While the Ohio State Fair brings people together over fried food and community attractions, like the famous butter cow unveiling, its biggest thrills are the rides.
Classic carnival coasters and rides that take you for a spin (hold onto your funnel cake!) bring tons of people to the state fair, so it’s important to be familiar with the ride schedule.
Here’s what you need to know about the ride schedule and prices for the 2026 Ohio State Fair, which runs from July 29 to Aug. 9.
What hours are the rides open?
The midway rides are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 29, July 31 and Aug. 3-7. Rides are open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 30, with a sensory-friendly morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., when lights and sounds will be off.
Ride hours for Aug. 1, 2 and 8 are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The last day of the fair, Aug. 9, will have midway rides open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Jul 26, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Visitors to the Ohio State Fair enjoy rides on the midway as sun sets on the Columbus skyline.
How much does it cost to go on the rides?
Advance-sale ride-all-day wristbands are available through July 28 for $33. After that, the wristband will cost $38.
Fairgoers can buy individual digital tickets on site, and all rides require three or more tickets.
Dispatch Reporter Nora Igelnik can be reached at nigelnik@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rides to take over the midway at Ohio State Fair. Here’s the schedule
