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Accessibility

Accessibility Guide

The Ohio State Fair is committed to inclusion and accessibility. Read more about our services, or contact us at info@expo.ohio.gov or 614-644-3247 if you have any questions regarding your visit.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available in the general parking lots. Please let the parking attendant know you are looking for accessible parking and they will direct you to the correct area.

Assisted Listening Devices

Free assisted listening devices are available for use at the WCOL Celeste Center, Main Street Stage, and the AARP Gazebo Stage. Visitors must leave a photo ID.

Accessible Seating and ASL Interpretation

for concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center

Accessible Seating

Accessible seats for concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center can be purchased at the same cost directly from Ticketmaster. To view accessible seats, click the “filters” button, then toggle on the “accessibility” button to see wheelchair seating, seating for individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing, or seating for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Up to three companion seats are available for purchase adjacent to an accessible seat. Standing is prohibited in accessible seating areas.

ASL Interpretation

ASL signed interpretation is provided for all paid ticketed concerts in the WCOL Celeste Center. Seats for patrons using interpretation services are located in front of the interpreter in Section 105.

Video Screens
Large LED video screens hang stage left and stage right to provide visual enhancement of each performance (use of video screens is subject to the approval of individual performers).

Wheelchair, Stroller, Wagon, and Locker Rentals

HomeTown Mobility is proud to be the exclusive scooter and wheelchair rental provider for the Ohio State Fair. A limited number of wheelchairs and scooters are held for walk-up customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Single Stroller - $20/day
Double Stroller - $25/day
Wagon - $20/day
Manual wheelchair - $25/day*
Electric scooter - $70/day (8 a.m. - 11 p.m.)*
Storage cubicles (lockers) - $5/day

*Advance reservations for manual wheelchairs or electric scooters

HomeTown Mobility accepts advance reservations online at htmia.com or by calling 1-712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CST), Monday – Friday. The company is open seven days a week during the Fair to accept call-in reservations and answer questions from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is an additional $5 processing fee for all call-in reservations. Reservations will ONLY be accepted for full day scooter and wheelchair rentals. Reservations are not accepted for strollers, wagons, or storage cubicles. Reservations need to be made 24 hours in advance. A driver’s license or state ID is required for all rentals. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund, minus a $5 cancellation fee.

Walk-up rental of manual wheelchairs and electric scooters

A limited number of wheelchairs and electric scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is highly recommended that you reserve a unit to ensure you have a rental for the day of your visit.

Support for Individuals who are Blind or Have Low Vision

Individuals who are blind or have low vision can use the Aira app for assistance navigating the Ohio State Fair for free! Whether you regularly wear and use Aira Horizon Smart Glasses or are a person with access to a smartphone with a camera, you can access the Aira app to connect with a real-time agent to describe your surroundings for free! Aira is a live, on-demand visual interpretation and productivity tool connecting users to actual humans who describe your visual surroundings using your smartphone camera. This service is available thanks to a partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio.

Wheelchair Charging Stations

Complimentary wheelchair/mobility device charging stations are located in the following buildings in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Please look for the signs indicating the charging area.

Bricker MarketPlace Building
Kasich Hall
Lausche Youth Center
Natural Resources Park Pavilion
Taste of Ohio Café
WCOL Celeste Center

Accessible Restrooms

Brown Sheep Building
Cardinal Restrooms – freestanding restroom building located near the giant red Cardinal
WCOL Celeste Center (only open during concerts)*
Ag-Pro Companies Taft Coliseum
Steve R. Rauch, Inc. Cooper Arena
Gilligan Livestock Complex
Land & Living Bldg. presented by Ohio Farm Bureau
Bricker MarketPlace Building
Kasich Hall*
Natural Resources Park
Rhodes Center lobby**
Taste of Ohio Café*
Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center
Lausche Youth Exploration Space

*Family restroom available.

**This restroom is not fully accessible, but some accommodations have been made such as grab bars, elevated seats, door changes, etc.

Dietary Options

The Ohio State Fair wants to ensure that all fairgoers can make the most of their experience, including finding foods that fit a variety of diets. Foods that fit special dietary needs are available in locations across the Fair. If you’re unsure if a specific item fits your dietary needs, be sure to ask the vendor about concerns such as cross- contamination. Below are a few Fair foods that are typically gluten and dairy free. Visit ohiostatefair. com/food for a full list of restriction-friendly foods.

Corn and corn products: Roasted sweet corn and other products made with corn, such as tacos, nachos and taco salad, can be safe when avoiding gluten, nuts, and dairy.
Dole Whip: All flavors of this sweet treat have the smooth taste of soft serve ice cream with no dairy and no gluten.
French Fries: French fries are usually gluten-free, so if you’re looking for a salty, fried option at the Fair, this is a great bite to try! Make sure you ask vendors about cross contamination. If French fries share a fryer with gluten-containing foods, those with serious gluten intolerances or celiac disease should avoid this option.
Frozen Drinks: Most ingredients and syrups for slushies, snow cones, and Kona Ice are gluten-free.
Iced Tea: Ohio summers are warm, so cool off with this refreshing gluten and dairy-free beverage.
Meat: Whether you love steak on-a-stick, chicken, mouthwatering ribs (including those sauced up by Famous Gabby’s Inc.), slow- cooked pulled pork, turkey legs, sausage or tenderloin, meat options are usually gluten-free.
Home of the Gyros: The Gyro sandwiches and Greek salads with chicken, fish, or vegetables are vegetarian, dairy, and peanut-free.
Schmidt’s of German Village: Schmidt’s, which has been a Fair tradition for more than a century, offers many different gluten-free menu options. Try a Bahama Mama, bratwurst, chicken bratwurst, all beef frankfurter, German Potato Salad, or sauerkraut to taste Fair tradition.
Eaton Cookies: If you are looking for a sweet treat, Eaton Cookies offer delicious chocolate chip cookies that are both peanut and tree-nut free. Be sure to double check with the vendor about potentially cross- contamination with dairy or gluten products.

Quiet Room

The air-conditioned Quiet Room is located in the Taste of Ohio Café. With a small adjacent restroom, sensory items, and comfortable seating, it provides a space for quick sensory relief. Volunteer assistance during the Fair is kindly provided by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and OCALI.

Sensory-Friendly Area

During peak hours, the Ohio State Fair can be noisy and can overwhelm the senses. One particular area, the 8-acre Natural Resources Park, is naturally soothing. With plenty of trees, benches, and even a waterfall, this serene area allows for some sensory refuge.

Service Animals

Pets are not permitted on the grounds during the Fair with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition or competition (such as livestock and 4-H events). Service animals are those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animal relief areas with waste receptacles will be available on the Rhodes Center Lawn, in Central Park, and in Natural Resources Park.

Sensory-Friendly Morning

Aug. 3, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We’re turning down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly in partnership with the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI), the Autism Society of Central Ohio (ASCO), and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD). Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music or take a break in the quiet room. Visit ohiostatefair.com/events, or download the Ohio State Fair app, to view a complete schedule of activities and exhibits.

Questions & Feedback

info@expo.ohio.gov
614-644-3247

All information subject to change.