What the Barlow Independent Fair Is
The Barlow Independent Fair in Washington County is called the oldest continuously operating independent fair in Ohio; the 2025 fair was its 154th. It is run by the Barlow Independent Fair Board, with Blake Campbell as fair director. It mixes a Junior Fair for 4-H and FFA members with open shows, tractor pulls, music at the Gazebo, amusement rides and family events. The 2026 fair runs Wednesday, September 30 through Sunday, October 4. Detailed 2026 schedules had not been released when dates were announced, so this page uses the 2025 fair, September 23 to 28, as the model for how the week runs.
How the Week Ran in 2025
Tuesday: check-in
Fancy poultry check-in at noon, market duck weigh-in 4 to 8 p.m., market dairy goat weigh-in 5:00 p.m., feeder calf weigh-in 5:30 to 8 p.m., entries for T-building, Lads and Lassies and produce, 4-H booth judging at 6:00 p.m., rabbit check-in and a square dance.
Wednesday and Thursday: shows and pulls
Lads and Lassies and produce judging, T-building and flower judging, the sheep and goat show and a tug tractor pull on Wednesday, with a performance at the Gazebo. Thursday gates opened at 8 a.m.; duck and poultry showmanship, Junior Fair and open beef shows, beef breeding showmanship, dairy shows, a tug tractor pull and local marching bands followed.
Friday and Saturday: showmanship, parade, sale
Friday had the market duck show and poultry show, feeder calf showmanship, the market dairy goat show, a parade and tug pull at 6:00 p.m. Saturday had the feeder calf show, garden tractor pull, rabbit shows, open horse show, draft pony pull, a buyer appreciation reception at 4:00 p.m. and the Junior Fair market livestock sale at 5:00 p.m. Livestock sale pictures were available at the show barn.
Sunday: family day
Church service at the Gazebo, speed pulls, Family Fun at the show barn, Little Miss and Mister Barlow, a pedal pull and release of exhibits at 4:00 p.m.
Admission (2025 prices)
- Membership pass $30
- Daily adult $7; child ages 6 to 12 $5; ages 6 and under free
- 4-H and FFA exhibitor pass $10
- $1 credit card convenience fee
- Rides: $1.25 per ticket, 20 tickets for $20, 40 for $40, or a $25 wristband
Parking and Getting There
The fair is in Barlow, with grounds on Ohio 550 and Ohio 339 (Bell Road). Trucks, trailers, tractors and handicap accessible parking use the Ohio 550 lot; general parking is the Bell Road/Ohio 339 lot.
Key Dates
- 2026 fair: September 30 to October 4
- Director elections are held at the fair board office on the Saturday of fair week, noon to 4:00 p.m. in 2025
Questions
When is the Junior Fair sale?
In 2025 it was Saturday at 5:00 p.m., after a 4:00 p.m. buyer appreciation reception.
Do exhibitors pay to get in?
4-H and FFA exhibitors buy a $10 pass.
Where do I find 2026 updates?
On barlowindependentfair.com and the Barlow Fair Facebook page; the fair board said schedules would be announced as they become available.
Official Links
- Barlow Fair announces 2026 fair dates: Marietta Times
- 154th Barlow Independent Fair schedule: Marietta Times
- Barlow Independent Fair marks 154th year: News and Sentinel
- Guide to Ohio fairs for 2026: WKBN
Ohio County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Ohio's 2026 fair season listed 94 county and independent fairs plus the Ohio State Fair, running from the Paulding County Fair on June 6 to the Fairfield County Fair ending October 17, per Spectrum News.
State fair
The Ohio State Fair ran July 29 to August 9 in Columbus, and its preliminary livestock schedule put the Sale of Champions on August 9.
Rules and dates
Statewide, market animal exhibitors must finish Quality Assurance at least 45 days before the show, and leasing market animals is not allowed, per the livestock rules overview. Ownership and tagging dates vary by county. Lucas County, for example, set a January 1 ownership date for market beef, per its livestock rules.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules. Weights and entry limits differ by fair, and Pickaway County, for instance, caps exhibitors at 10 animals with no more than 5 market animals. Put QA, tagging and registration dates on one calendar the day you receive them.
Read the full guide: Ohio County Fairs and Junior Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Wayne County 4-H Recognition Banquet
Annual banquet honoring Wayne County 4-H members and volunteers, held Nov. 12, 2026 in the Event Center at the fairgrounds.
- Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 107th Ohio Farm Bureau Annual Meeting brought members to downtown Columbus for two days. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-12, 2025.
- Wayne County 4-H Beef Weigh-In
Market beef project members weigh in at the Coliseum on the Wayne County fairgrounds; Jan. 24 was the weather makeup date. Held each year; the most recent date was Jan. 10, 2026.
Wooster, OH Official event details - Shelby County 4-H Market Beef Weigh-In and Tagging
Market cattle weigh-in and tagging for Shelby County junior fair exhibitors at the fairgrounds, with a Jan. 25 makeup date for bad weather. Held each year; the most recent date was Jan. 11, 2026.
Sidney, OH Official event details - Adams County 4-H Hog, Sheep and Goat Clinics
Saturday clinics for 4-H livestock exhibitors: market hog clinic, quality assurance session, then a goat and sheep clinic. Most recent date was March 7, 2026.
West Union, OH | Organizer: OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.