In addition to celebrating local agriculture, state fairs are the only place where pumpkins are judged by their personality as well as by their performance in the swimsuit competition. Savor regional treasures with today's Groupon: for $4, you get one general-admission ticket to The Ohio State Fair at the Ohio Expo Center from Wednesday, July 27 to Sunday, August 7 (up to a $10 value). Children under 5 are admitted for free.

The Ohio State Fair beckons visitors to its gargantuan grounds that house livestock shows, educational exhibits, adventurous rides, a smorgasbord of tasty comfort cuisine, and unforgettable summer revelry for all ages. Each day of the fair boasts an enthralling hodgepodge of events, from the bacon-cooking contest on July 30 to August 5's tractor square-dancing show that features coquettish farm gear performing a passionate do-si-do. Rise above the festivities during a half-mile ride on the SkyGlider, or head to the pig races, petting zoo, and pony rides in Kiddieland. The giant slide hurls thrill seekers in burlap sacks down 144 feet of delight, and daily NASA exhibits greet visitors with hands-on activities, a gravity simulator, a real moon rock, and nutritional advice from the chimpanzee who invented Tang.

Catch a dizzying array of free entertainment scattered throughout the grounds, from daily physical comedy performances by Mr. Shneadle to riveting ditties by bluegrass and soul ensembles. Guests can use their Groupons to peruse the fair's free offerings and return another day to shell out some extra cash for concerts by Ke$ha, Meat Loaf, Loretta Lynn, Melissa Etheridge, and rock superstars Journey, who will perform with instruments made entirely out of buckeyes (admission to headlining concerts not included with this Groupon; tickets range from $12 to $75 and include fair admission).

The Ohio State Fair offers discounted admission rates on special promotional days.