It will be hot. I’ve made my peace with that. So, once we prepare ourselves for the heat and humidity of July, what else can we look forward to at the Logan County Fair 2026?

Things get rolling on Sunday, July 12, with the opening ceremony at noon, followed immediately by the royalty contest. Both will take place in the show barn.

Of course, the fair will offer all the favorites—funnel cakes and corndogs and lemon shakeups and other items with a calorie count you’re better off not knowing.

Cows, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits and goats fill the barns with sounds—and smells—that are as much a part of the fair as the Ferris wheel and carnival games.

And then there’s the Grandstand.

Evening Entertainment

The Logan County Fair has a nightly schedule of good times at the Grandstand. Each event is free with the price of admission to the fair.

Why not get things rolling with a little vehicular destruction? The demolition derby at 6 p.m. brings all the classic smash and crash we’ve come to expect from the no-holds-barred madness. Derby Dog

We’ll have harness racing on Monday and Tuesday, a family favorite that had been canceled for years before being reinstated in 2025 through the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association. Both evenings of competition begin at 6 p.m..

Each night will offer four races: two- and three-year-old fillies on Monday while Tuesday night goes to two- and three-year-old colts.

In addition, each age range is divided into two categories: pacers, where the horses' legs move from side to side, and trotters, where the legs move diagonally — right front/left back then left front/right back.

On Wednesday, the Livestock Scramble is back at 7 p.m. This madcap event gives kids the chance to find out how quick they are with three age-based challenges. First, the youngest will chase after chickens, followed by the next group running after sheep, and ending with the oldest kids hoping to catch calves.

“Fast feet, quick moves, big laughs and plenty of ‘almost had it!’ moments make this an event you won’t want to miss,” the fair announced. “You never know what’s going to happen once they enter the arena!”

Of course, no fair would be complete without a rodeo. The Mutton Bustin’ rodeo, which sees the younger cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep, begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Then the bulls start bucking at 7 p.m. It doesn’t hurt to get there early as this event always packs the stands.

Presented by PBR Rodeo, the night features fan favorites Dave “Showtime” Meyer and Jacob, Don’t Tell the Bishop—the dancing Amish man. This year promises to bring all the classic adventure and laughs you want in a rodeo.

Friday’s event will really stir up the dust at the Grandstand. The Barbanger at the Fair—brought to us by Rutherford Racing—gets moving at 4 p.m., with sign-ins at 3 p.m. for those wanting to participate. (Cost is $25 per class entry.) With fast motorcycles and “roaring quads,” Rutherford promises some of the “best racing around.”

The week’s entertainment will conclude on Saturday with the return of the OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pull at 6:30 p.m. This action-packed motorsport show will showcase five vehicle classes: limited pro diesel, super-modified 4WD and 2WD trucks along with light-limited pro stock and pro stock tractors.

Junior Fair

This year’s Junior Fair (along with the overall theme for the entire exhibition) salutes America’s 250th anniversary with the theme “Stars, Stripes and Fair Nights.” One highlight is Stars of the Show Ring. This special event, held on Saturday, July 18, at 12:30 p.m., gives people with disabilities from second grade through adulthood a chance to be a star at the fair.

They’re also hosting Stock the Trailer, a contest to benefit junior fairs, local food banks and their communities. Participants will donate nonperishable food and water to Logan County food banks while competing against other county fairs. The junior fair board in Ohio that brings in the most pounds will win $5,000. This food-raiser is presented by Farm Credit Mid-America.

Other Highlights:

• For those wanting a cold, adults-only drink, Wrock Bottom Bar is taking over the Beer Garden. Open daily from 3 to 10 p.m. and located right next to the Grandstand, the bar will offer the “coldest beer in town” and “a front-row seat to the best people watching!”

• And that’s not all. 
“We have a lot of new vendors, merchants and concessions, so this won’t be your same-old, same-old Logan County Fair this year,” said Kelsey Cummins, who currently serves as secretary to the board. 
From a soft pretzel trailer to having Axe Quacks on the grounds throughout the week to a refresher drink stand that offers lemonade with energy, attendees will have plenty of new options to check out. 
But don’t worry. Local favorites like Pop’s Pizza, the Taco Truck and Flipped or Dipped will be there too, ready to feed the hungry crowds.

• Special themed days will be available as well throughout the fair, offering special admission prices and activities to support various groups.

Sunday is Veterans Day and veterans are offered free admission. A veterans lunch is served starting at 11:30 a.m at the Logan County Friendly Senior Center, 934 S. Main St., with tickets to be picked up ahead of time at the Logan County Veterans Service Office.

Tuesday is Senior Citizens Day, with seniors admitted free of charge. A Senior Day lunch is offered at the pavilion beginning at 11 a.m.., provided by Logan Acres Senior Community. The Mad River Dulcimers also perform at 11:30 during the lunch. During the afternoon, Senior Day Bingo begins at 2 p.m., hosted by Community Health & Wellness Partners and an ice cream social at 4 p.m., provided by Otterbein Senior Living – Green Hills, all at the pavilion.

On Kids Day Thursday, children under age 16 are admitted free with a paying adult until 4 p.m.

The Logan County Fair runs Sunday, July 12, through Saturday, July 18, with gates open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults 16 and over, $5 for children ages 8 to 15 and free for those 7 and under. A season pass is $35, and a weekly parking permit is $10.

Just want lunch at one of the many concession stands? Enter through the Lake Avenue gate between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for an hour pass toward all the yummy treats the fair has to offer.

Also, an all-day ride pass is $20, regular parking is $2 and a membership ticket is $5.

For more information, call 937-599-4178 or email [email protected].