1886 Restaurant
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Operated by Schmidt's Sausage Haus, the air-conditioned 1886 Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner offering fairgoers a menu of Schmidt’s tried and true staples along with a variety of other items. One cannot live on sausage alone! Fun Fact, Schmidt’s was founded in 1886 and the Ohio State Fair found its permanent home here in 1886, hence the perfect name!
Administration Building (1909)
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (closes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 4)
This building houses many of the Ohio Expo Center staff offices.
Ag-Pro Companies Taft Coliseum (1917)
Open all Fair hours
This building is the site of many dog agility (July 26), draft horse shows, mounted shooting, trick riding and other livestock events.
Bricker MarketPlace Building (1966)
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Visit commercial and informational booths offering a variety of novelties, jewelry, demonstration items, home remodelers, state agencies, and attractions, as well as the Food Court and an Ohio beer and wine sales location.
Brown Sheep Building (1930)
8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
This arena is home to all sheep exhibits and shows, including a store with all things wool.
Cardinal Patio
Hours vary
Special demonstrations and exhibits.
Central Park
Open all Fair hours
Relax at the center of the Fair.
Cooper Arena (1965)
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Swing by this building daily for exciting dairy cattle events and judging.
Cox Fine Arts Center (1909)
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Home to one of the largest state fair fine arts exhibitions. Patrons can also purchase artwork from the All Ohio Art Gift Shop from Ohio artists.
Dairy Products Building (1925)
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
See the famous butter cow sculpture, which first appeared at the Ohio State Fair in 1903, while you enjoy your favorite dairy products from Ohio-produced ice cream to the celebrated cheese sandwich.
The Dog House
Open all Fair hours
This building hosts a variety of K-9 entertainment, allowing visitors to catch some shade with man’s best friends.
Fair Flea Market (1888)10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Searching for that perfect vintage item? Look no further; a variety of antique dealers and exhibitors sell jewelry, records, toys, memorabilia and more at the Fair.
Gazebo Stage
Open all Fair hours
This stage is home to many talented performers, set to provide family-friendly entertainment and music at the heart of the Fair, near Central Park.
Gilligan Livestock Complex (1872 and 1978)
8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (closed Aug. 4)
This complex houses dairy cattle and draft horse exhibits, as well as a functioning milking parlor. An air-conditioned restaurant, Ranahan’s, is attached.
Infant Care and Nursing Stations
The Ohio State Fair offers two air-conditioned family care stations, one located in Kiddieland and the other in the Lausche Youth Exploration Space, at which parents can change their children’s diapers, and mothers who prefer to breastfeed their children in privacy can do so comfortably. Additional nursing stations are located in Kasich Hall and the Bricker MarketPlace Building. Furniture graciously provided by Big Lots.
Kasich Hall (2016)
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
The Ohio Expo Center’s newest building opened in July 2016. It now houses the Fair’s Creative Arts and Youth Arts exhibits (Hall B), sporting events, banquets, and other events (Hall A), as well as the permanent Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame exhibit.
Lausche Youth Exploration Space
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Visit the Youth Exploration Space to find many engaging youth-oriented exhibits and activities including 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, OSU Physics, COSI + Rocket and Space Zone, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Ohio Department of Higher Education, Tiny Town play area, family fun area, healthy initiatives hub, and much more! This year's theme is space with a focus on aerospace and aviation, as well as healthy initiatives.
Main Street Stage
Show schedules available at ohiostatefair.com/events
Catch a little bit of everything at the Main Street Stage, from free live music performances to amazing hypnosis shows.
Natural Resources Park (1956)
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (times of activities vary)
Enjoy free fishing for kids, kayaking, archery, a butterfly house, and so much more in this beautiful 8-acre park maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Enjoy native Ohio wildlife, a geological walkway, a new nature center, and a tall grass prairie. The outdoor amphitheater hosts free music and entertaining programs, such as the popular lumberjack show, throughout each day of the State Fair.
O’Neill Swine Building (1973)
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Check out swine exhibits, the “buckeye big boar” - Ohio’s largest pig, and the Pork Shoppe.
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 Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and OCALI.
Rabbit and Poultry Pavilion (1905)
8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Roosters crow to wake the grounds at this pavilion, home to rabbit, chicken, turkey, and duck exhibits.
Rhodes Center (1956)
Open during scheduled events only
This expansive facility is home to the All-Ohio State Fair Band and the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
The Rhodes Center also hosts the annual 50 Year Club meeting. The 50 Year Club Meeting will be held on Monday, July 31 at 10 a.m. There are also various 4-H judging events held in the Rhodes Center on certain days.
Taste of Ohio Pavilion & Beer Garden (formerly Shoppes at North Commercial) (1905)
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (closes at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4)
Visit the open-air pavilion and enjoy all things Ohio — savor the delicious local food cooked to order by Ohio agriculture commodities including the Ohio Pork Council, the Ohio Poultry Association, and the Ohio Beef Council. Don't miss the Ohio beer and wine garden offering local pours alongside daily entertainment. See beautiful horticultural displays throughout the pavilion, and browse homegrown Ohio products in the Ohio Proud Market.
Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
This building houses beef cattle, the Cattlewomen's Shop, and the Ohio Cattleman's putt putt mini golf course.