COLUMBUS, OH -- Visitors to this years Ohio State Fair can experience Ohio's many natural wonders up close with a visit to the popular Natural Resources Park. This year's fair runs August 1-17 at the Ohio Expositions Center in Columbus.
One of the state fair's great traditions, the Natural Resources Park is created each year by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) on the southeast corner of the fairgrounds as an eight-acre oasis, with shade trees, waterfalls, picnic groves, a fishing pond and numerous educational and recreational activities for the whole family.
A major attraction this year is a display at the Outdoors Pavilion highlighting Ohios Bald Eagle Restoration Program. A record 88 eagle pairs nested in Ohio this year as a result of the restoration effort which began in 1979 with just four eagle pairs. The exhibit features a life-size eagles nest constructed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife to teach visitors about the wonder and majesty of Americas national symbol.
Additional Natural Resources Park displays include a walk-through butterfly garden, Ohio fish and wildlife exhibits, youth fishing pond, authentic tall grass prairie and free entertainment.
Butterfly garden visitors will walk among hundreds of live butterflies.
At the Youth Fishing Pond, young fairgoers can try their hand at catching specially stocked channel catfish and bluegills.
A boardwalk made of recycled plastic guides state fair visitors through a realistically recreated Ohio tall grass prairie, similar to the thick fields of wildflowers and grasses that once covered much of the state. The prairie is home to wildflower species such as the purple coneflower, compass plant and butterfly weed.
Steps away is an authentic log cabin, recreating rural life in Ohio in the early 1800s.
Young fair visitors are encouraged to stop at the Recycle, Ohio! depot with its play-structure train made of recycled plastic. Inside the depot, ODNR will spotlight the many uses of recycled tires, including recycled tire yard mulch and sidewalk pavers. Additional displays will feature some of the newest products made of recycled glass, plastic and paper - as well as information on where these products are available.
The centerpiece of the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair is an amphitheater, featuring live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The popular Hank Peters Lumberjack Show and the Madcap Giant Puppets will perform throughout the day, interspersed with a variety of musical acts and outdoor educational programs.
As in years past, a 15-foot animated Smokey Bear will greet youngsters by name, promoting his message of fire safety and conservation at the same time. Smokey stands beside an educational pavilion filled with informative exhibits on a variety of natural resource and recreation topics, including water resources, boating, geology, wildlife, recycling, coastal management, mining and conservation.
ODNR's Natural Resources Park provides a great place to relax during a busy day at the Ohio State Fair. Its also a place where people can learn more about Ohio's natural heritage.