The Ohio State Fair is cranking up the carnival eats for 2026, rolling out a new wave of novelty snacks and regional twists, from pork belly served in a cone to Biscoff cookie-butter cheesecake on a stick and Spam musubi. The fair returns to the Ohio Expo Center for a 12-day run of rides, exhibits and deep-fried creativity. This year’s food-focused additions also tie into a brand-new Ohio Showcase Building that brings a climate-controlled food hall to the grounds. The fair runs July 29 through Aug. 9.
New fair-food highlights
Among the standout newcomers are Biscoff Cookie Butter Frozen Cheesecake from Polar Bear Concessions, pork belly in a cone from Mr. Pork Belly, Spam musubi by Kama’aina Grill and dill pickle cashews from The Nut Shack. Other headline entries include nitro frozen lemonade, a churro Korean corn dog and a root-beer cream puff from long-running vendor Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. Those and dozens more new concessions are detailed in a round-up by Columbus Underground.
Ohio Showcase Building debuts a food hall
The newly completed Ohio Showcase Building will host an indoor food hall featuring a slate of Ohio-based restaurants, including Marlow’s Cheesesteaks, Daisy’s Fish Shack, Glass City Pizzeria, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, The Cheesecake Girl and Sweet Carrot, with air-conditioned seating and extended hours. Local coverage notes the building also houses a 360-degree film and interactive exhibits that celebrate state makers. “There is so much great food in Ohio,” Gov. Mike DeWine said about the concept, according to WHIO.
How to sample without blowing the budget
The fair is bringing back $3 Thursday, this year on July 30 and Aug. 6, when participating vendors will offer smaller portions of signature items for $3, per the Ohio State Fair food page. The Showcase Building food hall will be open daily during the fair, and maps and a list of participating $3 items will be posted on the fair's website ahead of opening day. Expect long lines at popular stalls, plan for mid-afternoon or early evening visits if you want to dodge the biggest crowds, and download the fair app for maps and updates.
Whether you are chasing the weirdest snack on the midway or sticking to the classics, this year’s fair menu leans into both novelty and hometown cooks. For a full list of new items and where to find them on the grounds, see Columbus Underground.
