The Franklin County Fair Takes Over Hilliard This Week
The Franklin County Fair runs July 20–26 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, with daily admission at $10, a Wiener Dog Derby, demolition derby, and rides opening at noon most days.
There's a specific kind of nostalgia that hits the moment you smell fair food and hear a livestock announcer over a loudspeaker, and this week, Hilliard has it in full supply. The Franklin County Fair has been running for more than 100 years at the same fairgrounds, and it still manages to feel like a genuine community event rather than a manufactured one.
If you've never been, or it's been a few years, this is a good year to go back. It also happens to fall right before the much larger Ohio State Fair opens downtown at the end of the month, so this week is a good preview of fair season for anyone deciding which one, or both, is worth the trip.
What's Actually Happening at the Franklin County Fair This Week?
The fair runs July 20 through 26 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St. in Hilliard. Gates are open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., and Sunday until 5 p.m. Rides typically open at noon, with earlier openings on Wednesday (11 a.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.). Daily admission runs $10, and kids two and under get in free.
Core exhibits include livestock and horse shows starting at 9 a.m., open-class competitions, junior fair activities, and fine-arts displays, alongside the daily Kids Zone and a livestock petting zoo that tends to be a hit with younger kids. Rides and games are run by Bates Brothers Amusement Co.
What's the Grandstand Lineup Like This Year?
This is where the fair earns its reputation for range. The grandstand schedule includes harness racing, a demolition derby, tractor pulls, a rodeo, a free concert, and — genuinely — a VCA Wiener Dog Derby and Corgi races, which tend to be some of the most-attended, most-photographed events of the week. Daily entertainment also includes the Marvelous Mutts Dog Show and a set from magician The Magic of David Anthony.
Whether you're there for the serious agricultural competitions or just the demolition derby, there's enough variety across the week that two visits rarely look the same. Locals tend to pick a lane early on, families lean toward the afternoon programming and the petting zoo, while the grandstand crowd shows up later in the evening for the louder stuff.
Is There Anything to Do Beyond the Fair Itself?
Yes, and it's worth building into the same trip. The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society's Village & Museum at Weaver Park is open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. during fair week, with free admission (donations welcome), and it's positioned as a good place to cool off between fairground stops. The opening day traditionally includes a small parade into the fairgrounds near downtown Old Hilliard, with the Historical Society bringing out its antique Model A car and a 1930s fire engine.
If you want a quieter, more historical counterpoint to the noise and lights of the midway, this is an easy add-on that most out-of-towners don't know to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Franklin County Fair in 2026? The fair runs July 20 through 26, 2026, at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St. in Hilliard, Ohio. It's been held at the same location for more than 100 years.
How much does it cost to attend the Franklin County Fair? Daily admission is $10 per person, with children two and under admitted free. Tickets are available at the gate.
What time do the rides open at the Franklin County Fair? Rides typically open at noon, with earlier openings at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Gate hours run 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
What's on the grandstand schedule this year? The grandstand lineup includes harness racing, a demolition derby, tractor pulls, a rodeo, a free concert, a VCA Wiener Dog Derby, and Corgi races, in addition to daily entertainment like the Marvelous Mutts Dog Show.
Is there anything else to do near the fairgrounds during fair week? Yes. The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society's Village & Museum at Weaver Park is open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. during fair week with free admission, offering a quieter, air-conditioned break from the midway.
Whether you go for the animals, the rides, or just the fair food, I hope you get out to enjoy it this week. And if a week like this makes you think about what it'd be like to actually live near downtown Hilliard, I'm always happy to talk it through.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.
