Ohio State Fair

Ohio State Fair Skillathons

In-Person & Virtual Ohio Youth Skillathons

Open to any Ohio youth, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18, this is a separate virtual event to allow broader participation in 2023. You do not have to exhibit a particular species to participate in that species Skillathon. Virtual Skillathon participation does not qualify a youth participant for outstanding market exhibitor awards. Proctored Virtual Skillathon at the Ohio Expo Center will qualify for the Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor awards.

Ohio State Fair Information

Ohio State Fair 2023 Livestock Schedule: July 116 – August 6, 2023

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE 2023 OHIO STATE FAIR LIVESTOCK SCHEDULE

  • The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions is 1 p.m. on June 21, 2023, with the exception of the Horse Show, which closes at 1 p.m. on July 1, 2023
  • Livestock Competitions: https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions
  • In order to be more consistent with statewide livestock exhibition ownership rules, the Ohio State Fair has listed animal ownership dates below:

Market animals –

  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 26
  • Market lambs – May 26
  • Market goats – May 1
  • Dairy feeders – May 26
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch

Breeding animals –

  • Breeding Beef – June 1
  • Breeding Swine – June 1
  • Breeding Sheep – June 1
  • Breeding Goats – June 1
  • Breeding Poultry – June 1
  • Breeding rabbits – June 1
  • Dairy Cattle – June 1

Exhibitor Information and Supplemental Forms

 

Teens: Want to Help with the Ohio State Fair?

Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp and are due by May 15, 2023.

OVERVIEW: The Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistants (4HEYA) are a statewide group of 4-H teens that assist with Ohio State Fair events. In this process, members have an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program. They develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and aspirations needed for future success. 4HEYAs work in partnership with the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council, but the experiences as a whole are different.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?: 4-H members who are 13-18 years old as of January 1, 2023 and have previously completed at least one year of 4-H

COMMITMENT: 

  • Term: June 1 -August 31(Applicants are still eligible to apply to be a member of TLC for the next term. Find more information about TLC here.)
  • Working Events: Members are required to work at least 3 events at the Ohio State Fair. They will have the opportunity to sign up for their particular events in June.
  • Number of Meetings/Events: In addition to working events, members are required to attend one of the training options (either July 11 or 17, 2023), both are held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
    • Please note, individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.

LOCATION: All meetings and events are held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio. There are some Ohio State Fair events that are “off-site,” but members will be notified of the location prior to signing up for an event.

APPLICATION: Interested Ohio 4-H members are asked to submit by May 15:

  • completed application (go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp),
  • program fee ($25 submitted at go.osu.edu/4HEYA25 for new applicants, $15 submitted at go.osu.edu/4HEYA15 for returning applicants),
  • two references (one must be from a non-related Extension professional and one can be from non-related 4-H club advisor, coach, teacher, etc.)
  • DEADLINE: May 15 (no late applications will be accepted!)

YOUTH SELECTED RECEIVE: 

  • 4HEYA Polo
  • 4HEYA Nametag
  • State Fair admission and parking ticket(s) for the day(s) events are worked.
  • State Fair meal ticket(s) for the day(s) events are worked.
  • Optional state fair housing in the Rhodes Center Dormitory.
    • NOTE: This is not required, but is an option for youth to stay overnight, if they desire to do so due to event work schedules.While youth are not chaperoned after the event(s) worked, there are adults present in the dormitory on the fairgrounds who monitor curfew and security of the dormitory. Housing is in a gender-specific shared living space, with several bunk beds in one room. 4-H representatives will be housed with other youth participants (4-H members and non-members) of the Ohio State Fair.
  • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair.
  • An opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the state 4-H program.

State Junior Fairboard Applications – Due March 1

The process for selecting individuals to represent Ohio 4-H Youth Development on the state junior fair board has changed for 2023. All applications will be submitted to the Ohio State Fair JFB Coordinator using this link:  ohiostatefair.com/jfb and submit applications through the portal.  The deadline is March 1. Once the application deadline has passed, 4-H will be given the opportunity to review the applications that are submitted.

Learn more about the responsibilities of serving on the Ohio State JFB by contacting our 2022 representatives – Melina Matics (4-H) or Josie Burke (FFA)

Information: jfb recruitment

Ohio State Fair 4-H Results Announced

Nine local 4-H youth were recognized during the Ohio State Fair for receiving Outstanding of the Day Awards or Clock Trophy Awards. Outstanding of the Day awards were presented to the participants that scored in the top twenty percent of their class, whereas the top score of the day in each class received a clock trophy.

Josie Burke, Running Wild 4-H Club

  • Your Thoughts Matter – Senior – Outstanding of the Day

Savannah Disbrow, Backyard Gang 4-H Club

  • Companion Animals – Cat 1 – Honorable Mention

Katelyn Forshey, Backyard Gang 4-H Club

  • Outdoor Adventurer: Beginning Fishing – Outstanding of the Day

Julia Hartline, Backyard Gang 4-H Club

  • Workforce Prep – Senior – Outstanding of the Day

Allison Huck, Running Wild 4-H Club

  • Basic Archery – Outstanding of the Day

Melina Matics, Oak Grove Explorers 4-H Club

  • Companion Animals – Cat 3 – Clock Trophy Winner
  • Club Leadership 2 – Clock Trophy Winner

Levi Reynolds, Barlow Buckeyes 4-H Club

  • Ohio Birds, 1st Year – Clock Trophy Winner

Kenzie Smith, Oak Grove Explorers 4-H Club

  • Self-Determined – Natural Resources – Outstanding of the Day

Madison Smith, Cutler Clovers 4-H Club

  • Edible Landscapes – Outstanding of the Day

July 14 Project Judging Results

The results from the July 14 4-H Project Judging are now posted!

State Fair Orientation for Qualifiers will be Sunday, July 24 at 1:30 at the OSU Extension Office (1115 Gilman Ave). Qualifiers are required to attend State Fair orientation, receive State Fair information, tickets and have a photo taken on Sunday, July 24 at 1:30. If a qualifier cannot attend state fair, please call the Extension Office ASAP so the alternate can be notified and given the opportunity to compete at State Fair.

2022 project judging – blog and email as of 7-15-22

2022 project judging – blog and email as of 7-18-22

Ohio State Fair 4-H Food Drive

The Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council’s Community Service Committee (chaired by Melina Matics) has developed a plan for a non-perishable food drive that will support multiple counties in Ohio! Please help the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council reach their community service goals by contributing to the canned food drive at Ohio State Fair! All 4-H families are welcome to contribute by bringing in non-perishable foods to the Lausche Building (where 4-H projects are judged) each day of the State Fair. Ongoing counts of the top-contributing counties will be tallied throughout the Ohio State Fair from July 27-August 7! Thank you for supporting our communities!

Food items collected will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is Ohio’s largest food bank and it serves 20 counties covering nearly 10,000 square miles! Will your 4-H families help us contribute to the 170,000 meals provided each day in central and eastern Ohio?  – Kayla Oberstadt, 4-H Program Specialist

Entries Needed for 4-H Got Talent at Ohio State Fair

Don’t know what this is? That’s ok, here is quick explanation. In 2018 we had our first state-level talent show and competition at the Ohio State Fair. It was well received and continued in 2019. It was put on pause during 2020 and 2021 but has returned for 2022. Ohio 4-H will take 12 acts (individual or group) from across the state and have them compete in four categories (vocal, instrumental, dance, and miscellaneous). They place 1st thru 3rd in each category and choose a winner overall.

When: Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at 6:00pm

Where: Lausche Youth Center, at the Ohio State Fair

Who: Current Approved 4-H’ers in Good Standing

Categories: Vocal, Instrumental, Dance, & Miscellaneous

Registration Link: https://go.osu.edu/OH4HTalent

Registration Deadline: Sunday, July 17, 2022 by 11:59 pm

*The first 12 acts that apply and are confirmed with their county will participate

The rules and more detailed information are located at  https://go.osu.edu/OH4HTalent.

Ohio State Fair Livestock Registration – Due June 20

Junior Fair livestock registration for the Ohio State Fair is now open through June 20 at ohiostatefair.com/agriculture-livestock/livestock/.

When registering, here are some helpful hints.

  1. All entries must be submitted online.
  2. Please allow time to complete the entry process, as the system will shut down at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. Entries will be locked automatically after midnight.
  3. Late entry fees will be charged ($75.00) beginning June 21 and late entries will be accepted through July 20. Late entries must be emailed to Barb Prince, Entry Department (b.prince@expo.state.oh.us). Upon receipt of the email the entry department will make contact to secure credit card information. Please reference your department division for more details and to see if late entries are accepted.
  4. All junior livestock exhibitors must provide their date of birth. Date of birth is not required for open entries.
  5. Junior 4-H exhibitors must list the county in which the project is registered (in some cases, this is not the same as the county in which you live). You must list your county educator or Extension agent as the contact to verify your entry, NOT your 4-H advisor.
  6. Junior FFA exhibitors must list the county in which the project is registered (in some cases, this is not the same as the county in which you live). You must list your FFA teacher/instructor as the contact to verify your entry.
  7. Breeding sheep entries may require additional supplemental forms to be submitted no later than July 20 (without penalty). These forms will be available online after June 20. They will not be required if the information was provided at the time of entry. You should enter the correct class at the time of entry. However, if you do not know the information for which sheep will be shown, that information can be updated in the supplemental form due July 20.
  8. All junior exhibitors should include their shirt size.
  9. All market swine projects must be ractopamine free. All market swine exhibitors will be required to bring a completed copy of this affidavit with them.
  10. Reminder: All exhibitors who win more than $499 in premiums must visit the Ohio Supplier website. In the past, exhibitors were required to submit Vendor Information Forms and W-9 forms; this new process has been in place for the last couple of years. If not completed, your premium payment cannot be processed. If you have registered using the Ohio Supplier website in previous years and nothing has changed (such as your address or banking information), then it is not necessary to update this information or attempt to register again.