Many additions have been made to the Fair family

The fifth day in to the Fair and there have already been three births at the OVMA Veterinary Education Center, located east of the Dairy Products Building!

On Thursday, one of the cows gave birth to a male calf. His name is Virgil, named after Ohio State Fair & Expo Center General Manager Virgil Strickler. He is just the cutest little thing!

Saturday morning, one of the sheep gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. He has not been named yet. What would you name him?

 And last but certainly not least, another cow gave birth to a little girl named Frisky just yesterday morning. She has been up and moving in her pen several times throughout the day. All the fairgoers absolutely love her!

There are also a few more cows and sheep that are predicted to give birth during the Fair. Be sure to stop by the OVMA Vet Ed Center so you can see what latest bundle of joy is awwwing Fairgoers at the 2012 Ohio State Fair.

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Four days of fun

The fourth day of the Fair is coming to a close and I have got to say I am exhausted!

It has been four days full of crazy fun and excitement. I tried food that I never thought I would try and learned so many things in just two days I can’t wait to see what the next 10 bring.

Just from walking around on grounds I have learned the following:

1. You can attempt to fry anything and if it works people will eat it
2. Watch where you step and be on alert for random cow pies, flip flops probably aren’t the best choice for footwear
3. You can put bacon on anything (like a cinnamon roll) and people will eat that too
4. Abe Lincoln has come back to life and is roving the grounds
5. People sleep in the cow barns with their cows, now that’s dedication!

It’s only day four so I’m sure many more lessons will come my way. Ill be sure to keep you all posted.

Have you learned anything interesting at the Fair?

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Safety first

     Starting Monday, July 23 all of the 72 different rides on grounds are inspected and tested.  We want to assure that every patron who enjoys the twists and twirls on our Mountain Dew Midway or Kiddieland is safe. When several local news stations stopped by to cover the ride inspections, one of our Marketing / Public Relations coordinators snapped this picture.

     We're so excited for the Fair to start.  Leave us a comment and let us know what you love about the Fair.

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There's Only One Week Until the Fair!

With only one week until the 2012 Ohio State Fair kicks off we are extremely busy making sure all of our ducks are in a row before you arrive! Here are some helpful hints to make sure you get the most out of your Fair experience!

Get your advance sale tickets and ride-all-day wristbands at Kroger AAA, or Ticketmaster.  Advanced-sale tickets are only $6 and are sold through August 5. Ride-all-day wristband vouchers are $19 and available through July 24. Voucher holders can exchange for a wristband when they arrive on grounds.

Download our app available for both iPhone and Android. It features the Fair Food Finder, Park and Pin, which allows you to pin your parking spot when you arrive, and daily schedules right in the palm of your hand.

Parking is $5 and a free shuttle ride to the grounds is provided.

Use our website, OhioStateFair.com, to plan your day. Our site contains daily schedules, printer-friendly coupons and up-to-date attraction information.

From concerts and entertainment t0 agriculture and arts and crafts, there is something for everyone at this year’s Fair. So mark your calendars and get your advance sale tickets because this year’s Fair is sure to be a hit!

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American Honey Queen to visit Ohio State Fair

We recently had a chat with the 2012 American Honey Queen Alyssa Fine, who is going to be visiting the Fair. The 23 year-old Monongahela, Pa.native will be in OhioJuly 24 – Aug. 2. Come meet Fine at the Fair this summer! She is Fairtastic—if we do say so ourselves—so if you can’t, get to know her a little better here:

OSF: How did you get started in pageants? 

Fine: The American Honey Queen Program is definitely not a pageant, but more of a full-time job as a representative for beekeepers all across the United States. I grew up with a background in beekeeping, so when I came across the opportunity to compete for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen title, I was excited for the chance to promote an industry that I have grown to love. As the Pennsylvania Honey Queen, I was eligible to compete for the American Honey Queen title.

OSF: What are previous titles that you have held?

Fine: I was the 2011 Pennsylvania Honey Queen prior to my current position.

OSF: What is your favorite thing about fairs in general?

Fine: Fairs have so many wonderful attractions and events to offer. They often showcase the best of regional agriculture in a family-friendly atmosphere. I enjoy spending time looking at the judged displays just as much as I enjoy answering questions about honeybees at the beekeeping booths.

OSF: Have you been to the Ohio State Fair before?

Fine: This will be my first time attending the Ohio State Fair.

OSF: What are you looking forward to the most about coming to the Fair?

Fine: I am excited to work with members of the Ohio State Beekeepers Association at their display in the DiSalle Center Patio. I will be giving daily talks and many cooking demonstrations featuring honey during the course of my visit to the Fair.

OSF: Explain the American Honey Queen pageant process.

Fine: The selection process for the American Honey Queen position is much like a job interview. Candidates are expected to have not only an in-depth knowledge of honeybees and beekeeping, but excellent communication and presentation skills as well. I was required to write an essay on a honey-related topic, give a marketing presentation about beeswax, and interview with a panel of judges before being selected as the 2012 American Honey Queen.

OSF: What are your duties as the American Honey Queen?

Fine: As the 2012 American Honey Queen, I travel the United Statesfor one year representing beekeepers across the entire country. First and foremost, I am an educator. I attend a variety of venues such as schools, fairs and festivals, farmers markets, and government meetings to educate the public about the importance of honeybees. I work with various media outlets such as newspapers, radio stations, and television studios to reach a larger audience, as well. Every person has the power to protect and provide for honeybees- and I intend to teach them why and how to do that.

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New mobile app feature has us mooooing

The whole "Are you Team iPhone or Team Android?" debacle doesn't really matter to us. The real question is, "Have you downloaded our Mobile Food Finder App?"  If you are an iPhone or Android owner and haven't yet you are sure missing out.

The app now features a special "Park and Pin" tool.

Already featuring grounds maps, daily schedules, social media updates and the Food Finder for locating the yummy deep-fried goodness, the app now allows you to virtually "pin" your parking space. This makes it much easier to locate your vehicle when you leave the Fair—tear.

On a different team? Text FOODFIND to 82672* from your smartphone to access the food finder fun via your mobile web browser.

Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for more information on how to download this Fairtastic app!

iPhone: http://goo.gl/NSLpl

Android: http://goo.gl/54EQZ

*Text HELP to 82672 for help. Text STOP to 82672 to stop messages. Standard text messaging rates apply. 

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We're looking for last-minute entries!

July 12 is the final day for chefs and bakers from across Ohio to enter the “Smile and Say, Cheesecake!”, “Ultimate Breakfast Challenge” and the popular “Cupcakes and Cake Pops Galore” competitions sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) and American Dairy Association (ADA) Mideast.

Cupcakes and Cake Pops Galore

The “Cupcakes and Cake Pops Galore” contest returns for its fourth year and will take place at 3 p.m. on July 27 in the DiSalle Creative Arts Center. New this year is a cake pops category in the amateur baker division. Cake pops are small balls of cake covered in chocolate or fondant and served on a stick like a lollipop. Also new this year is a professional baker division. All recipes for both amateur and professional divisions must be homemade and each participant must use a combination (whites or yolks) of three to four eggs in each recipe.

Ultimate Breakfast Challenge

In partnership with the American Dairy Association Mideast, the “Ultimate Breakfast Challenge” competition will kick off at 10 a.m. on July 28 with a cooking challenge that will pit local celebrities against each other. After the celebrity chef competition, up to 20 exhibitors will be judged on recipes they must prepare in 30 minutes using a mystery basket of ingredients that will include Ohio eggs and dairy products.

Smile and Say, Cheesecake!

The popular “Smile and Say, Cheesecake!” Recipe Contest will make its eighth appearance at 6 p.m. on July 27. Three classes of cheesecakes will be judged including a savory, sweet and individual. Each cheesecake must contain at least four fresh Ohio eggs and “real dairy” products. 

To enter in any of the three competitions, please visit www.OhioStateFair.com and click on “competitions” and then click on “cooking, baking and decorating.” Entries must be submitted by July 12.

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Cowman on the Moooove dates released

Ohio State Fair's mascot, Cowman, will be touring central Ohio the two weeks prior to the Fair. Come to one of the locations or events listed below to get your picture taken with the lovable mascot, receive Cowman coloring sheets and, Cowman's personal favorite, Cow Tales candy:

• Thursday, July 12: COSI — 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus
• Friday, July 13: AMC Easton — 5 pm - 9 pm, 275 Easton Town Center, Columbus
• Saturday, July 14: Lifeline of Ohio's "Dash for Donation" — 8 am - 9 am, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District, Downtown Columbus
• Tuesday, July 17: Whetstone Branch Library — 10:30 am - 11 am, 3909 N. High St., Columbus
• Thursday, July 19: South High Branch Library — 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm, 3540 S. High St., Columbus

Cowman will be celebrating his 10^th Birthday this Fair and also receiving a new name! Be sure to come to the opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 25 at 9:30 am for the unveiling of his new name and to join fellow fairgoers and Fair staff in singing happy birthday!

Like us on Facebook by Sunday, July 15 to name Cowman and have the chance to win four WCOL Celeste Center concert tickets of your choice, an opportunity to walk in the daily parade and more!

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Ag is Cool program returns to the Ohio State Fair

Calling all exiting fourth grade students and teachers! Interested in agriculture? Want to milk a cow but have never had the opportunity? Well thanks to the "Ag is Cool" program, here's your chance and we say get moooooving!

Exiting fourth grade students of the 2011-2012 academic year, accompanied by one chaperone, as well as fourth grade teachers can attend the Fair for free any one day from July 25-Aug. 5.


"Ag is Cool" interactive stations are located throughout the grounds. At these various stations, students have the opportunity to:

·        Milk a real cow

·        Learn about bacteria and food safety

·        Compare their weight to that of animals

·        Spin wool and much more.

Exiting fourth graders are also eligible to enter to win a $500 scholarship.

In order to receive free Fair admission, exiting fourth graders must present a valid report card at the entrance gates. Fourth grade teachers can get a free admission voucher online before July 11 and enter to win a $2,500 classroom grant.

Visit ohioagriculture.gov/agiscool so you can have a Fairtastic summer!

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