Now might be a good time to take a 12-day vacation, since that's the only way you can possibly experience all the offerings at the Ohio State Fair, which begins Wednesday and runs through Aug. 4.
Attractions abound, including the traditional — animal shows, arts and crafts and the return of the butter cow — plus new events like the death-defying stunts of the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show and the chance to watch artists create murals during the fair's first weekend.
Music will be a big draw, from ticketed concerts by artists including Stone Temple Pilots, Boyz II Men and Ice Cube to free performances.
Food looms large at the fair and several of this year's debuting delights are a big dill, with pickle lemonade, pickle-topped pizza and pickle deviled eggs jumping on the gherkin bandwagon. (Gummy pickles are also on the menu.) Don't fret — there will be plenty of corn dogs, old-fashioned lemonade and more conventional fair fare for the less adventurous.
But don't stuff yourself too much while ambling along New Food Avenue or you'll regret that third buffalo-chicken bomb when you're hanging upside-down on the Ring of Fire roller coaster.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Key points of the Ohio State Fair
The fair, which begins July 24 and runs through Aug. 4 at the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair, 717 E. 17th Ave., will bring a bounty of foods, both traditional and unconventional, thrill rides, arts and crafts, animal and livestock shows, live entertainment and of course, theudderlyadoredbutter cowand other jaw-dropping dairy sculptures.
Read more: What to know if you go to the Ohio State Fair
New Food Avenue bring loads of unique cravings
Pickle is the clear star this year, but that is not without plenty of other food that is both heavenly and surprising. From Schmidt's Sausage Haus' special fair-edition cream puff — a cotton-candy cream puff that has a cotton-candy-flavored filling inside the choux pastry — to Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ's Thanksgiving-stuffed turkey leg that's stuffed with stuffing, of course, as well asmashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other holiday favorites, your taste buds will get a ride.
On the normal side though, you'll still get your fair mains of fried Oreos, fried cheesecake, fried cookie dough, fried brownies and fried macaroni and cheese.
"It couldn't be a fair without fried food, could it?," said spokeswoman Jessica West.
Read more:From heavenly to 'huh?!,' here's the rundown on Ohio State Fair food
New safety regulations
Under a new safety protocol at theOhio State Fair, youths under 18 will be turned away at the admission gates after 6 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult chaperone.
With tens of thousands of people — maybe even more than a million — expected to flock to the fairgrounds between July 24 and Aug. 4,safety is a priority for fair officials, who collaborate with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assess and implement new safety procedures.
Read more:Ohio State Fair enacts new safety policy: No unaccompanied minors after 6
A new deviled egg that will 'stick' with you
Ohio's final entry in the yearly battle for the nation's weirdest state-fair foods: bubblegum-flavored deviled eggs.
The bubblegum deviled egg is described as having "a smooth, creamy bubblegum-flavored filling that will tantalize taste buds with the perfect combination of juicy and sweet flavors."
Read more:New deviled-egg flavor at the state fair will 'blow you away'
Preparing for traffic
Several streets surrounding the Ohio Expo Center have been closed since July 11 for the Goodguys 26th Summit Racing Nationals and will remain closed throughout the Ohio State Fair.
The following streets are closed: 17th Street, Velma Avenue and Silver Drive
Read more:Ohio State Fair road closures are in effect through Aug. 6
Get rockin' at the fairgrounds
This year's schedule includes popular rappers, country bands and comedians spanning the July 24-Aug. 4 Ohio State Fair.
In addition, two free concerts included in fair admission are scheduled. The All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir is to perform at 1 p.m. on Sunday and Hotel California, an Eagles tribute, is set for 1 p.m. on July 30.
Read more:Here's who is performing at the Ohio State Fair this year
Get ready for rides!
Midway hours are:
- 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.- July 24, July 26, July 29-Aug. 2
- 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.- July 25, July 27-28, Aug. 3
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.- Aug. 4
All rides require three or more credits, which cost $1 each, or fairgoers can buy a ride-all-day wristband at the fair for $36 or in advance (through July 23) for $33 atohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours.
Read more: Ohio State Fair ride guide: What to expect on the Midway this year
A tradition in butter
According to the American Dairy Association Mideast, around 1,400 dairy farms call Ohio home. That’s a lot of cows, but there’s only two — one calf and its mother — made out of butter, and they're back at this year’s state fair at the Dairy Products Building to greet visitors.
The creamy creations will be on view in the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio Expo Center, where thefair opens Wednesdayand runs through Aug. 4.
Read more:Ohio State Fair's 2024 butter-cow display honors nation's athletes
A license to kill...bugs
The Ohio State Fair has tasked its visitors with a very important mission and given them a license to kill.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to kill any spotted lanternflies you see at the fairgrounds, according toa media kit from the Ohio State Fair.
The invasive fliers have already been spotted at the fairgrounds. Visitors should check their vehicles for the buggers if they visit the fair, according to the media kit.
Read more:The Ohio State Fair kindly asks visitors to execute this invasive bug on sight
