A familiar pop of a homemade ice cream maker in the background, the sweet smell of a dozen different treats mixed with a hint of livestock in the distance, a child ambles gleefully down the midway, cotton candy in hand and magicians draw crowds from the passing patrons.
The 158th annual Ohio State Fair returned to Columbus July 30. With its return comes the events, foods, rides, exhibits, games and souvenirs for which it is famous.
While admission to this year's fair would cost most Ohio State students $10, this is a small fee for all the activities a day at the fair offers.
One of the biggest draws to this year's fair is the "AEP OHIO" Ohio State Fair Concert Series, which features many different acts including: Blake Shelton with special guest Candy Coburn Wednesday, Aug. 6, The Oak Ridge Boys / The Charlie Daniels Band Thursday, Aug. 7, Chaka Khan Friday, Aug. 8 and Ted Nugent Saturday, Aug. 9.
Steven Swartz, a senior in nursing said his favorite part of the fair was, "Peter Frampton's voice box!" Frampton performed Tuesday evening as part of concert series and entertained the crowd outside through speakers on the midway.
Though there is a cost for the concert series the fair has many other performances such as the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Steven Knight (comedian and magician), which are free to the public.
Also free and very entertaining is the daily BMX Pro Stunt Show which is performed at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
When not viewing performances or shows, patrons can visit one of the many vendors located in the MarketPlace, the North Commercial Pavilion and the Antiques & Collectibles Pavilion.
Among the exhibits, the most impressive on first entrance into the fair is the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales.
Stuart, Greg, Donny, Prince, Mick, Barry, Ringo, Ben and of course Buck are on display daily from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. in tent adjacent to the midway. The impressive size of the horses, which "should stand 18 hands tall at the shoulders and should weigh between 2,000 and 2,300 pounds" according to a pamphlet, makes these creatures an incredible sight.
Also strewn about grounds are the familiar concessions which have become a staple at the fair, ranging from fried Twinkies and funnel cakes to turkey legs and egg rolls, patrons should have no trouble finding something to sustain themselves while strolling the fair.
In an attempt to draw in more people this year the Ohio State fair is providing special discounts on admission such as $6 tickets available through Kroger, "QFM 96 Fair Attitude Wednesday" Aug. 6 which offers $5 admission all day and "Coca-Cola Final Fair Day" Aug. 10 where patrons can bring in Coca-Cola products and receive $3 admission before 3:00 p.m.
Part livestock auction, part food court, part amusement park, part concert festival and part BMV, a working station is located in the MarketPlace, this year's Ohio State Fair has something for everyone to enjoy.
More information about the fair, schedules, discounts and attractions can be found at www.ohiostatefair.com as well as on Facebook and MySpace.
Andy Koenig can be reached at koenig.286@osu.edu.
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