Franklin County Fair Opens Today
New and Traditional Partnerships Highlight the 107th Offering of Festivities
Even after more than a century of existence, organizers of the Franklin County Fair attempt to deliver something new to fair-goers each year who come to Hilliard each July from throughout the county and other parts of Ohio.
The 107th Franklin County Fair begins July 15 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia Street, but most entry gates are along Northwest Parkway on the north side of the fairgrounds.
The seven-day fair ends on Sunday, July 21.
Daily admission is $10; parking is free.
Amusement ride tickets are purchased separately.
Daily admission includes most activities and attractions but limited grandstand events, including the tractor pull and demolition derby, require ticketing.
Kevin Wiley, president of the Franklin County Agricultural Society, more commonly known as the fair board, said board members are excited to showcase several new shows this year.
“We have a budget and after each fair is over, we begin planning for the next one,” Wiley said.
Fair board members discuss what shows and exhibits were most popular and also what new shows could be introduced.
Franklin County Fair Board members participate in the Ohio Fair Managers Association where such ideas and suggestions are discussed, Wiley said.
“We talk about what works well and sometimes get ideas about what to bring here,” Wiley said.
Among the new acts this year is the Cincinnati Circus.
While not entirely new as the act was at the Franklin County Fair almost 10 years ago, the act has since evolved to become more a “thrill show” than a traditional circus, Wiley said.
The 45-minute show, with several times each day of the fair, includes a variety of acrobatics and human stunts, he said, in additional to animals typically associated with a circus.
Other new events this year include a school of falconry, demonstrating how falcons are used to hunt prey, and a sheep herding demonstration to showcase how certain dog breeds herd sheep.
For those who prefer mechanical things, the Mod Ohio Jeepers Association is hosting a first-time Jeep night at the fair.
In addition to these new events, the Franklin County fair continues to showcase historical activities such as a variety of 4-H events, capped by the livestock auction on the final day of the fair.
The 2024 Franklin County Fair is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 15-18; 9 a.m. top 11 p.m. July 19-20; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21.
The midway opens at noon daily, except at 11 a.m. July 17 and at 10 a.m. on July 21.
For a full schedule of events, visit https://www.fcfair.org/