I had no idea the expo center was open all year long! I think I'm like many Columbusites who descend on the venue during the fair and fly away the rest of the year. Well no more, they definitely have my attention with the great events they are planning. Check out my top 7 picks!
1. Central Ohio Home and Garden Show
February 25 - March 4From the website:The Dispatch Printing Company presents the 56th Annual Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. This annual extravaganza features seminars, vendors and fantastic ideas for all aspects of home improvement and gardening, ranging from decks to spas to landscaping.
Saturdays (10 am - 8 pm); Sundays (10 am - 6 pm); Tuesday - Friday (Noon - 8 pm); Monday - Closed
Adults - $12; Children (12 and under) - Free; Groups (20 or more) - $8/ticket
Bricker Building, Celeste Center
2. Ohio Indoor Kart Series
March 2-3, 2012Professional go-karting? Oh yeah! Bring out the whole family for indoor racing fun. Time: 9 am – 5 pm Price: Adults (16 and over): $15, children (7 to 11): $6, Kids under 7 admitted free Location: O'Neill Building
3. Best of The U.S. Alpaca Show and Sale
March 10 - 11, 2012From the website: The Best of the U.S. Alpaca Show and Sale returns March 10 & 11 to the Bricker Building. Come see this exciting NEW show as hundreds of vendors & exhibitors will be displaying tons of Alpaca products, as well as, merchandise and equipment for breeders. There will be over 600 alpacas on display, and an auction will take place Saturday afternoon from 3 pm to 9 pm featuring 45 alpacas. Time: Saturday: 8 am - 3 pm (with an auction from 3 pm - 9 pm); Sunday: 8 am - 5 pm
Price: Free
Location: Bricker Building
4. Ohio Roller Girls Roller Derby
March 10, 2012The Ohio Roller Girls have quite a cult following. These girls are real athletes doing incredible things on roller skates. The kids will love to check this one out. This match has our home team facing off again the Ft. Wayne Derby Girls.
Time: Doors open at 3:30 pm; bouts begin at 5 pm
Price: General admission (Ages 13 and up) - $17, Youth (Ages 8-12) - $10, Advance-sale tickets - $14 tickets@ohiorollergirls.com
614-859-6474
Lausche Building
5. Field and Stream Deer and Turkey Expo
March 16 - 18, 2012From the website:This well-known event, now in its 20th year, brings activities, free seminars, gear, more than 460 booths, demonstrations, contests, displays and more to the Ohio Expo Center. The state turkey calling championship will be Saturday in the DiSalle Center Auditorium.
Time: Friday (2 - 9 pm); Saturday (9 am - 7 pm); Sunday (9 am - 4 pm)
Price: Adult single-day pass - $13; Adult two-day pass - $21 Military personnel single-day pass (ID required) - $12; Military personnel two-day pass (ID required) - $19
Youth (12 - 18) - $13; Youth with hunter safety graduate proof (12 - 18) - $10; Children (6 - 11) - $4; Children (5 and under) - Free;
First year hunter - Free with proof of hunter education course completion; Hunter education instructor - Free with proof of current certification; Friday night is family night - all youth age 11 and under admitted free with an adult
Location: Bricker Building; DiSalle Auditorium
7 Outdoor Romantic Spots in Columbus
6. The Great Train Expo
March 17 - 18, 2012From the website:Come and see operating model railroads and more than 300 tables of train and toy merchandise with all sizes and scales at this expansive show. Plenty of workshops and layout ideas will be offered for enthusiasts, while kids will enjoy a toy train play area.
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Adults - $7; Children (under 12) - Free
Location: Lausche Building
Short North Gallery Hop Review
7. 62nd Annual Aladdin Temple Shrine Circus
March 29 - April 1, 2012 With nine different shows, the Aladdin Temple Shrine Circus lands at the Ohio Expo Center. Don't miss the elephant walk and all the other fun the circus has to offer. Save me some cotton candy!Price: Adult VIP - $25; Adult center reserve - $18; Adult reserve - $16; Adult value - $10; Child VIP - $13*; Child center reserve - $9*; Child reserve - $8*; Child value - $5*
Ticket locations: Tickets available at Ticketmaster. Please call 614-475-2609 extension 25 for more details and ticket information.
Times: Thursday, March 29** (3 pm, 7:30 pm); Friday, March 30 (3 pm, 7:30 pm); Saturday, March 31 (11 am, 3 pm, 7:30 pm); Sunday, April 1 (1 pm, 5 pm)
Location: Celeste Center
*Child tickets available for those 12 years and under
**All tickets on Thursday, March 29 are $8
