Second Lady Usha Vance visits Ohio State Fair
Columbus, Ohio – Second Lady Usha Vance visited the Ohio State Fair on Sunday for a joyful and educational mission to spark a love of reading among Ohio’s children. Joined by Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine, the event took place at the ODNR Amphitheater and featured Storytime, a fireside chat, and the official launch of Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Speaking to a lively audience of kids and their families, Vance shared how childhood reading programs once inspired her own passion for books. “Reading is a door,” she said. “It can take you to a different country, a different time, even a different planet.”
The Summer Reading Challenge, open to K–8 students across Ohio, encourages children to read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and September 5. Participants log their progress and write brief reflections. Upon completion, kids can mail in their logs to receive a certificate, a small prize, and a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C. with a guardian.
Vance’s initiative complements Fran DeWine’s long-standing support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, which delivers free books monthly to kids under five. Today, over 400,000 children in Ohio are enrolled—the highest number nationwide.
DeWine and Vance also shared a delightful reading of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. To mark the occasion, DeWine wore themed earrings and invited families to take part in a scavenger hunt around the fairgrounds. Winners received their own copy of the beloved children’s book.
This memorable event highlighted the importance of literacy, imagination, and community engagement. Vance’s appearance coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Metallus, a Canton-based steel manufacturer, as part of the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act initiative.
As the fair continues, so does the message: books have the power to change lives and Ohio’s leaders are working to ensure every child gets that opportunity.
Follow Dalmar TV on Facebook for the Latest News
