The kick off of the Ohio State Fair is less than two weeks away, so now is a great time to start planning your visit.

There is much excitement about the return of the fair because the pandemic has kept fans from visiting since 2019. 

In addition to the games, food, rides and livestock, entertainment is among the highlights.

Of course, there are plenty of headlining music acts performing this year, including Nelly (July 30), Dru Hill (July 31), Zach Williams (Aug. 1), Willie Nelson (Aug. 5) and Ice Cube (Aug. 4) but there are ample free concerts that fairgoers can enjoy, too!

Concerts at the fair:The Ohio State Fair 2022 summer concert schedule and what to know if you go

Whether you are on a budget or are just looking to soak up some great sounds, here are free concerts to enjoy:

• Jess Kellie Adams: noon and 2 p.m. July 27, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Jay Wiley Band: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 27, Main Street Stage

• Generation Radio, 7 p.m. July 28, Celeste Center

• Will Freed: noon and 2 p.m. July 28, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers: 4:30 p.m. July 28, Natural Resources Park Amphitheater

• P.J. North: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 28, Main Street Stage

• Ruvane: noon and 2 p.m. July 29, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Waterloo 5: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 29, Main Street Stage

• Dustin Kines: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. July 30, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• The George Martins: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 30, Main Street Stage

• Paul Rosewood: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 31, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Clayton Mann: 5 and 7:30 p.m. July 31, Main Street Stage

• Reyna & Dana: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 1, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Raquel & the Wildflowers: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, Main Street Stage

• Theo Perry: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 2, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Lil' Red and the Rooster: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Main Street Stage

• George Barrie Band: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 3, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Open Highway Bluegrass Band: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and 4, Natural Resources Park Amphitheater

• Anna Lynn Farris: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Main Street Stage

• Cody Joe Hodges: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 4, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Taylon Hope: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Main Street Stage

• Ohio State Highway Patrol Drum & Bugle Corps: 10 a.m. Aug. 5, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Ghost Story: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 5, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Honey and Blue: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5, Main Street Stage

• Eric Atkinson: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 6, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Old Forge: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 6, Main Street Stage

• Son Gitano: 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Main Street Stage

• Crabgrass: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 7, AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage

• Faye: noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 7, Main Street Stage

• Arch City Lights: 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7, Main Street Stage

More:Ohio State Fair adds free concert from Generation Radio on July 28, featuring Jay DeMarcus

Ohio Expo Center, Interstate 71 and East 17th Avenue

• Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., except for Aug. 7, when gates close at 6 p.m. 

• At the gate: $10 for ages 13 to 59, $8 for ages 6 to 12 and 60 and older, free for children 5 and younger. Advance tickets $8 through July 26 online.

• A variety of discount days are available. For more information, visit https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/special-days

• Parking is free. Take I-71 to exit 111 (17th Avenue). Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to parking areas. Free shuttles will transport guests from parking areas to the fairgrounds.

• Camping will be available at the rate of $50 a night. Reservations required. RV camping only — no tents.

• ATM machines will be available at the fairgrounds

• Accessible parking is available, assisted listening devices are available free for concerts, manual wheelchairs ($25/day) and electric scooters ($65/day) can be reserved, wheelchair charging stations are available and service animals are permitted.

• Purses, backpacks, book bags, coolers, strollers, etc. are permitted, but are subject to search. Bag searches will also be conducted for visitors entering concerts and events in the WCOL Celeste Center.

• Several items are prohibited at the fair, including: illegal weapons and substances, the use of bicycles in non-parking areas, the possession or use of Segways/hoverboards, and the use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones).

You can take your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on the fairgrounds.