COLUMBUS – Opening day of the 167th Ohio State Fair is just under a month away.

On Wednesday, July 27, Ohio Expo Center & State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler along with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will cut the ribbon to welcome Ohioans and out-of-state guests to experience the magic of the Ohio State Fair.

“I cannot wait to open our gates in one short month and welcome visitors to enjoy all that Ohio has to offer,” said Virgil Strickler, General Manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “With new entertainment, livestock animals, plenty of Fair food, exciting exhibitions, thrilling rides, education, and much more, the Ohio State Fair has something fun for every fairgoer.”

In addition to many traditional attractions at the Fair including the butter cow, the Mountain Dew Midway, activities in Natural Resources Park, and the Giant Slide, visitors can also experience many new attractions and entertainers.

Some new attractions this year include famed escape artist Lady Houdini; and the brand-new “Dog House” pavilion featuring performing rescue dogs the Marvelous Mutts and additional canine classes; and Little Farmers, the Fair’s newest agricultural education exhibit.

There is new live music every single day at the Fair’s free entertainment stages, as well as roving pop-up performances and shows by talented new performers, including the hip hop juggler, hypnotist Kate Escape, the Rubber Chicken Show, and many others.

The WNCI Food Highway is slated to have some of the best and most delicious Fair foods. From classics like funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups, and turkey legs to brand new foods like Oreo cake pops, cornbread funnel cakes, fried olives on a stick, and a new biscuit barn serving a variety of different biscuit sandwiches, there is certainly a food for every palate.

The Fair is open July 27 through Aug. 7. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., except Sunday, Aug. 7, when admission gates close at 6 p.m.

Fairgoers can take advantage of advance-sale admission and purchase tickets for $8 through July 26. Ride wristbands can be purchased in advance for $25 through July 26 only.

General parking is free for all visitors in the main O’Reilly Auto Parts Parking Lot, which is located north of the Cardinal Gate. Accessible parking is available.