The 15 Oldest County Fairs in Ohio

The Delaware County Fair is one of Ohio's largest and oldest county fairs, with roots going back to 1816. Dating to 1816, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Held north of Columbus, it draws upwards of 400,000 visitors over its week-long run. Harness racing is featured.

The Wayne County Fair in Wooster is one of Ohio's oldest, dating to 1818. Dating to 1818, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Set in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, the fair reflects the deep agricultural traditions of one of the state's top dairy counties. Harness racing is featured.

The Geauga County Fair in Burton is one of the oldest continuously operating county fairs in Ohio, with a history stretching back to 1823. Dating to 1823, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Set in the maple syrup country of the Western Reserve, it draws visitors from across northeastern Ohio. Harness racing is featured.

The Lorain County Fair in Wellington has been a summer staple in northeastern Ohio since 1835, making it one of the state's oldest county fairs. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured throughout the week.

The Clermont County Fair in Owensville draws from one of the fastest-growing counties in the Cincinnati metro area, blending suburban energy with a strong agricultural tradition in the rolling hills east of Cincinnati. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Butler County Fair is one of the oldest in southwestern Ohio, held annually in Hamilton. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. It draws families from across the region for a week of agriculture, harness racing, and classic fair entertainment.

The Wood County Fair in Bowling Green is one of northwestern Ohio's premier summer events, drawing visitors from across the region. Dating to 1837, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured throughout the week.

The Fairfield County Fair in Lancaster is one of Ohio's largest county fairs and one of the last major fairs of the season, running in mid-October. Dating to 1841, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Its late date gives it a distinctive autumn atmosphere. Harness racing is featured.

The Columbiana County Fair in Lisbon serves the farming and small-town communities of northeastern Ohio along the Pennsylvania border, with harness racing featured throughout the week. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Ross County Fair in Chillicothe draws from one of Ohio's most historically significant regions — the first and third capital of the state — and has been a community tradition since 1845. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured.

The Knox County Fair in Mount Vernon is one of the premier agricultural events in central Ohio's heartland, drawing from a county with a strong farming identity and one of the state's most picturesque county seats. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured.

The Logan County Fair in Bellefontaine has been a July tradition in west-central Ohio since 1845. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Bellefontaine is home to both the highest point in Ohio and the first concrete street in America.

The Defiance County Fair is held in Hicksville — not the city of Defiance — serving the farming communities of far northwestern Ohio at the Indiana border. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured throughout the week.

The Coshocton County Fair is one of Ohio's latest county fairs, running into October in east-central Ohio's canal country. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. It serves the farming communities of a county known for its history along the Ohio and Erie Canal and Roscoe Village.

The Marion County Fair bridges June and July, running from late June through the Fourth of July week. Dating to 1845, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. It has been a summer institution in north-central Ohio since 1845, with harness racing as a signature attraction.