Good weather, record attendance helps this year's Ohio State Fair turns profit of $400,000

11/15/2013

COLUMBUS — Nice weather and record attendance helped this year’s Ohio State Fair turn a profit of $400,000.

Fair records show that higher revenue from ticket sales, entry fees and attractions more than made up for lower revenue from sponsorships and entertainment. Total fair revenue through October was $8 million.

It’s the sixth straight year the fair has made money, with profits ranging from $200,000 to $400,000.

Thanks to the sunny skies, the fair had an attendance of 903,824, the most ever during a 12-day run.

Officials say profitable years make up for the years when attendance isn’t so good.

Finance director Doug Smalley tells The Columbus Dispatch that the fair is in “an excellent cash position” and in good shape heading into next year’s event, which will be July 23-Aug.3.