Officials say this year's Ohio State Fair will focus on promoting the best the state has to offer in areas including Ohio's agricultural industry.

The 2018 state fair will be held July 25 through Aug. 5 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. This year's event will be the 165th.

The fair is open 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Except August 5, which closes at 7 p.m.)

Tickets

Admission for adults is $10 with advance tickets at $6. Seniors 60+ and Children between 5-12 are $8. Children under 5 get in for free.

Ride tickets can be bought $1 per coupon or an all-day ride pass is $25 ($20 if you buy in advance).

Parking is $5. For driving directions, click here.

To get more information on tickets, click here. To see this year's discounts and special days, click here.

Fair Map

To navigate your way around the fair, check out the map for this year. Click on the image below to see a larger version.

Rides & Attractions

This year's fair will feature more than 60 rides including the fan favorites like the Giant Slide and Sky Glider. To see more about rides, click here.

Some new attractions at the fair this year include the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Nerveless Nocks All American Stunt & Thrill Show. To view this year's attractions and schedules, click here.

Concert Series

Reba McEntire, The Beach Boys, TLC and comedian Trevor Noah are among the acts scheduled to perform as part of the concert series. The fair also has several free shows.

To view the complete list and ticket information, click here.

Butter Cow

The butter cow display announcement sounded like a 'major award' for fairgoers.

This year's theme is based around the classic holiday film, “A Christmas Story.”

Inside the cooler, sculptors have recreated some of the movie’s iconic scenes in butter, including Ralphie in his bunny suit, Randy in his snowsuit and, of course, the iconic leg lamp.

And someone must have triple-dog-dared the butter calf because her tongue is stuck to a pole right alongside Flick as the traditional butter cow looks on.

Click here to see more from this year's reveal.

Special days

Wednesday, July 25 Opening Day$3 admission until 3 p.m.

Thursday, July 26 Telhio & Ronald McDonald House Charities Day-When you bring one of the following “wish list” items per person to a booth outside the gates, you’ll receive a voucher good for $3 admission before 6 pm: new packages of sandwich or snack baggies, kitchen trash bags, aluminum foil, plastic food wrap or canned food. All donations will support families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

WOSU Kids Day Join WOSU Public Media from 10 am – 3 pm in Central Park for a chance to meet your favorite PBS KIDS® characters including Daniel Tiger, Peg + Cat, Super Why and more! Enjoy family-friendly activities and check out a live radio broadcast.

Friday, July 27 Meijer Day Spend $100 at Meijer between July 13 – July 27, 2018 and receive two free admission tickets by showing your dated receipt at a booth outside the entrance gates on this day only.

Saturday, July 28 Molina Healthcare DayProudly providing affordable and quality healthcare to families and individuals covered by government programs for over 30 years.

Sunday, July 29 Buckeye Health Plan DayBuckeye Health Plan is committed to improving the health of the community one person at a time through affordable and reliable health care plans. Visit our Community Partners Tent, near the Lausche Youth Center shuttle stop, to meet some of our agency partners and receive fun giveaways!

Veterans & Military DayVeterans and active military are given free admission with appropriate identification.

Monday, July 30 Family Discount DayUntil 6 pm, adults will be admitted for the kids’ admission price of $8, and kids 12 and under will be admitted free. With the purchase of one wristband, a second rider can ride free until 6 pm with a hand stamp. After 6 pm, all riders will need either a wristband or vouchers to ride.

Tuesday, July 31 National Church Residences’ Senior DaySeniors ages 60 and up can enjoy reduced admission of just $4 at the gate all day long. In addition, all fairgoers are invited to enjoy a free performance of The Rat Pack is Back in the WCOL Celeste Center at 12:30 pm.

Thursday, Aug. 2 AAA Member DayAAA members: Show your current membership card at a booth outside entrance gates to receive $4 admission vouchers for each member in your party.

Friday, Aug. 3 Ohio Lottery DayPatrons 18 and over may present a non-winning Ohio Lottery ticket at a booth outside entrance gates to receive one $4 admission voucher.

Saturday, Aug. 4 Ohio Soybean DayOne Ohio soybean farmer or Ohio Soybean Association member will be given free Fair admission, with each member in their party receiving $4 admission with voucher from Ohio Soybean News magazine.

Sunday, Aug. 5 Pepsi DayBring any empty Pepsi product to a booth outside the entrance gates for a $3 admission voucher for every member in your party before 3 pm.

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