2025 Ohio State Fair Wrap-Up

The 2025 Ohio State Fair recently concluded, marking another successful year of community engagement while showcasing Ohio's educational initiatives and opportunities. The Ohio Department of Higher Education again participated as part of the Youth Exploration Space (Lausche Building), along with our partners at the Ohio Technology Consortium and the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. Over the course of the fair, we were also joined by our campus partners from Ohio's colleges, universities, and career technical centers, which took the opportunity to highlight and promote various programs and career fields to thousands of fairgoers.

Visitor engagement was a hallmark of the ODHE booth, and guests could take part in numerous hands-on activities. With back-to-school season in full swing, it was the perfect time for kids to make a backpack tag or color a bookmark. They could also learn more about supercomputers while disassembling and reassembling a supercomputer node. The Ohio Tuition Trust Authority prize wheel was a popular destination for kids throughout the fair, and guests of all ages could tour Ohio's campuses virtually through the Universe of Opportunity virtual reality activity. The booth was manned by knowledgeable staff who were ready to answer questions about career pathways, saving for college, and how Ohio is making higher education accessible and affordable for all.

Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel visited the ODHE booth on opening day of the fair, and the Governor returned with First Lady Fran DeWine later in the week to get a closer look at the Universe of Opportunity and supercomputer activity.

The Ohio State Fair continues to be a great vehicle for engaging with the public, having meaningful conversations, sharing valuable information, and promoting educational resources, all in a spirit of fun and enjoyment. We're already looking forward to next year (which, incidentally, will also be the 250th birthday of America) - see you then!

Photos from the 2025 Ohio State Fair:

First Lady Fran DeWine and Governor Mike DeWine with Dr. Alan Chalker, director of strategic programs at the Ohio Supercomputer Center, at the 2025 Ohio State Fair.

Kent State University Provost Dr. Melody Tankersley and Flash the Golden Eagle pose with Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Chancellor Mike Duffey during opening day of the Ohio State Fair.

John Strawn, communications manager at the Ohio Technology Consortium, helps young visitors to the ODHE booth with the virtual reality activity.

Mascots from the Dayton Dragons and University of Toledo pose with a fan.

Former Miami University and NBA basketball star Wally Szczerbiak stopped by the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority prize wheel with his daughter, Ohio Fairs' Queen Amberly Szczerbiak.

Crew Cat, the official mascot of the Columbus Crew, made an appearance at this year's Ohio State Fair.

Stinger, the Columbus Blue Jackets' mascot, supervises the prize wheel.

Engineering students from The Ohio State University were in our second Connect with Campuses space showing the EcoCAR, used as part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, a four-year automotive engineering competition.

Among our campus partners during the 2025 Ohio State Fair was Lake Erie College.

Shawnee State University was another Ohio State Fair campus partner.

Ohio University was our campus partner during Senior Day at the Ohio State Fair and provided information about lifelong learning programs.

With the first day of school just around the corner, creating backpack tags was a popular activity.