The 2026 Ohio State Fair Was Better Than Ever

​      There's much to love about the Ohio State Fair, cumulatively speaking. That is to say, there's such a constellation of exhibits,

​​...entertainment,

​...food fare,

​...commercial buildings,

​...and other Ohioesque displays and offerings,

​...that there's something for everybody to love, whatever their persuasion. ​

      This year though, I think anyone who visited the State Fair would agree that this year's Fair was better than ever. This was thanks to a number of upgrades had been added, mayhaps in honor of 2026 being the country's semiquincentennial, a theme that played out around the fairgrounds.

      There were several major additions and renovations, foremost being a new building called Ohio Showcase,

...which housed a theater that offered a little promotional film about our state,

...and an exhibition hall of Ohio's contributions to the nation and the world.

       The exhibition hall presented a panoramic view of the fairgrounds from behind black-dotted safety windows.

     
​        In the building there was also a food court of Ohio eateries.

     
​         There was a new Ohio Agriculture Center, this one open and bright,

...and air-conditioned for the comfort of the young animals,

...and likely for the comfort of the plants and vegetables, too.

     
​      Next to the Agriculture Center was another new building, the Taste of Ohio Food Court.

       
​       Smaller but much appreciated additions were the handwashing stations located around the fairgrounds,

...and an even more greatly appreciated upgrade this year was the proliferation of a traditionally scarce Fair commodity: seats and picnic tables,

...which can now be found all around the grounds.

       
​       Best of all were the new many-seater picnic tables shaded by giant umbrellas that lined the food midway, so that there was now plenty of seating and shade for everyone.

       
​        There were other additions here and there, like bubble tea stands,

...and  finally, one quite noticeable subtraction.
        For the past few years there's been lots of Donald Trump merchandise for sale in the commercial buildings.

         But this year I didn't see one piece of Trump merch anywhere. 
         This may actually have been the biggest improvement of all at the State Fair.