Ohio State Fair welcomes 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

The Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class today in the newly opened Ohio Showcase Building. The Hall of Fame, established in 1976, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward making the Ohio State Fair one of the nation’s premier expositions. Since the program’s inception, more than 200 members have been inducted for their outstanding contributions toward making the Ohio State Fair one of our nation’s premier expositions.

This year’s class was welcomed by Ohio Expositions Commission Chair Rose Hartschuh and Executive Director Adam Heffron, with remarks from Governor Mike DeWine.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Beth Burger Former Exhibitor and Draft Horse Supporter

For 74 years, Beth has been a dedicated presence at the Ohio State Fair, continuing her family’s draft horse tradition dating to the 1920s. Horses from her bloodlines have earned numerous championships across North America, and her accomplishments earned her a place in the Percheron Horse Association of America Hall of Fame. Her children and grandchildren continue the family’s legacy as fourth- and fifth-generation Fair exhibitors.

Jenny Crabtree Senior Vice President of Communications for the American Dairy Association Mideast, Fair Supporter

For more than three decades, Jenny Crabtree has promoted the dairy industry in Ohio and West Virginia, strengthening consumer trust and advancing dairy’s role in health and wellness. She oversees the Dairy Building and its famous butter cow and calf display at the Ohio State Fair. Under her leadership, ADA Mideast has earned numerous state and national communications awards.

Upon acceptance, Jenny Crabtree stated, “This is a great honor. I remember going to the fair as a kid, and we’d always go to the Dairy Building to see the Butter Cow and have ice cream. Never in a million years did I think that I would be the one helping make those same memories possible for thousands of other families. The Butter Cow is a huge tradition here at the State Fair, and I have the privilege of helping shape and tell that story.” She continued, “I have a lot of memories here at the fair, and being inducted into the State Fair Hall of Fame will be one that I always treasure.”

Ron Dean Ohio Department of Agriculture Chief Amusement Ride Inspector

Ron Dean has dedicated his career to amusement ride safety since beginning at Geauga Lake in 1997. He joined the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Amusement Ride Safety Division in 2005 and was named Ohio’s chief ride inspector in 2023. Ron holds the highest National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) certification and serves as a national instructor and board member. He has helped open every Ohio State Fair held during his tenure and has opened and closed every day of the Fair since 2018.

“It really is an honor to be standing here,” said inductee Ron Dean. “In 2005, when I started with the Department of Agriculture, I’d never attended the State Fair. And to know that since that time, I’ve had a contribution to every fair since. I want to thank so many people that allowed me to do this job that I’m so passionate about. I look forward to continuing that support for this fair and many years to come.”

Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine Governor and First Lady from 2019-2027, and champions of Ohio fairs and Ohio youth

It is often stated that “No one loves the Ohio State Fair more than Mike and Fran DeWine.” They have been attending the State Fair together since in high school, and several of their children and grandchildren have participated in 4-H throughout the years. Not only is that true, but Governor DeWine has also supported the Ohio State Fair in an historic manner. In 2019, Governor DeWine formed the Expo 2050 Task Force, which has resulted in a $460 million series of construction projects that will culminate this summer. Thanks to Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine, there are now two new buildings, four renovated buildings, underground infrastructure upgrades, a brand-new Ohio-themed carousel, and more. It’s hard to find a day when the DeWines aren’t visiting the Fair with grandchildren. Every summer, Mrs. DeWine hosts cooking demonstrations, helping young children grind wheat to make fresh homemade pizzas, reading a story while they bake.

“Fran and I thank you for the honor of being inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “County and state fairs have been the fabric of our lives. We absolutely love the people and enthusiasm of the kids involved in 4-H and FFA and look forward to fair season every year.”

“It has been such a joy watching children experience the Fair, especially the excitement around the new carousel,” said First Lady Fran DeWine. “One of my favorite traditions is making pizzas with kids each year. The Ohio State Fair gives families a chance to come together and discover everything that makes Ohio special.”

Each year, the Ohio State Fair accepts nominations for the prestigious Hall of Fame, which are due March 1. After that, a selection committee made up of past Hall of Fame inductees, members of the Ohio Expositions Commission, and others, review and score all applications to select final nominees.

2026 Scholarship Awards

As part of today’s ceremony, the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame presented five scholarship awards to youth, drawn from three endowment funds:

• Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Junior Fair Board Scholarship Endowment (established 2009): awarded to Samantha Bader and Lydia Fuchs
• Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Non-Livestock Junior Fair Exhibitors Scholarship Endowment (established 2012): awarded to Anna Saling and Gillian Knight
• Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Band & Choir Scholarship Endowment (established 2007): awarded to Isadore Bailey, representing the All-Ohio State Fair Band and Youth Choir

The scholarships were presented jointly by Governor DeWine and Executive Director Adam Heffron. Additional scholarships will be presented at the Sale of Champions Livestock Auction on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The Ohio Expo Center is proud to host the Ohio State Fair. With big-name entertainment, educational activities, hundreds of exhibits and one of the largest junior livestock shows in the nation, the 2026 Ohio State Fair will run July 29 – Aug. 9. For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.