2026 Ohio State Fair

Woodworking skills were on display during 4-H Woodworking Day at the Ohio State Fair Aug. 8. Members demonstrated their abilities with a variety of tools and showcased projects ranging from bookends and shelves to beds, tables, a chest of drawers, and even a wooden model semi-truck.

Eight clock trophies were presented, while the top 20% of participants in each class received Outstanding of the Day ribbons. Clock trophy winners were Xander Stacey, Clark County; Aiden Kroeger, Van Wert County; Alivia Brunswick, Mercer County; Brantley Rupp, Fulton County; David Gretz, Butler County; Lincoln Kahle, Putnam County; Lillian Adams, Muskingum County; and Nathan Crosser, Franklin County.

Thank you Randall Reeder for covering the event and the photos.

The 2026 Ohio State Fair concluded Sunday with the Sale of Champions, generating $396,500 in total sales to recognize Ohio’s top junior livestock exhibitors and support youth programs across the state.

Of that total, $270,500 was raised for the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program, which has awarded $5,247,150 to more than 46,473 youth since its inception in 1995.

There were a few new buyers this year, including Linde’s Livestock Photos, Joe Dirt Co., Rebco Electric, and Braman Technologies.

The top-selling animals of the day were the Grand Champion Market Beef exhibited by Rees Toler of Gallia County and the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef exhibited by Addie Wilson of Harrison County. Steve R. Rauch, Inc. purchased each for $55,000.

New to the Sale of Champions this year was the addition of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Turkey. Alivia Kinney of Logan County earned the honor, with her turkey selling for $15,000 to Mark and Megan Kvamme and family.… Continue reading

Grand Champion Market Beef

The Grand Champion Market Beef was exhibited by Rees Toler, Gallia County, and purchased by Steve R. Rauch, Inc. for $55,000.

Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef was exhibited by Addie Wilson, Harrison County, and purchased by Steve R. Rauch, Inc for $55,000.

Grand Champion Market Barrow

The Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Parker Elchinger, Henry County, and purchased by Bob Evans Farms, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for $50,000.

Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Victoria Gossard, Allen County, and purchased by The Kroger Company, A.G. Boogher and Son, Schmidts Sausage Haus, Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, All American Quarter Horse Congress, Expo Services, and OKI for $30,000.

Grand Champion Market Lamb

The Grand Champion Market Lamb was exhibited by Carson Nahrup, Warren County, and purchased by Rebco Electric, Braman Technologies, Faith Driving School, Kroger and Joe Dirt Company for $31,000.… Continue reading

Goat Outstanding Marketing Exhibitors
2026 Outstanding Market Goat Exhibitors: 1^st place – Lola Roberts, Marion County; 2^nd place – Colleen Holbrook, Adams County; 3^rd place – Chloe Dickey, Union County; 4th place – Nicholas Sword, Lorain County; 5th place – Chloe King, Seneca County; 6th place – Morgan Bockmore, Lorain County; 7th place –Taylor Workman, Clark County; 8th place –McKenna Kimpel, Defiance County; 9th place – Brade Wright, Perry County; 10th place – Jack Burke, Pickaway County.

Barrow Outstanding Marketing Exhibitors
2026 Outstanding Market Barrow Exhibitors: 1^st place – Parker Elchinger, Henry County; 2^nd place – Ava Genter, Fulton County; 3^rd place – Alex Genter, Fulton County; 4th place – Owen Russell, Pickaway County; 5th place – Claire Lampe, Wood County; 6th place – Landen Russell, Pickaway County; 7th place – Kinsley Swanson, Ashland County; 8th place – Rhylee Eichhorn, Miami  County; 9th place – Austin Handwork, Mahoning  County; 10th place –  Kenna Seaburn, Madison  County.… Continue reading

Judge: Dr. Jeff Ripley, Texas

Grand Champion: Briley Ashcraft, Athens County

Reserve Champion: Jada Shroyer, Logan County

3rd Overall: Maya McCoy, Fayette County

4th Overall: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County, Heavyweight

5th Overall: Gabrielle McDade, Butler County

6th Overall: Braxton Method, Auglaize County

7th Overall: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County

8th Overall: Anara Shroyer, Logan County

9th Overall: Braxton Method, Auglaize County

10th Overall: Lola Roberts, Marion County

Light Weight Division:
Champion: Braxton Method, Auglaize County
Reserve: Anara Shroyer, Logan County
3rd Overall: Lola Roberts, Marion County
4th Overall: Gabrielle McDade, Butler County
5th Overall: Maya McCoy, Fayette County

Middle Weight Division:
Champion: Maya McCoy, Fayette County
Reserve: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County
3rd Overall: Gabrielle McDade, Butler County
4th Overall: Braxton Method, Auglaize County
5th Overall: Hayden Bryant, Ashland County

Heavy Weight Division
Champion: Briley Ashcraft, Athens County
Reserve: Jada Shroyer, Logan County
3rd Overall: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County
4th Overall: Addilyn Bryant, Ashland County
5th Overall: Braelyn Miller, Marion County… Continue reading

Judge: Jirl Buck, Oklahoma

3rd Overall: Kate Liggett, Tuscarawas County. Maine-Anjou

4th Overall: Brayden McConnell, Jefferson County. Division IV Crossbred.

5th Overall: Ruger White, Ashland County. Division III Crossbred.

6th Overall: Weston Grauer, Richland County. Division III Crossbred.

7th Overall: Luke Fulton, Miami County. Market Heifer

8th Overall: Micah Kohen, Mercer County. Division II Crossbred.

9th Overall: Colby Hoffman, Union County. Chianina.

10th Overall: Olivia Jones, Allen County, Chianina

Angus:
Champion: Natalie Williams, Union County
Reserve: Griffin Gahler, Ottawa County

Charolais:
Champion: Taylor Wadsworth, Portage County
Reserve: Cody Landin, Putnam County

Chianina:
Champion: Colby Hoffman, Union County
Reserve: Olivia Jones, Allen County

Hereford:
Champion: Samantha Haley, Wayne County
Reserve: Hallie Clem, Clark County

Maine-Anjou:
Champion: Kate Liggett, Tuscarawas County
Reserve: Tyler Neill, Huron County

Shorthorn:
Champion: Allison Meggitt, Erie County
Reserve: Beau Langenderfer, Fulton County

ShorthornPlus:
Champion: Jozie Beiser, Preble County
Reserve: Ella Grimwood, Ashland County

Simmental:
Champion: Hudson Miller, Portage County
Reserve: Reese McClure, Marion County

AOB:
Champion: Addison Burnett, Geauga County
Reserve: Kaylynn Cutter, Wayne County

Market Heifer:
Champion: Luke Fulton, Miami County
Reserve: Paisley Allen, Clark County

Division I Crossbred:
Champion: Quinn Billenstein, Hardin County
Reserve: Karissa Treadway, Warren County

Division II Crossbred:
Champion: Addie Wilson, Harrison County
Reserve: Micah Kohnen, Mercer County

Division III Crossbred:
Champion: Ruger White, Ashland County
Reserve: Weston Grauer, Richland County

Division IV Crossbred:
Champion: Rees Toler, Galia County
Reserve: Brayden McConnell, Jefferson County

Division V Crossbred:
Champion: Wyatt Wolfer, Clermont County
Reserve: Bryson Jones, Allen County… Continue reading

Judges: Jarrett Davis from Shawnee, Oklahoma and Blake Goss from Leedey, Oklahoma

Grand Champion: Parker Elchinger, Henry County (Light Cross)

Reserve Champion: Victoria Gossard, Allen County (Berkshire)

3rd Overall: Kinsley Swanson, ashland County (Dark Cross)

4th Overall: Owen Russel, Pickaway County (Light Cross)

5th Overall: Hanna Wells, Preble County (Dark Cross)

6th Overall: Miley Caldwell, Highland County (Yorkshire)

7th Overall: Chloe Roberta, Fairfield County (Yorkshire)

8th Overall: Alec Genter, Fulton County (Tamworth)

9th Overall: Kristine Baldwin, Highland County (Spot)

10th Overall: Paisley Tindle, Clermont County (Spot)

BREED CHAMPIONS

BERKSHIRE

Grand: Victoria Gossard (Allen)

Reserve: Harper Saunders (Gallia)

CHESTER

Grand: Edward Deloy (Shelby)

Reserve: Brodie Wheeler (Coshocton)

DUROC

Grand: Kylee Barote (Pickaway)

Reserve: Janelle Sebring (Darke)

HAMPSHIRE

Grand: Cooper Stambaugh (Fulton)

Reserve: Claire Winkle (Highland)

HEREFORD

Grand: Janelle Sebring (Darke)

Reserve: Carly Niekamp (Mecer)

LANDRACE

Grand: Connor Bowen (Clark)

Reserve: Kali Kimbler (Madison)

POLAND

Grand: Kendall Niekamp (Mecer)

Reserve: Oakley Engle (Highland)

SPOT

Grand: Kristine Baldwin (Highland)

Reserve: Paisley Tindle (Clermont)

TAMWORTH

Grand: Alec Genter (Fulton)

Reserve: Victoria Gossard (Allen)

YORKSHIRE

Grand: Miley Caldwell (Highland)

Reserve: Chloe Roberts (Fairfield)

DARK CROSS

Grand: Kinsley Swanson (Ashland)

Reserve: Hanna Wells (Preble)

LIGHT CROSS

Grand: Parker Elchinger (Henry)

Reserve: Owen Russell (Pickaway)… Continue reading

Judge Jacob Bates, Charleston, Arkansas

Market Turkeys

Class 1:
1. Alexandra Kinney, Logan County
2. Jack Patterson, Geauga County

Class 2:
1. Camden Bennett, Fayette County
2. Anna Langley, Fayette County

Class 3:
1. Luke Bennett, Fayette County
2. Luke Kraft, Warren County

Class 4:
1. Alivia Kinney, Logan County
2. Campbell Reese, Geauga County

Meat Chickens

Class 1:
1. Alexandra Kinney, Logan County
2. Allia Hester, Clinton County

Class 2:
1.… Continue reading

Courage, confidence, and compassion took center stage at the Ohio State Fair as 13 young people with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities experienced the pride of exhibiting livestock during the Ohio Pork Council’s annual Breaking Boundaries Pig Show held July 29.

Each participant entered the show ring alongside an experienced youth exhibitor from the Ohio Pork Council’s OH-PIGS program. Serving as mentors, the youth shared their pigs, livestock knowledge, and encouragement while helping participants learn how to guide and present an animal before a crowd.

Rather than leading the experience, mentors adapted to each participant’s needs, providing support while allowing exhibitors to take the lead in the ring.

“Every participant who stepped into that ring showed tremendous courage,” said Kelly Morgan, OH-PIGS director. “Our mentors understood their job was not to take over. It was to stand beside each participant, listen, adapt, and give them the confidence to show the pig for themselves.… Continue reading

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) today celebrated the inaugural Buckeye Baa-ttle at the Ohio State Fair, where legislators, cabinet members, and media representatives joined Ohio’s talented 4-H and FFA sheep exhibitors in the show ring.

Following an evening of friendly competition, State Representative Haraz Ghanbari (R‑Perrysburg)was named Grand Champion, while Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, earned Reserve Champion.

“Our 4-H and FFA exhibitors are some of the best ambassadors for Ohio agriculture,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “The Buckeye Baa-ttle gave them the opportunity to share their knowledge with Ohio’s leaders while showcasing the dedication, responsibility and hard work that goes into raising livestock. That’s what the Ohio State Fair is all about.”

The Buckeye Baa-ttle paired each participant with an experienced 4-H or FFA sheep exhibitor who served as their coach and mentor throughout the competition. Together, they demonstrated the teamwork, communication, and animal care skills required to successfully exhibit livestock.… Continue reading

Grand Champion and Reserve Champion cheesemakers were selected on Thursday, July 23 at the 2026 Ohio State Fair Cheese Contest held at Miceli Dairy Products in Cleveland.

The American Dairy Association Mideast, which coordinated the event, is pleased to announce that Pearl Valley Cheese of Fresno received the Grand Champion award for its Swiss cheese. As is tradition in the Ohio State Fair Cheese Contest, the Grand Champion Cheese is selected from entries in the Swiss class. Following that selection, judges choose the Reserve Champion Cheese from among the first-place winners in all contest classes, recognizing the competition’s overall outstanding cheese. This year’s Reserve Champion award was presented to Urban Stead Cheese of Cincinnati for its Nati Gouda.

Winners of the contest by classification are as follows:

Swiss Class:

First Place      Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno

Second Place Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno

Other Swiss Class:

First Place      Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno – Baby Swiss

Second Place Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno – Lacey Baby 

Mild Cheddar Class:

First Place      Snowville Creamery, Pomeroy 

Second Place Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield

Third Place      Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati

Aged Cheddar Class:

First Place      Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati

Second Place Middlefield Original Cheese, Middlefield

Surface Mold Bloomy Class:           

First Place      Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati – Misty River Camembert

Second Place Black Radish Creamery, Granville – Bankston 

Third Place      Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland – Lapworth Peppercorn

Bacteria Ripened Class:

First Place      Black Radish Creamery, Granville – Pious

Second Place Black Radish Creamery, Granville – Raclette

Third Place      Marchant Manor Cheese, Cleveland – High Heaven Triple Cream

Spreadable Class:

First Place      Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati – Pineapple Jalapeno Quark

Second Place Miceli Dairy Products, Cleveland – Impasta

Third PlaceBlue Jacket Dairy, Bellefontaine – Quark

Cheese Curd Class:

First Place      Blue Jacket Dairy, Bellefontaine – Garlic

Second Place Urban Stead Cheese, Cincinnati – Plain

Third Place      Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Mixed

Open Class – Traditional:

First Place      Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Co-Jack

Second Place Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno – Colby

Third Place      Pearl Valley Cheese, Fresno – Marbled

Open Class – Flavored:

First Place      Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Colby Bacon

Second Place Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Garlic Dill

Third Place      Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Garlic Chive

Open Class – Spicy:

First Place      Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Horseradish

Second Place Tri-State Cheese, Hicksville – Pepper Jack

Third Place      Biery Cheese Co.,… Continue reading