Looking back: Historic black and white photos of the Ohio State Fair

Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch
·1 min read
The Fair Gateway of the Future is shown by the Ohio Expositions Committee, from left, William G. Lyden, Chair Norman Treadon and Ralph Cobey, in a 1963 photo. In 1962, Gov. James A. Rhodes began a capital improvements program for the Ohio State Fairgrounds site, renaming it the Ohio Expositions Center. The "OHIO gate" was designed as a signature piece for the site. It was built to shorten lines of traffic entering the fairgrounds to park; it had more entry points than the previous gate. It was first used in 1966 at the 11th Avenue entrance to the state fairgrounds.

The 2023 Ohio State Fair runs from July 26-Aug. 6.

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.

Historic black and white photos of the Ohio State Fair

The horse exhibition building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds photographed in 1945.
The horse exhibition building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds photographed in 1945.
A black and white photograph of the entrance to the Ohio State Fairgrounds and sign seen before the 1952 Ohio State Fair.
A black and white photograph of the entrance to the Ohio State Fairgrounds and sign seen before the 1952 Ohio State Fair.
The Columbus Dispatch building across from the Grandstand at the Ohio State Fair in 1953. Published caption: "The Dispatch building, directly across from the Grandstand, is again "open for business" at the Ohio State Fair. Fair visitors are invited to take advantage of the lounge facilities, send messages overseas by special short wave radio, obtain fair maps and programs and find out details of Dispatch insurance."
Ohio Governor Frank J. Lausche joined teenagers who were exhibiting at the Ohio State Fair for breakfast in 1955.
Ohio Governor Frank J. Lausche joined teenagers who were exhibiting at the Ohio State Fair for breakfast in 1955.
Linda Hessagell of Columbus, feeds corn to a young deer at the Conservation & Wildlife exhibit at the Ohio State Fair in 1956.
Linda Hessagell of Columbus, feeds corn to a young deer at the Conservation & Wildlife exhibit at the Ohio State Fair in 1956.
A black and white aerial photograph of the Ohio State Fair in 1960.
A black and white aerial photograph of the Ohio State Fair in 1960.
Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes and his wife, Helen Rhodes, play a ring toss game at the Ohio State Fair in 1963.
Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes and his wife, Helen Rhodes, play a ring toss game at the Ohio State Fair in 1963.
Sky-high view of Ohio State Fair in 1963.
Sky-high view of Ohio State Fair in 1963.
The entrance of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources area at the Ohio State Fair in 1966.
The entrance of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources area at the Ohio State Fair in 1966.
John J. Gilligan, left, Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, and John H. Glenn, Jr., the chairman of his Citizens for Gilligan Committee, spent a couple happy hours Friday campaigning at the Ohio State Fair in 1970 including taking a bumpy ride on the Giant Slide.
John J. Gilligan, left, Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, and John H. Glenn, Jr., the chairman of his Citizens for Gilligan Committee, spent a couple happy hours Friday campaigning at the Ohio State Fair in 1970 including taking a bumpy ride on the Giant Slide.
Part of the record 247,216 Sunday fair crowd at the Ohio State Fair in 1970.
Part of the record 247,216 Sunday fair crowd at the Ohio State Fair in 1970.
An elephant walks at the Ohio State Fair in 1971.
An elephant walks at the Ohio State Fair in 1971.
Prize cattle from throughout the state are led to safety after being rescued from the burning dairy cattle barn at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1972.
Prize cattle from throughout the state are led to safety after being rescued from the burning dairy cattle barn at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1972.
Fairgoers enjoy rides at the Ohio State Fair in 1972.
Fairgoers enjoy rides at the Ohio State Fair in 1972.
Ohio Gov. John J. Gilligan (right) shakes the hand of Darrell Thompson, 14, as Keith Robinette, 12, looks on. In the foreground are two large stuffed bears the youths won for being first in line for the Ohio State Fair in 1973. The lads had waited more than 300 hours.
Ohio Gov. John J. Gilligan (right) shakes the hand of Darrell Thompson, 14, as Keith Robinette, 12, looks on. In the foreground are two large stuffed bears the youths won for being first in line for the Ohio State Fair in 1973. The lads had waited more than 300 hours.
Ohio State Fair-goers wade through standing water after heavy rain in 1976.
Ohio State Fair-goers wade through standing water after heavy rain in 1976.
Melvin Heck of New Lebanon, Ohio, weighs himself on a large scale while enjoying a triple-dip cone in the Dairy Building at the Ohio State Fair in 1977. Visitors lined up to weigh themselves at the north entrance and to buy ice cream, cheese sandwiches, milk shakes and other milk products.
Melvin Heck of New Lebanon, Ohio, weighs himself on a large scale while enjoying a triple-dip cone in the Dairy Building at the Ohio State Fair in 1977. Visitors lined up to weigh themselves at the north entrance and to buy ice cream, cheese sandwiches, milk shakes and other milk products.
Heavy rain turned parking lots into mud baths at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1979. State Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert L. Mills said about half the 23,000 parking spaces north of 17th Ave. could not be used because of mud and standing water.
Heavy rain turned parking lots into mud baths at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1979. State Highway Patrol Sgt. Robert L. Mills said about half the 23,000 parking spaces north of 17th Ave. could not be used because of mud and standing water.
Children enjoy a mini rollercoaster ride at the Ohio State Fair in 1980.
Children enjoy a mini rollercoaster ride at the Ohio State Fair in 1980.
Russell Noel, 17, who travels with his girlfriend, Lori Milligan, 17 (of Florida), appears at the Ohio State Fair in 1978. Noel started in the carnival business with his cousin who operated a motorcycle show.
Russell Noel, 17, who travels with his girlfriend, Lori Milligan, 17 (of Florida), appears at the Ohio State Fair in 1978. Noel started in the carnival business with his cousin who operated a motorcycle show.
Shawn Simington was all work as he landed a 3-pound 12 ounce catfish Tuesday at the Department of Natural Resources fishing hole at the Ohio State Fair in 1980. The Kiddie Fishing Pond is free of charge and each child gets 20 minutes to catch fish.
Shawn Simington was all work as he landed a 3-pound 12 ounce catfish Tuesday at the Department of Natural Resources fishing hole at the Ohio State Fair in 1980. The Kiddie Fishing Pond is free of charge and each child gets 20 minutes to catch fish.
Teenagers experience some of the thrills and excitement of the Ohio State Fair as they whirl over the midway at the Ohio State Fair in 1981.
Teenagers experience some of the thrills and excitement of the Ohio State Fair as they whirl over the midway at the Ohio State Fair in 1981.
Food vendors are lined up at the Ohio State Fair in 1982.
Food vendors are lined up at the Ohio State Fair in 1982.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Historic black and white Ohio State Fair photos