Several things are for certain in life, death and the annual event of The Ohio State Fair. I have attended the fair year after year since I was a young girl and every year I love my visit and fond memories more than the last.
Since the inception of the fair in 1850, so much has changed over the years, but so much has stayed the same too. Like this guy … He is sort of like a big (ok giant) teddy bear, a softy that always has great advice about forest fires and he never forgets a name.
His name is Smokey the Bear and he made his debut in 1944 in Columbus sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Currently located at the ODNR entrance, year after year, we make sure to stop by and say hello!
{I still love it when my kiddo wonders endlessly about how exactly Smokey can remember him year after year}.
And along with Smokey, one must not forget about the great sky glider ride that was erected in 1969 and later extended in 1984. Ok, so I don’t recall the ride from 1969 but I do know that it is always a thrill to ride.
It surely is worth the price of a $3 ticket to have this birds eye view crossing from one end of the fair to the other and a bonus view of the Columbus skyline in the back drop. Plus it sure beats the long walk to the other side of the fair so early in the morning.
And more than just the skyride and the midway, the Ohio State Fair is all about the vast emphasis on the agriculture and the horticulture and the existence of numerous farm animals ….
If you haven’t been up close and personal with rabbits, and horses, and bovine (us city slickers call them cows), and swine and sheep and llamas and poultry and these super cute feathery friends, the fair is surely your chance.
And with all the babies being born and education, you (and your young kiddo) might just get a lesson in anatomy whether you want it or not. LOL.
I felt like I was standing in the middle of an Aflac commercial.
And of course with all the dairy cattle, an annual visit to the dairy building for ice cream and a Swiss cheese on rye sandwich while viewing the butter cow is a must!
And with all there is to do at the fair, we always seem to make our way around and end back up at the ODNR park.
From the youth fishing ….
to the prairie walk …
to the kayaking …
There is always so much to do and play and even to learn! And what is a day at the fair without enjoying the arts and crafts?
Normally my kiddo wouldn’t be interested in viewing the quilts, but in this case, this is his grandmother’s quilt and it won a 3rd place ribbon. {woo hoo}
And so the Ohio State Fair has been here and now it gone. Another one goes down in the books and as always, it is marked with new fond memories too.
So when given the chance, I strongly recommend to be a part of history, and make memories of your own … be sure to look for the Ohio State Fair in 2014.
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