June 17, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge today announced $10 million in grants to support Ohio fairgrounds and enhance experiences for fairgoers.
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.
“Investing in Ohio’s county and independent fairs means investing in some of Ohio’s most beloved traditions," said Governor DeWine. “These improvements will ensure that our fairgrounds remain safe and accessible for everyone.”
“Innovation is prevalent across all of agriculture, and we need to make sure this is reflected in our county and independent fairs,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “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.”
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.
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.”
“Our local fairs are truly a place of agricultural tradition and celebration,” said Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. “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.”
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. A complete list of Ohio’s fairs is available on the Department of Agriculture’s website.
Full List of Fair Grant Awards
Adams County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Albany Independent Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Allen County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Ashland County Agricultural Society, Inc. $106,831.54
Ashtabula County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Athens County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Attica Fair Association $106,831.54
Auglaize County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Barlow Agricultural and Mechanical Association, Inc. $106,831.54
Bellville Independent Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Belmont County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Brown County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Butler County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Carroll County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Champaign County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Clark County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Clermont County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Clinton County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Columbiana County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Coshocton County Agricultural Society Inc. $106,831.54
Crawford County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Cuyahoga County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Darke County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Delaware County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Erie County Agriculture Society $106,831.54
Fairfield County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Fayette County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Franklin County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Fulton County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Gallia County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Geauga County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Greene County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Guernsey County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Hamilton County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Hancock County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Hardin County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Harrison County Agricultural Society Inc. $106,831.54
Hartford Independent Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Henry County Agricultural Society, Inc. $106,831.54
Highland County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Hocking County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Holmes County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Huron County $106,831.54
Jackson County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Jefferson County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Knox County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Lake County Agricultural Society, Inc $106,831.54
Lawrence County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Logan County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Lorain County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Loudonville Agricultural Society Inc $106,831.54
Lucas County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Madison County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Mahoning County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Marion County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Medina County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Meigs County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Mercer County Fairgrounds, Inc $106,831.54
Miami County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Monroe County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Montgomery County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Morgan County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Morrow County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Muskingum County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Noble County $106,831.54
Ohio County Independent Richland County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Ottawa County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Paulding County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Perry County Agricultural Society $70,498.00
Pickaway County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Pike County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Portage County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Preble County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Putnam County Agricultural Society $101,000.00
Richwood Independent Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Ross County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Sandusky County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Scioto County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Seneca County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Shelby County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Stark County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Summit County Agricultural Society of Ohio $106,831.54
The Agricultural Fair of Defiance County $106,831.54
Trumbull County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Tuscarawas County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Union County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Van Wert County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Vinton County $106,831.54
Warren County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Washington County Agricultural & Mechanics Association $106,831.54
Wayne County Agricultural Society, Inc $106,831.54
Williams County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Wood County Agricultural Society $106,831.54
Wyandot County $106,831.54
