163rd Ohio State Fair Guide

The Ohio State Fair | July 27th - Aug 7th 

Ohio's culture is deeply rooted in tradition and the annual Ohio State Fair is no exception. If you're planning on heading to the 163rd Ohio State Fair which opened yesterday, I have a few tips for you from discounts and apps to can't miss exhibitions, Pokemon Go and more!

Highlights

For those of you who have been coming to the fair for years, be sure to check out the new attractions Sea Lion Splash and Arctic Olympics High Dive Show throughout the duration of the fair!

If you're heading down with little ones they can ride a camel ($5) or a pony ($4) in Kiddieland. You can have lots of free fun playing a giant game of tic tac toe with the family, stopping by the Monster Mural to see if you have a future Picasso on your hands and/or petting all of the adorable animals at the petting zoo.

The fair proudly hosts different educational attractions like the AG Is Cool Interactive Stations, OSU Phun with Physics, OVMA Veterinary Center, Backyard Conservation & Gardening and the Ohio State Beekeeping Association. 

Looking to show off this year? We have the Old Familiar Beard Bash Competition, the Ohio Best Tattoo Competition presented by High Street Tattoo and the Sunburst Beauty Pageant! If you're on the fence between spectator and star, there is also the Zumba Hip Hop Fitness Extravaganza and Dance Arts by Habeeba where you can observe different dance genres and try to learn a step or two. 

Help protect the great state of OHIO from a zombie apocalypse in the exciting new paintball course, Zombie Acres, presented by CD 102.5. Every vote counts for the People's Choice Award at the Pork Rib-Off, yes voting does mean that you will get a free sample of the best pulled pork, ribs and barbecue sauces in the state. Don't forget to participate in the Guinness World Record Breaking Ice Cream Eating Contest with Velvet Ice Cream on August 3rd at 11:30am!

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Traditions

In the 1900s the tradition of butter sculpting contests began, however originally they had no restrictions on what they could sculpt. In 1903 the first butter sculpture of a cow and calf was featured and later added as a permanent fixture at the fair when the Dairy Products Building was constructed in the 1920s. In the later years, new cow and calf sculptures were created to reflect the positive ideals and cultural trends in Ohio. Some previous sculptures include Jack Nicklaus, Dave Thomas of Wendy's, Furby, Darth Vader, Neil Armstrong, Columbus' Bicentennial Birthday cake and more!

Last year's surprise sculpture was a tribute to the Ohio State University Buckeyes national championship in the college football playoffs! Keeping in theme, this year's sculpture commemorates the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship victory.

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FOOD

Have no fear, technology is here! The Ohio State Fair has created a mobile food finding app to help you sort through the nearly 200 different food vendors until you find the one (or two, or three, or more) that hit the spot. You can download the android version here and the Apple version here. The app also includes a schedule, a very handy park & pin feature, map, competition results and more! If you're not an app user, don't worry just keep walking, follow your nose and you will find plenty of food options from chocolate covered bacon and deep fried candy bars to traditional and delicious fair food or an assortment of ethnic cuisine. 

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Entertainment

The entertainment this year is going to be amazing! The separately ticketed concert series events feature Charlie Puth w/ DNCE, Maddie & Tae, Kenny Rogers, Rachel Platten w/ A Great Big World, Dollie Parton and more. Jeff Dunham will also be at the fair on August 4th and 7th. The All Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir Concert is a non-ticketed event that will be on Sunday 31st at 1:00pm. For a full list of concerts visit here, for stage entertainers visit here, for Roving Entertainment please visit here and for a full list of FREE LIVE MUSIC visit here. 

This year fair officials made an effort to not only honor the past, but embrace the future and technology. In addition to an app, they have also jumped on the POKEMON GO bandwagon with 17 Pokestops and Pokegyms throughout the fairgrounds. You can view a full map here!

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Tickets

You can purchase tickets at the fair, or for a discounted rate at your local Kroger, Ohio O'Reilly Auto Parts store and participating Ticketmaster & AAA locations. Keep in mind if you plan on attending a concert, those tickets are sold separately, but they do include fair admission. If you're looking to save some extra money, download and print this coupon book or attend the fair on one these special promotion days! 

Don't forget to download the Ohio State Fair APP which includes a schedule, a very handy park & pin feature, a map, competition results and more! Android version is available here and the Apple version here. 

This is NOT a full list of all the wonderful things going on at the 163rd Annual Ohio State Fair, but I hope it helps to get everyone started. I personally have always loved the crazy mouse ride, monkey show and general people watching. Please stay hydrated, safe and have lots of fun!

Tag #ColumbestHomes in your pictures of your favorite fair events so I can see what everyone enjoyed!

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This Month in Real Estate: July 2016

Here are the national real estate statistics for July 2016!

Home sales are still moving up now at 5.5 million and the average price is up to $240,000 which is up 3.8% from June and up 4.7% from July 2015 making it an amazing time to sell!

The average interest rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is down to 3.54% which gives buyers a great incentive to keep purchasing in this intense seller's market! For more on my strategy to help buyers keep reading...

I had my biggest closing so far on June 30, 2016 and was told that it was the busiest closing day for Ohio ever! It's exciting to be in this industry at such an interesting time and I'm very proud to be getting my buyers what they want in this seller's market. My buyers have closed at an average of 89% of list price at a time when people are in bidding wars and paying so much that the appraisals aren't even coming in at their offer price. One of my buyer's was thrilled to have instantly appreciated on his new home by $11,000 because of the appraisal value.

If you want someone to fight for you and be creative in this bustling market you won't regret having me in your corner! July is a very special month for me because it's my birthday as well as my sister's, my niece, my nephew and it's the month that I got engaged in Yellowstone. Not to mention celebrating living in the U.S.A. with our differences, troubles, triumphs but most importantly our freedom.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer! I give great referral gifts and would appreciate the opportunity to earn the business of your family, friends and coworkers.

Columbest Summer Events

Mark your calendars for the Columbest Summer of 2016

Living in such a great city makes my job as your local, lifestyle, REALTOR® great. There are many diverse and unique areas within Greater Columbus that all have something special to offer. The best part is that no matter where you live, you can experience highlights of each area, different cultures, music, art, food and more through these summer festivals! I encourage you to go to a festival you've never been to or explore an area of the city you're less familiar with this summer. Engage, explore and enjoy!

• The Memorial Tournament – May 30 through June 5
• Easton Sounds on the Town Concert Series – Wednesdays, June 1 through August 31
• FFOCOL – Film Festival of Columbus – June 2 through 11
• Nelsonville Music Festival – June 2 through 5
• Food & Funk Fest – June 4
• 31st Annual Music on the Lawn in Grandview – Tuesdays, June 7 through July 26
• Grove City Summer Sizzle Concert Series - Most Fridays June 3 through August 26
• Summer Fridays at the Statehouse – Fridays, June 3 through August 26, except July 3
• Rhythm on the River, Bicentennial Park – Most Fridays, June 3 through September 2
• Summer in the 614, Worthington – June 4
• Short North/Victorian Village Yard Sale – June 4
• Hubbard Mastery School Bazaar & Shoe Drive – June 4
• Tour of Franklinton Cycling Race – June 5
• North Market Peddler’s Picnic – Sundays June 5 through October 30, except July 10 and October 16
• Stop and Smell the Roses – no official event this year, peak blooms mid-June
• DAC Sundays at Scioto summer concert series – Sunday evenings from June 5 through July 31 and August 14
• Ohio Peace Festival – June 6 through 14
• Fountainside at Scioto Mile – Wednesdays, June 8 through August 17
• Sommerfest I – June 10
• CAPA Summer Movie Series – June 10 through August 7
• Park Street Festival – June 10 and 11
• Big Local Art Tent at the Columbus Arts Festival – June 10, 11, 12
• Columbus Arts Festival - June 10, 11, 12
• Olde Towne East – Trash to Treasures Yard Sale – June 11
• Pickerington Teen Book Festival – June 11
• The Moonlight Market on Gay Street – June 11
• World Naked Bike Ride – June 11
• ZombieWalk – June 11
• Grandview Digfest – June 11
• Old Oaks Boulevard Blast – NEW! – June 11
• Midwest Haunters Convention – June 11 and 12
• Origins Game Fair – June 15 through 19
• Gallery of Echoes, The Columbus Public Art Project – June 15 through 19
• Wex Drive-In, Moonrise Kingdom – June 16
• Indianola Stroll – June 17
• Tour de Grandview – June 17
• Plein Air at the Ohio Statehouse, June 17
• Celtic Fest at Ohio Renaissance Festival grounds –NEW! June 17 through June 19
• Zoofari – June 18
• Washboard Music Festival – June 17 through 19
• Picnic with the Pops – June 17 through July 30
• Columbus PRIDE Festival – June 17, 18 and 19
• Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival – June 17, 18 and 19
• Buckeye Country Superfest – June 18 and 19
• Worthington Arts Festival – June 18 and 19
• Juneteenth Ohio Festival – in Genoa Park – June 18 and 19
• Grove City Wine and Arts Festival – June 18
• Sunlight Market on Gay Street - June 19
• Schmeckfest VII – June 19
• Best Bites BBQ – June 23
• London Cobra Auto Show – June 23 through 26
• Powell Festival – June 24 and 25
• Easton Art Affair – June 24, 25, and 26
• Comfest – June 24, 25, and 26
• Main Library Opening Day Celebration – June 25
• Hilltop Bean Dinner – June 25
• Bus Tours, Columbus Historical Society – June 25
• Grandview Hop – June 25

• Red White & Boom – July 1
• BoomFest – July 1
• Red White & Brats – July 1
• National Pokémon Championship – July 1, 2, 3
• Olentangy Summer Bash – July 2
• Doo Dah Parade – July 4
• The Heritage Concert Series, Mayme Moore Park - July 7 through August 18 on Thursdays
• Downtown Live, Columbus Commons, Thursdays July 7, 14, 21, 28
• North Market Ohio Wine Festival – July 8, 9, 10
• AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days – July 8, 9, 10
• Westerville Music and Arts Festival – July 8, 9, 10
• 4th & 4th Fest – July 9
• The Moonlight Market on Gay Street – July 9
• Opening Day Pirate Island, Zoo – July 9 and 10
• Mayor’s Twilight Ride – TBD 2016
• Pickerington Violet Festival – July 13 through 16
• Young Writers Short Play Festival, MadLab Theatre – July 15 through 30
• Taste of Worthington – July 15
• Indianola Stroll – July 15
• PromoWest Fest – NEW! July 15, 16, 17
• Ohio Brew Week – July 15 through 23
• TrotCon – July 15, 16, 17
• Summer Jam Westgate – July 16
• Chess Picnic at the Park of Roses – July 16
• 10th Annual Gardening & Arts Festival, Scioto Gardens, Delaware – July 16
• Art Crawl in German Village – July 16
• Franklin County Fair – July 16 through 23
• Sunlight Market on Gay Street - July 17
• Lancaster Festival – July 20 through 30
• Wex Drive-In, Psycho – July 21
• World Bazaar, Westerville – July 22
• Sommerfest II – July 22
• Jazz and Ribs Fest – new location! July 22, 23, 24
• 2X2 Hip-Hop Festival – July 23
• Bus Tours, Columbus Historical Society – July 23
• Lazy Daze of Summer Festival – July 23
• Columbus Conscious: A Community and Music Festival – NEW! July 23 and 24
• Union County Fair – July 24 through July 30
• Ohio State Fair – July 27 through August 7
• Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest – July 29 and 30
• Gahanna’s Great Outdoors “Throw Back” Parks & Rec Party – July 30
• Whitehall Food Truck & Fun Fest – July 30
• Powell Street Market – July 31
• Lobster Days, Hills Market Worthington – Saturdays, July 30 through August 27
• Grandview Hop – July 30
• FeMME Fest - July/August (unconfirmed)

• The Werk Out Music and Arts Festival, Thornville – August 4, 5, 6
• Hot Rod Hula Hop, a tiki themed event – August 5 and 6
• Columbus Summer Beerfest – August 5 and 6
• Pelotonia – August 5, 6, 7
• Dublin Irish Festival – August 5, 6, 7
• Gardens by Candlelight, Frank Fetch Park start – August 6
• All Ohio Balloon Festival – August 11, 12, 13
• ProMusica Summer Series – new location in Topiary Park – August 11, 13, 14
• Columbus Food Truck Festival - August 12 and 13
• The Moonlight Market on Gay Street – August 13
• Bourbon Tasting, Grove City – August 13
• Festival Latino – August 13 and 14
• North Market Farmers’ Festival – August 13
• Sangria Festival – August 13
• Taste the Future - August 16
• Wex Drive-In, Unstoppable – August 18
• Farm on Fire – August 18, 19, 20
• Indianola Stroll – August 19
• Fête en Blanc - August 19
• Sommerfest III – August 19
• MatsuriCon – August 19, 20, 21
• Egyptian Festival – August 19, 20, 21
• Cruise the Ville – August 20
• African Village Arts Festival – August 20
• TEA 43206 – August 20
• India Festival – August 20
• Ganther’s Place Harvest and Jazz Festival – August 20
• CrestFest – August 20
• EcoFest, Grove City – August 20
• WAG! Dog Festival – August 20
• Sunlight Market on Gay Street - August 21
• Arch City Comedy Festival – August 25, 26, 27
• Craft Brew at the Zoo – August 26
• Breakaway Music Festival, Ohio State Fairgrounds – August 26 and 27
• Easton Ohio Proud Summer Fest – August 27
• Grandview Hop – August 27
• Bus Tours, Columbus Historical Society – August 27
• Urban Scrawl – August 27 and 28
• Merion Village Festival – August 28

• The Garden Tour, Old Oaks Historic District – June 4
• Bexley Women’s Club House & Garden Tour – June 5
• Westgate Home & Garden Tour – June 11
• Haus und Garten Tour, German Village – June 26
• Summer Tour of Historic Homes, Olde Towne East – July 10
• Merion Village Garden Tour – July 12
• WesterFlora Garden Tour – July 17
• Ganther’s Place Garden Tour – July 24
• Clintonville Homes Tour – TBA
• Short North Tour of Homes – September 18 (unconfirmed)

Hope everyone has a great summer in Columbus! If you or anyone you know is looking to rent, buy, sell or invest in real estate please let me know at pfjohnson@kw.com or 614-638-5817 

I also highly recommend this Columbus Summer Checklist from Morgan at Columbus Living Blog! Thanks to Columbus Underground, Experience Columbus and more for aggregating all of the wonderful things happening this summer.

This Month in Real Estate: April 2016

The National Statistics for April show that the projected home sales dipped and the median home price fell to $211,000, however that number is still up 4.4% from this time last year. The interest rate is up from 3.62% in March to 3.73% now, however still down from 3.96% in January. For more information on our local market or how these numbers affect you, please contact me at pfjohnson@kw.com.

This Month in Real Estate: February 2016

Here are the national statistics for February 2016!

The National Statistics show that the projected home sales went up from 5.4 million in January 2016  to 5.5 million in February 2016.

The median home price rose this month from $220,000 to $224,000. This is a 1.9% increase from last month and a 7.6% increase from February 2015. If you're thinking of listing your house now would be a great time!

The great news for home buyers is that the interest rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage has actually gone down from 3.96% to 3.81%.

For more information on our local market or how these numbers affect you, please contact me at pfjohnson@kw.com.