COLUMBUS — Fairgoers at this year’s Ohio State Fair discovered more than $675,000 in missing money through outreach efforts by state officials.
During the 12-day event, approximately 1,561 visitors initiated claims totaling $675,451.70 after stopping by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds kiosk, agency officials announced Sunday.
The average amount found per fairgoer was $432.70. One attendee discovered $47,000 in unclaimed money, while another located roughly $40,000.
“The Ohio State Fair gives us a unique opportunity to meet people face-to-face and help them discover money they didn’t know they had,” said Akil Hardy, superintendent of the Division of Unclaimed Funds.
The fairground kiosk is part of an ongoing statewide push to reconnect residents with forgotten assets. A media campaign featuring Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel helped drive a 50% increase in submitted claims in fiscal year 2026 compared to the previous year, according to the division.
To expedite payouts, state officials have eliminated W-9 form and notarization requirements for claims while adding nearly two dozen staff members dedicated to processing applications. The division paid out more than 182,000 claims in the fiscal year ending June 30, a 168% increase over the previous year.
Over the past five years, the division’s fair kiosk has helped attendees uncover $2.4 million in unclaimed property.
Ohioans who did not attend the fair can search for missing funds at any time by visiting unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov.