Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced $10 million in grants to support Ohio fairgrounds and enhance experiences for fairgoers.
“Innovation is prevalent across all of agriculture, and we need to make sure this is reflected in our county and independent fairs,” Husted said to the crowd gathered in the amphitheater on a sunny Monday at the Pickaway County Fair. “We are investing in what is the heart of many of our rural communities and making vital improvements that will improve the fair experience all across Ohio.”
The funding was awarded as part of Ohio’s County and Independent Fair Grant Program, which was established to support county and independent agricultural societies with improvements including upgrades to grounds, electrical and sanitation systems, machinery and equipment, and ADA accommodations.
Grants will support a variety of projects, including new grandstands, repairing or replacing dilapidated buildings, new or improved restroom facilities, parking and camping sites, and ADA accessibility improvements like ramp additions and improved pathways. Several projects include electrical upgrades, lighting improvements, and additional directional and traffic signage.
“We asked the fairs to think about how they could use the funding, and they had a lot of requests — $36 million in requests — but we only had $10 million to give away,” Husted said. “Everybody’s getting some funding including for repairs to aging buildings and livestock facilities, safety upgrades, new campsites, added handicap parking and accessibility upgrades, sanitation upgrades, and more.”
Husted continued, “We are helping to preserve the tradition at these county fairs with these improvements, making the fair safer, more accessible, and hopefully, making it more fun and attractive to the local community. We have to continue to innovate every year to do new things and make people give people a better experience.”
Pickaway County Agricultural Society will receive nearly $107,000 for electrical upgrades along with additional directional and traffic signage at the fairgrounds.
“We got electrical upgrades to do that we didn’t get finished in our first phase and there will be some advertising signs put up out front so that we can better advertise to get more people — we rent this fairgrounds at least 45 times a year. There’s always something going on here. It’s a busy place,” President of the Pickaway County Agricultural Society Von Cremeans said to the Herald.
All 94 county and independent fairs applied and received funding. Funding for the program was made possible with support from the 135th Ohio General Assembly in House Bill 33, which specifies funds should be distributed evenly among all eligible grant applicants. All applicants were awarded up to $106,831.54, with two fairs requesting a lower amount. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development.
“Ohio’s county and independent fairs are a longstanding pastime and are deeply embedded in the heart of our communities,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “By funding necessary improvements, we’re ensuring fairgrounds are safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all, allowing families to keep making memories for generations to come.”
Improvements made to fairgrounds near and far will echo an eternity by ensuring a lasting legacy.
“The improvements that we’re doing at all 94 fairgrounds will remain and will ensure that all of our fairgrounds will remain accessible and welcoming and super vibrant for many generations to come,” Mihalik said. “And they’ll also ensure residents and visitors alike have a great time and they certainly will want to come back. So I want to extend my congratulations to all of the county independent affairs receiving the award today. And a special congratulations to the Pickaway County Agricultural Society. What a beautiful facility that you have here.”
Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, added, “Our local fairs are truly a place of agricultural tradition and celebration. People from communities everywhere come to visit and learn about agriculture because of the quality of programming at our fairs. These dollars will continue to uplift and improve each and every fairground across the state.”
Baldridge said since 2019, more than $40 million has been invested in Ohio’s fairs.
“Our fairs here in Ohio are born from a strong agricultural history, most of which have been around for a 150 years,” he said. “Today, I believe our fares are stronger than ever. This is the cohesiveness part of our communities. We have seen general increase in attendance and an uptick to the number of exhibitors, throughout our fairs. You can only take a brief look around and see it here at Pickaway County Fair.”
Ohio is home to 94 county and independent fairs across the state. The fair season officially kicked off June 8 with the Paulding County Fair and will wrap up Oct. 12 with the Fairfield County Fair.
“Investing in Ohio’s county and independent fairs means investing in some of Ohio’s most beloved traditions,” said Governor Mike DeWine said in a press release issued Monday. “These improvements will ensure that our fairgrounds remain safe and accessible for everyone.”
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