Delaware County Fair 2026: Know Before You Go
The Delaware County Fair is back September 19-26,2026 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio.
Whether you’re looking forward to fair food, midway rides, animals, 4-H competitions, motorsports or harness racing, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your day.
And of course one of the biggest events of the entire week is the 81st Little Brown Jug on Thursday, September 24.
If you’re planning a trip to the Delaware County Fair this year, here’s everything you need to know before you go, including admission prices, hours, parking, rides, and some of the biggest events on the schedule.
When is the Delaware County Fair 2026?
The 2026 Delaware County Fair runs September 19-26, 2026 and located at:
Delaware County Fairgrounds
236 Pennsylvania Avenue
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Delaware County Fair Hours
The fairgrounds open early, so you can easily make an entire day out of your visit.
Fair gates: 8 AM – 9 PM daily
Buildings: 10 AM – 9 PM daily
Midway: 11 AM – 10 PM daily, weather permitting
Keep in mind that individual shows, competitions, races and special events have their own start times.
Tip: Check the schedule before you go. There are different events daily and you’ll have a much better experience if you plan your visit around the things you want to see.
How Much is Admission to the Delaware County Fair?
General admission for the 2026 Delaware County Fair is:
Daily admission: $8
Children under 8: FREE
Weekly pass: $50
There are also a few special admission days during fair week.
Senior Day – Tuesday, September 22: Seniors ages 55+ receive free admission with ID.
Jug Day – Thursday, September 24: Admission for adults 18+ is $20 from 8 AM – 5 PM. Regular general admission resumes after 5 PM.
Military Day – Friday, September 25: Military members and veterans receive free admission with ID.
Is Parking Free at the Delaware County Fair?
Yes! General fair parking is FREE and is included with fair admission.
That includes regular fair days as well as Little Brown Jug on Thursday, September 24. There are separate paid parking options and permits for certain areas, including designated Little Brown Jug parking.
How Much are Rides at the Delaware County Fair?
If the midway is at the top of your kids list, there are a few options for rides.
1 ride ticket: $2
20 ride tickets: $30
All-day ride wristband: $22
Most kiddie rides require two tickets, while most major rides require three tickets. The all-day wristband is valid from 11 AM – 10 PM, making it a good option if you plan on spending a lot of time riding rides. Rides are weather permitting.
What is There to Do at the Delaware County Fair?
There are plenty of things happening throughout the fairgrounds for all ages. Each day is a different schedule of events so be sure to plan accordingly so you don’t miss what you want to see.
You can find the following at the fair:
- Fair food
- Midway rides
- Games
- Animal barns
- 4-H and FFA projects
- Livestock shows
- Horse shows
- Magic shows
- Animal costume contests
- Agricultural exhibits
- Mystical creatures
- Harness racing
- Live bands
- Motorsports
- Demolition Derby
- Wiener dog racing
- Junior fair events
- Special events and competitions
- The Little Brown Jug
Delaware County Fair 2026 Motorsports Schedule
One of the reasons to check the schedule before you go is for the motorsports lineup. There is something happening almost every night.
Saturday, September 19 CANCELLED
Hardin Truck Pulls – 5 PM
Sunday, September 20 CANCELLED
Antique Tractor Pulls – 5 PM
Monday, September 21 CANCELLED
Motocross – 7 PM
Tuesday, September 22
Rough Truck – 7 PM
Gate open at 4 PM
Wednesday, September 23
Wiener Dog Racing – 7 PM *NEW this year
Thursday, September 24
No motorsports event, it’s Little Brown Jug Day!
Friday, September 25
Figure 8 Races with Trailers – 7 PM
Gates open at 4 PM
Saturday, September 26
Demolition Derby – 5 PM
Gates open at 2 PM
Don’t Miss the Animal Barns
One of my favorite parts of the county fair is walking through the animal barns. You’ll find plenty of animals to see and pet from rabbits, donkeys, horses, goats and more plus Junior Fair activities.
There are also shows and competitions such as the dog showmanship, horse and pony competition, cow costume contest, Alpaca costume contest (this one I’m excited to see) and so much more.
Junior Fair Sales
The sales take place on September 22nd and September 23rd at 5 PM. Tuesday’s sale includes poultry, beef, baked goods, dairy products and rabbits. Wednesday’s sale includes lambs, pigs and goats.
The sales helps support local youth who have spent months raising the animals and preparing for the fair.
Harness Racing
This is a huge part of the Delaware County Fair tradition. Live racing is scheduled from Sunday, September 20th through Thursday, September 24th culminating with the Little Brown Jug.
Even if you’ve never watched harness racing before, this is one of those Delaware traditions that’s worth experiencing at least once.
Little Brown Jug Day
This is the biggest day of the Delaware County Fair and the busiest. The 81st Little Brown Jug takes place on the all-weather synthetic half-mile track and draws racing fans from Delaware to well beyond Ohio.
Tip: Arrive early on Little Brown Jug day, especially if you want a good parking spot or reserved seating. Racing begins at noon, but the fairgrounds get busy quickly.
What is There to Eat at the Delaware County Fair?
The food is half the reason to go to the fair and there is plenty of food trucks to choose from sweet, savory and fried foods. Food vendors from year to year but this years options include:
- Corn dogs
- Sausages
- Gyros
- French fries
- Fried cheese
- Walking tacos
- Stromboli
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Pork tenderloin sandwiches
- Pizza
- Funnel cakes
- Elephant ears
- Bologna sandwiches
- Fried buckeyes
- Cotton candy
- Ice cream
- Kettle corn
- Donuts
- Fried Oreos
Tip: If you’re looking for recommendations on what to eat some of my favorites include Smash Shack, especially their tallow burgers and fries (try the Chimney Sauce – it’s amazing). I also recommend the fries with vinegar, funnel cakes, Stromboli, deep-fried cheese, and Bologna Express, which has some of the best bologna sandwiches.
Tips for Visiting the Delaware County Fair
Check the schedule before you go. This is my biggest tip! Different events happen at different times throughout the entire week.
Don’t skip the barns. There’s much more to the fair than rides and food, the animal barns let’s you explore different animals. Keep in mind that the animals packs up on Wednesday so be sure to visit before then to see them.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do plenty of walking and the fairgrounds include uneven payment, grass, gravel and muddy areas depending on the weather.
Dress in layers. September weather in Ohio can change quickly. Mornings are cooler while afternoons can be warm and then chilly again in the evenings.
Check the weather before leaving home. Rain can affect rides, outdoor shows and motorsports.
Bring cash, but don’t rely on cash alone. Some vendors may accept cards, while others may accept cash.
Come hungry. It’s a county fair and fair food is part of the experience!
Consider the ride wristband. If your kids want to spend hours on the midway, compare the $22 all-day wristband with buying individual tickets.
Take a photo of your parking area. Fairgrounds can look different at the end of a long day. Take a quick photo of a nearby sign, entrance or landmark with your vehicle to help you remember.
Plan ahead for Jug Day. Thursday is different from a typical fair day, with special admission and reserved seating for the Little Brown Jug.
Expect noise at motorsports events. Truck pulls, motocross, figure 8 races and the demolition derby will be loud. Ear protection may be helpful for young children or anyone sensitive to loud sounds.
Give yourself enough time. You can walk the grounds quickly, but you’d miss much of what makes the fair fun like the shows, competitions, racings, and scheduled events.
For the latest schedule, admission information and any last-minute changes, visit the official Delaware County Fair website.
