Franklin County Fair

History:

2010 marks the 160th year of the Franklin County Agricultural Society. The Society was first organized in 1851 with the purpose of promoting and holding an agricultural fair to showcase agricultural and horticultural products and domestic and fine arts. With no land to hold a county fair, the FCAS was given approval to hold their fair on the State Fair Grounds.

Between the years of 1886 and 1910 the county fair was put on hold while a joint venture between Franklin, Delaware and Licking Counties, called the Tri-County Fair, was held in Llewellyn Park in Westerville.

The first official "Franklin County Fair" was held in August of 1910 at Columbus Driving Park race track. From 1912 to 1916 the fair was held in Grove City and then moved back to Columbus Driving Park in 1917. The first Franklin County Fair in Hilliard was held on land they leased in 1918. Finally, in 1946 the Franklin County Agricultural Society was financially able to purchase the land they had been leasing and call this site home!

In 1986 The Franklin County Agricultural Society doubled the size of the fairgrounds to its existing size today with the help of the Franklin County Commissioners. We are thankful for their support then and now. Today the fairgrounds can be rented and used year round by a variety of groups for their events. See "How Do I Rent It" tab for further information. The FCAS is continually working to improve the grounds and the fair.

For nearly a century Hilliard has been known as home to the Franklin County Fair. The Franklin County Agricultural Society and fairgrounds has watched as Hilliard has grown from a village and railroad hub of agricultural activity in the 1800's to official city status in 1960. Then to explosive residential growth in the 1980's and 1990's. The fairgrounds have provided valuable economic benefit to our city and area businesses by hosting the areas largest event, the Franklin County Fair, with over 45,000 guests attending in 2009. Today we are planning for the future by developing new goals and partnerships that will guide the next decade's growth. This society and these fairgrounds have stood the test of time and will continue to march on and remind us of an honorable past.

The Franklin County Fair and fairgrounds continues to be the gateway between the rich agricultural heritage of rural western Franklin County and the cities of Hilliard and greater Columbus.

For more than nine decades 4-H has also called the Franklin County Fair home.Today 4-H has over 6 million youth involved across America and in over 80 countires across the world, making it one of the largest youth development organizations in the world. 4-H is not just about farm animals and cooking and sewing anymore. It's about learning leadership skills, citizenship and life skills. Whether it's a project in Aerospace Science, Creative Arts or Money Management, 4-H has grown and adapted to today's needs of young people and the skills needed in this new world. And yes! 4-H still has projects about farm animals and sewing and cooking.

The Franklin County Agricultural Society will proudly continue to serve the public by providing an opportunity for education, entertainment and recreation while continuing to promote its purpose, honor its past and build for its future.