aira app to connect with a real-time agent to describe your surroundings using your smartphone camera. This service is available thanks to a partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio.


Audio Descriptions

Enhance your experience at the Fair with audio descriptions for select buildings and exhibits. These descriptions provide accurate details and narration to make the exhibits more accessible for visitors who are blind or have low vision. To access the audio descriptions, simply download the official Ohio State Fair mobile app and look for the "Audio Descriptions" section. Here you'll find a list of available audio narrations.

Support for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of hearing

ASL Signed Interpretation

In partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, ASL interpretation is provided at the Fair’s opening ceremony, Marvelous Mutts shows, Great Lakes Timber (lumberjack) shows in Natural Resources Park, the Sale of Champions Livestock Auction, ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center, and a variety of other events. Pick up a daily schedule to see which events have ASL interpretation.

Assisted Listening Devices

Free assisted listening devices are available for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage, and the AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage. Visitors must leave a photo ID. View a map here.

  • Celeste Center - Assisted Listening Devices are available at the Box Office inside the center doors
  • Gazebo Stage - Assisted Listening Devices are available at the sound board to the rear of the stage
  • Main Street Stage - Assisted Listening Devices are available at the sound board at the northeast entrance to the tent/stage area

Support for Individuals with Mobility Impairments

Accessible Picnic Tables

Accessible picnic tables are located throughout the property.

Wheelchair Charging Stations

Free wheelchair/mobility device charging stations are located in the following buildings in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Please look for signs indicating the charging area.

  • Bricker MarketPlace Building
  • Kasich Hall
  • Youth Exploration Space presented by Intel®
  • Natural Resources Park Pavilion
  • WCOL Celeste Center

Wheelchair, Stroller, Wagon, and Locker Rentals

A limited number of wheelchairs and scooters are held for walk-up customers on a first-come, first-served basis, by HomeTown Mobility. Guests are strongly encouraged to reserve a unit in advance to ensure they have a rental for their visit.

  1. Single Stroller - $20/day
  2. Double Stroller - $25/day
  3. Wagon - $20/day
  4. Manual wheelchair - $30/day
  5. Electric scooter - $75/day (8 a.m. - 11 p.m.)
  6. Storage cubicles (lockers) - $5/day

Advance reservations for manual wheelchairs or electric scooters

Reserve online at htmia.com or by phone at 712-938-2029 (Mon.- Fri., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. before the Fair; daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the Fair.) Reservations must be submitted 24 hours in advance and are accepted for full-day scooter and wheelchair rentals only. A driver’s license or state ID is required. There is an additional $5 processing fee for phone reservations. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund, minus a $5 cancellation fee. Reservations are not accepted for strollers, wagons, or storage cubicles.

Sensory–Friendly Morning

July 25, 2024, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We’re turning down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly in partnership with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), the Autism Society of Central Ohio (ASCO), and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music or take a break in the quiet room. Visit ohiostatefair.com/events, or download the Ohio State Fair app, to view a complete schedule of activities and exhibits. A variety of resources, including social narratives, are available on OCALI’S website.

Accessible Play Area and Sensory-Friendly Location

During peak hours, the Ohio State Fair can be noisy and can overwhelming for some. One particular area, the 8-acre Natural Resources Park, is naturally soothing. With plenty of trees, benches, and even a waterfall, this serene area allows for some sensory relief. It also features an accessible play area.

Quiet Room

The air-conditioned Quiet Room is located in a designated trailer on the southeastern side of Central Park — Look for the Q symbol on the Ohio State Fair map. With sensory items, and comfortable seating, it provides a space for quick sensory relief. Volunteer assistance during the Fair is kindly provided by the DODD and OCALI.

Accessibility Guide

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Communication Boards

Communication boards, developed in partnership with the DODD, will be available at the Ohio State Fair's Guest Information Services booths, marked with an "?" on the Ohio State Fair map for fairgoers to take and use as they need.

Concert Accessibility in the WCOL Celeste Center

Accessible Seating

Designated seating is available for guests with disabilities. All accessible seating can be purchased directly from Ticketmaster by clicking "filters" then toggling the switch that says "show accessible tickets," or selecting a seat with a wheelchair icon using the select-a-seat function. This icon indicates all accessible seating options, including wheelchair accessible seats and seats in clear view of ASL interpretation for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please note: standing is not permitted in any of our accessible seating areas.

ASL Interpretation

ASL signed interpretation is provided for all paid ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center. Seats for patrons using interpretation services are located in front of the interpreter in Section 105.


Assisted Listening Devices

Free assisted listening devices are available for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, and can be picked up by patrons at the Box Office located inside the center doors of the building. Visitors must leave a photo ID.

Video Screens

Large LED video screens hang stage left and stage right to provide visual enhancement of each performance (use of video screens is subject to the approval of individual performers).

Dietary Options

The Ohio State Fair wants to ensure that all fairgoers can make the most of their experience, including finding foods that fit a variety of diets. Foods that fit special dietary needs are available in locations across the Fair. If you’re unsure if a specific item fits your dietary needs, be sure to ask the vendor about concerns such as cross-contamination or cross-contact. Samples of a few dietary needs, and some food offerings, are listed below as a reference. Visit ohiostatefair.com/food for a full list of restriction-friendly foods.

  • Dairy-free - fries, beverages, non-dairy frozen treats (such as pineapple whip and shaved ice), hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, nuts, and veggie bowls.
  • Gluten-free - stir fry, frozen treats (such as pineapple whip, shaved ice, soft serve, and certain varieties of ice cream and Dippin’ Dots), meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb, etc.), French fries (confirm dedicated fryer to eliminate cross-contamination), Bratwurst, Bahama Mama, and cotton candy.
  • Vegetarian - nuts, veggie bowl, avocado sandwich, potato chips, French fries, shaved ice, pineapple whip, sauerkraut, cole slaw, vegetable fried rice, veggie stir-fried noodles, fried vegetables, cookies, cotton candy, grilled cheese, nachos, beverages, and fruit.
  • Vegan - nuts, veggie bowl, avocado sandwich, potato chips, French fries, shaved ice, pineapple whip, sauerkraut, beverages, and fruit.
  • Peanut-free - mini donuts, corn dog, hot dog, grilled cheese, hamburger, meat (chicken, lamb, beef, pork, etc.), French fries, cookies, and shaved ice.
  • Tree Nut-free - mini donuts, fudge, veggie bowls, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, French fries, cookies, and meat options (pork, chicken, beef, lamb.)
  • Egg-free - meat (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, etc.), Bratwurst, Bahama Mama, nuts, veggie bowl, avocado sandwich, potato chips, French fries, shaved ice, pineapple whip, sauerkraut, German potato salad, nachos, beverages, fruit.
  • Sugar-free - certain sugar-free or unsweetened varieties of beverages including iced tea and lemonade, chicken breast, sugar-free funnel cake, and, sugar-free peanut brittle.

Questions & Feedback

info@expo.ohio.gov
614-644-3247

All information subject to change.

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