We were talking about travel and tourism the other day and someone mentioned that one of the many amazing advantages of vacationing in Ohio is its distinctive seasons. Summer, fall, winter and spring, there always is a new experience to enjoy — often at the very same location.

It’s all true enough. At Ohio Magazine, as a matter of fact, seasonality is a constant factor in the story decisions we make. Many of our covers are planned and photographed a year in advance simply so we can capture the images that best reflect the seasonal charms of the locales we feature.

Far be it from us to rank those charms. As far as we’re concerned, they are all the best. Each season has its own unique pleasures that can’t be compared with any other.

OK, so that’s established and we all agree. But now let’s give summer its due. There is the perfect weather, of course, ideal for picnics and playgrounds and trips to the beach. But the real joy of an Ohio summer — the joy that cannot be replicated at any other time of the year — is that summer means another excursion to the one and only Ohio State Fair.

Yes, certainly, there’s the not-be-missed midway and rides and food — the stuff from which children’s memories are made. But the Ohio State Fair is so much more than that. It is not just the event of the year in Ohio, it is the cultural and the educational and the entertainment event that sets our fair apart from the rest.

This year’s fair gets under way at the end of this month, July 28, and the learning and fun continue through August 8. The fair’s star-studded concert lineup includes musicians ranging from the Harry James Orchestra to Rascal Flatts. The annual showcase of creative and fine arts celebrates antiques, fashion, film, youth arts and all the other endeavors that define the cultural richness of the Buckeye State.

And have we mentioned agriculture? For all of our urban delights, after all, let’s not forget that agriculture is a major part of the state’s economy. The Ohio State Fair brings that message home in exhibits and competitions that are annual favorites of rural and city dwellers alike.

So why are we telling you all this now? Because our mission at Ohio Magazine is to help you explore the beauty, the adventure and the fun of life in Ohio, and this is our reminder that you need to plan your trip now. Some entry deadlines for various competitions remain open as well.

To learn more about the beauty, the adventure and the fun of the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

See you in Columbus!