COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official dates for the 2021 fair season as the Governor is deciding whether he’ll sign or veto a bill that would prevent the state health department from canceling next year’s fairs.

The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2021 fair season on June 12, and the season will wrap up on October 16 with the Fairfield County Fair.

Also on the schedule are the Trumbull County Fair from July 13 to July 18; the Ohio State fair from July 28 to August 8; the Columbiana County fair from August 2 to August 8; and the Canfield Fair from September 1 to September 6.

Because of pandemic concerns, full-blown fairs were prohibited by an edict from state health officials this past summer.  Junior fairs involving 4H events were permitted under health precautions. However, rides, games, and grandstand events were banned.

The Ohio House and Senate have passed and sent to the governor’s desk Senate Bill 375, which would void the Director of Health’s July 30 order regarding county fairs for 2021.

"This legislation is necessary for the preservation of our county fairs, that provide so much for our communities," said bill co-sponsor Sen. Frank Hoagland. "It is essential that we reopen Ohio and allow local officials to make their own decisions based on the needs of their counties."

In the past, Governor Dewine has said he would oppose legislation restricting the state’s power to regulate events during health crises.  The governor has not indicated what he intends to do with Senate Bill 375.

With COVID-19 vaccinations underway in Ohio, state health officials have not weighed in on whether fairs would need to be prohibited again in the coming year.