For some retro vibes, enjoy these classic photos from the Ohio State Fair in the '90s
Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·1 min read
Hats for protection from the sun and a ride in a wagon are the best ways to be comfortable on a hot day at the Ohio State Fair in 1995. The Ziegenhardt children from Mason, Ohio, had their dad Frank provide the towing as they went from one fair attraction to another. From left are Zachary, 8; Iris, 6; and Hannah Ziegenhardt, 4.
Admission gate hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, except on Aug. 6, when gates close at 6 p.m.
Advance admission tickets cost $8 through July 25 at ticketmaster.com. Gate admission prices are: adults (ages 13-59) – $12; youth (ages 6-12) – $10; senior (ages 60 and older) – $10. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free.
General parking is free in the main lots north of the Cardinal Gate. COTA Line 8 and Line 22 bus stops are available on 11th Avenue just west of the Ohio Gate 8 south entrance.
Concerts include KidzBop, Third Eye Blind, Clint Black, Keith Sweat, Yung Gravy, Casting Crowns, Ludacris, Keith Sweat, Tyler Hubbard, Styx and more.
Free events in the Celeste Center include the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir and the Sale of Champions Livestock Auction.
George Hamrick of Circleville judges grain sorghum at the Ohio State Fair in 1995.
Waiting his turn in Western Reining competition at the Ohio State Junior Fair in 1995, Robbie Parker, 14, sought out a lone tree for shade against the hot afternoon sun. Parker is from Antwerp, OH.
Confetti fills the air as Governor George Voinovich cuts the ribbon to officially open the Ohio State Fair in 1996.
Seth Reay, 12, of London Ohio takes advantage of a commercial display of water misting fans to cool off while taking in the sights at the Ohio State Fair in 1996.
Lori Myers seems surprised at her own abilities as she blows this bubble at the Bubble Tape Bubble Gum Blowing Contest at the Ohio State Fair in 1996.
Vanna White and Pat Sajak talk with the crowd at the Celeste Center before the taping of The Wheel of Fortune at the Ohio State Fair in 1997.
Jordan Marx, 3, of Botkins, Oh., waves to the crowd as his brother Adam Marx shows his reserve grand champion market lamb Monday night at the 1997 Ohio State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions.
Clay Wood, 3, demonstrates for a photographer his rope twirling ability as his dad, Mark, watches during the Ohio State Fair in 1997.
Niesha Eaton, 11, of Chesapeake Va., attempts to climb a twisting rope ladder at a game booth at the 1997 Ohio State Fair.
David Turner, 13, in white car, and Randall Adkins, 14, both of Newark, Ohio, race around the track in go-carts Sunday at the 1997 Ohio State Fair.
Mabel and Lester Lewis from Rhode Island enjoy fair watermelon while chatting with Charles McCloskey, left, from W. Va. who was selling shoestrings that tie themselves at the 1997 Ohio State Fair.
Terri Workman, left, and Tom Stewart pour a copper pot full of fudge onto a marble slate for cutting at Diane's Fudge in the Buckeye Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997.
Getting her display ready, Virginia Clark climbed on the display shelves to straighten some items in the Agricultural/Horticulture Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997. Clark is from the Foothills Farms in Newark, Ohio.
As daylight faded, the lights of the Columbus, Ohio, night skyline and the midway at the Ohio State Fair in 1997 came together for a picture-perfect evening.
Ohio Gov. George Voinovich perfects his cotton candy twirling technique under the tutelage of Chiqunita Warren before he opened the Ohio State Fair in 1998.
Ohio Gov. George Voinovich uses a blower to dry a cow as he helps with the morning chores at the Ohio State Fair in 1998.
Former Ohio Governor James Rhodes, left, receives a ball cap from current Ohio Governor Bob Taft, after Taft named Rhodes 1999 Ohio State Fair Ambassador during opening ceremonies.
Michael Hoffman, left, holds on to his calf at the head of the line while Robert Hoffman, no relation, takes information as Micheal enters his calf into competition at the Ohio State Fair in 1998.
Riders of a swing ride take to the sky soon after entering the Ohio State Fair in 1999.
Steveana Coronas, left, introduces one of the canine stars from the Poodles of Paradise dog act, part of the Big Top Circus, at the Ohio State Fair in 1999.
Gov. Bob Taft conducts the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in a rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the opening festivities of the Ohio State Fair in 1999.
One of the many tables filled with all types of vegetables on display at the Ohio State Fair in 1999.
Khris Allen, who is a trainer for the tigers, lays down and chats to one of the Bengal Tigers in the Big Cat Show at the 1999 Ohio State Fair.
Sarah Shannon of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, washes down one of her dad's cows at the dairy barn at the Ohio State Fair in 1999.
Debbie Shellabarger gives nine-month-old llama Black Diamond a kiss as she and her husband pack up their animals and kids and prepare to return home to Xenia, Ohio, after competing in the 1999 Ohio State Fair. Shellabarger's animals had a successful four days at the fair winning 9 ribbons.
1999 Ohio State Fair goers enjoy an evening ride on the Sky Gliders and trips down the Sky Slide against a sunset sky, ending a day at the 1999 Ohio State Fair.
