34 Vintage State Fair Photos From the ’90s

Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor

Jul 1, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

How wild is it that up until very recently state fairs provided a source of entertainment that was simply unavailable otherwise. They brought together the very best theme park rides, musicians, competitive animal breeders and much more, to create a spectacle for local communities the likes which has only been matched by events such as Coachella, Burning Man and whenever Taylor Swift rolls into town.

And now that they might have lost some of their appeal thanks to the myriad of events making their way through the country, as well as the 'wonder' of social media which has set our expectations at ridiculous heights. It has come time for us, the last generation to truly appreciate these spectacles, to take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the seminal moments we used to love at our local state fair. So settle in, grab some candy corn or a corn dog to complete the experience and dive into this list of vintage state fair photos from the 90s

01
"George Hamrick of Circleville judges grain sorghum at the Ohio State Fair in 1995."

via The Colombus Dispatch
02
"Jack and Donna Moore stand with one of their llamas at the Ohio State Fair Friday in 1995."

via The Colombus Dispatch
You know, it still somewhat boggles the mind to find alpacas at such an event. Usually our first thoughts regarding state fairs tend to be the rides and the corn dogs that ultimately get regurgitated on those rides. You might consider thinking about a prize pig or cow, but an alpaca competition feels like a completely different country.
03
"Hats for protection from the sun and a ride in a wagon are the best ways to be comfortable on a hot day at the Ohio State Fair in 1995."

via The Colombus Dispatch
04
"Waiting his turn in Western Reining competition at the Ohio State Junior Fair in 1995, Robbie Parker, 14, sought out a lone tree for shade against the hot afternoon sun. Parker is from Antwerp, OH."

via The Colombus Dispatch
05
"Adam Burris, 5, looks every bit the reluctant groom during competition at the Guys and Gals Sheep Lead Contest at the Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
You’ve heard of child beauty pageants, no get ready for child bride and groom parades with farm animals as the child’s partner. This kiddo looks less than pleased that his wife just defalcated in front of the audience. Though it might be because he needs to go to and does not know if the same rules apply to him as the sheep he is holding.
06
"Seth Reay, 12, of London Ohio takes advantage of a commercial display of water misting fans to cool off while taking in the sights at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

via The Colombus Dispatch
07
"Lori Myers seems surprised at her own abilities as she blows this bubble at the Bubble Tape Bubble Gum Blowing Contest at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

via The Colombus Dispatch
08
"Toni Stephenson, 10, a member of the Blue Jays 4-H Club of Columbus' southwest side, milks her Nubian goat, "Diamond." Toni and Diamond won the overall senior milker category for goats at the Franklin County Fair on Thursday, July 18"

via The Colombus Dispatch
09
"A young boy uses his hands to cross a swinging bridge on one of the amusement attractions at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

via The Colombus Dispatch
10
"Clay Wood, 3, demonstrates for a photographer his rope twirling ability as his dad, Mark, watches during the Ohio State Fair in 1997."

via The Colombus Dispatch
11
"Getting her display ready, Virginia Clark climbed on the display shelves to straighten some items in the Agricultural/Horticulture Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997. Clark is from the Foothills Farms in Newark, Ohio."

via The Colombus Dispatch
12
"Pat Sajak emcees the Wheel of Fortune game being taped in the Celeste Center at the Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
13
"Vanna White and Pat Sajak talk with the crowd at the Celeste Center before the taping of The Wheel of Fortune at the Ohio State Fair in 1997."

via The Colombus Dispatch
14
"Terri Workman, left, and Tom Stewart pour a copper pot full of fudge onto a marble slate for cutting at Diane's Fudge in the Buckeye Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997."

via The Colombus Dispatch
15
"Niesha Eaton, 11, of Chesapeake Va., attempts to climb a twisting rope ladder at a game booth at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
16
"David Turner, 13, in white car, and Randall Adkins, 14, both of Newark, Ohio, race around the track in go-carts Sunday at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
17
"Jordan Marx, 3, of Botkins, Oh., waves to the crowd as his brother Adam Marx shows his reserve grand champion market lamb Monday night at the 1997 Ohio State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions."

via The Colombus Dispatch
18
"Mabel and Lester Lewis from Rhode Island enjoy fair watermelon while chatting with Charles McCloskey, left, from W. Va. who was selling shoestrings that tie themselves at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
19
"Khris Allen, who is a trainer for the tigers, lays down and chats to one of the Bengal Tigers in the Big Cat Show at the 1999 Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
20
"Confetti fills the air as Governor George Voinovich cuts the ribbon to officially open the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

via The Colombus Dispatch
21
"Former Ohio Governor James Rhodes, left, receives a ball cap from current Ohio Governor Bob Taft, after Taft named Rhodes 1999 Ohio State Fair Ambassador during opening ceremonies."

via The Colombus Dispatch
22
"One of the many tables filled with all types of vegetables on display at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

via The Colombus Dispatch
23
"Sarah Shannon of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, washes down one of her dad's cows at the dairy barn at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

via The Colombus Dispatch
24
"Steveana Coronas, left, introduces one of the canine stars from the Poodles of Paradise dog act, part of the Big Top Circus, at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

via The Colombus Dispatch
25
"Riders of a swing ride take to the sky soon after entering the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

via The Colombus Dispatch
26
"Debbie Shellabarger gives nine-month-old llama Black Diamond a kiss as she and her husband pack up their animals and kids and prepare to return home to Xenia, Ohio, after competing in the 1999 Ohio State Fair"

via The Colombus Dispatch
27
"1999 Ohio State Fair goers enjoy an evening ride on the Sky Gliders and trips down the Sky Slide against a sunset sky, ending a day at the 1999 Ohio State Fair."

via The Colombus Dispatch
28

via The Colombus Dispatch
29

via The Colombus Dispatch
30

via The Colombus Dispatch
31

via The Colombus Dispatch
32

via The Colombus Dispatch
33

via The Colombus Dispatch
34

via The Colombus Dispatch

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34 Vintage State Fair Photos From the ’90s

"George Hamrick of Circleville judges grain sorghum at the Ohio State Fair in 1995."

"Jack and Donna Moore stand with one of their llamas at the Ohio State Fair Friday in 1995."

"Hats for protection from the sun and a ride in a wagon are the best ways to be comfortable on a hot day at the Ohio State Fair in 1995."

"Waiting his turn in Western Reining competition at the Ohio State Junior Fair in 1995, Robbie Parker, 14, sought out a lone tree for shade against the hot afternoon sun. Parker is from Antwerp, OH."

"Adam Burris, 5, looks every bit the reluctant groom during competition at the Guys and Gals Sheep Lead Contest at the Ohio State Fair."

"Seth Reay, 12, of London Ohio takes advantage of a commercial display of water misting fans to cool off while taking in the sights at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

"Lori Myers seems surprised at her own abilities as she blows this bubble at the Bubble Tape Bubble Gum Blowing Contest at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

"Toni Stephenson, 10, a member of the Blue Jays 4-H Club of Columbus' southwest side, milks her Nubian goat, "Diamond." Toni and Diamond won the overall senior milker category for goats at the Franklin County Fair on Thursday, July 18"

"A young boy uses his hands to cross a swinging bridge on one of the amusement attractions at the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

"Clay Wood, 3, demonstrates for a photographer his rope twirling ability as his dad, Mark, watches during the Ohio State Fair in 1997."

"Getting her display ready, Virginia Clark climbed on the display shelves to straighten some items in the Agricultural/Horticulture Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997. Clark is from the Foothills Farms in Newark, Ohio."

"Pat Sajak emcees the Wheel of Fortune game being taped in the Celeste Center at the Ohio State Fair."

"Vanna White and Pat Sajak talk with the crowd at the Celeste Center before the taping of The Wheel of Fortune at the Ohio State Fair in 1997."

"Terri Workman, left, and Tom Stewart pour a copper pot full of fudge onto a marble slate for cutting at Diane's Fudge in the Buckeye Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in 1997."

"Niesha Eaton, 11, of Chesapeake Va., attempts to climb a twisting rope ladder at a game booth at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

"David Turner, 13, in white car, and Randall Adkins, 14, both of Newark, Ohio, race around the track in go-carts Sunday at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

"Jordan Marx, 3, of Botkins, Oh., waves to the crowd as his brother Adam Marx shows his reserve grand champion market lamb Monday night at the 1997 Ohio State Fair Junior Livestock Sale of Champions."

"Mabel and Lester Lewis from Rhode Island enjoy fair watermelon while chatting with Charles McCloskey, left, from W. Va. who was selling shoestrings that tie themselves at the 1997 Ohio State Fair."

"Khris Allen, who is a trainer for the tigers, lays down and chats to one of the Bengal Tigers in the Big Cat Show at the 1999 Ohio State Fair."

"Confetti fills the air as Governor George Voinovich cuts the ribbon to officially open the Ohio State Fair in 1996."

"Former Ohio Governor James Rhodes, left, receives a ball cap from current Ohio Governor Bob Taft, after Taft named Rhodes 1999 Ohio State Fair Ambassador during opening ceremonies."

"One of the many tables filled with all types of vegetables on display at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

"Sarah Shannon of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, washes down one of her dad's cows at the dairy barn at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

"Steveana Coronas, left, introduces one of the canine stars from the Poodles of Paradise dog act, part of the Big Top Circus, at the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

"Riders of a swing ride take to the sky soon after entering the Ohio State Fair in 1999."

"Debbie Shellabarger gives nine-month-old llama Black Diamond a kiss as she and her husband pack up their animals and kids and prepare to return home to Xenia, Ohio, after competing in the 1999 Ohio State Fair"

"1999 Ohio State Fair goers enjoy an evening ride on the Sky Gliders and trips down the Sky Slide against a sunset sky, ending a day at the 1999 Ohio State Fair."

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