Fun Things to Do at the Delaware County Fair
One minute you’re eating a funnel cake, the next you’re watching cows dressed in costumes! That’s just part of what makes the Delaware County Fair is so much fun!
Every September, the Delaware County Fair brings thousands of visitors to Delaware, Ohio, for a week filled with fair food, rides, animals, harness racing, and plenty of family fun. One of the biggest highlights is the Little Brown Jug, held on Thursday, which draws some of the largest crowds of the week.
But there’s so much more to the Delaware County Fair than the Little Brown Jug! That’s why I’ve rounded up some of the best things to see and do around the fairgrounds so you don’t miss out on any fun.
So come hungry, wear your comfy shoes, and get ready to explore!
Walk Through the Animal Barns
One of my favorite things to do at the fair is walk through the barns and see all the animals. You’ll find everything from cows and pigs to goats, rabbits, poultry, donkeys, horses, alpacas and llamas throughout fair week.
There are also livestock shows, showmanship competitions and some fun events you don’t see everyday such as animal costume contests. If you’re visiting with kids, definitely make time for the barns but keep in mind that most of the animals are gone after Wednesday.
Eat You Way Through the Fair
Let’s be honest! You can’t go to the fair without getting some fair food. Throughout the food midway and around the fair are lots of food options from fried cheese, fried Oreos, bologna sandwiches, stuffed pretzels and more.
My advice is to grab a few different things and share with your group so you can try more than one. And don’t forget dessert! Funnel cakes have stepped up with new flavors and options.
Ride the Carnival Rides
If you have kids or you’re still a kid at heart, head over to the midway for carnival rides and games.
For 2026, rides are scheduled to operate 11 AM – 10 PM daily, weather permitting. All-day ride wristbands are listed at $22, and individual ride tickets are also available.
The rides are especially fun in the evening when everything lights up.
Watch the Little Brown Jug
You can’t talk about the Delaware County Fair without talking about the Little Brown Jug.
The famous Little Brown Jug harness race is one of the busiest days of the fair and also the most expensive, with admission at $20. Jug Day tends to have more of an adult, social atmosphere compared to other days.
If you’d rather experience harness racing with smaller crowds, there are races throughout the week leading up to the Little Brown Jug. The midway also tends to be quieter on Jug Day, as most visitors are there for the racing. The event is such a big tradition in Delaware that local schools close for the day.
Check Out the Motorsports Events
There are several motorsports event happening everyday during the fair except on Jug Day. These events include tractor pulls, rough truck, demolition derby and more.
Times vary by the event and weather permitting so be sure to check the schedule before heading out.
Find the Quirky Fair Events
Some of the best parts of a county fair are the things you wouldn’t necessarily expect.
Don’t just look for the big headline events. Browse the daily schedule because you’ll find smaller activities happening throughout the grounds.
For 2026, that includes things such as animal costume contests, mystical creatures, wood carving show, dog shows, magic show, wiener dog race, and more.
Support the Junior Fair
The Junior Fair is a huge part of the Delaware County Fair.
Throughout the week, local youth show the animals and projects they’ve spent months working on.
This includes sales of poultry, beef, dairy products and more. Even if you’re not buying, take some time to watch a show and check out their projects they’ve put so much work into.
This year seemed to be a Dolly Parton theme as I found so many fun projects dedicated to the late Dolly Parton.
Go to the Fair at Night
If you’ve only experienced the Delaware County Fair during the daytime, try staying till evening.
The midway lights come one, the rides are glowing, motorsports events are happening and the entire fair has a different feel.
There’s so much to see and do at the Delaware County Fair that it’s worth planning ahead so you can get the most out of your visit. Before you head out, check out my Know Before You Go Guide for everything you need to know about admission, parking, hours, schedules and more.
