COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio has state birds, trees a fossil and is about to get a state rock song. So, why not an official state sausage?
Representative Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus) introduced a resolution on Wednesday that would designate the “Bahama Mama“ Ohio’s official sausage.
“This would be a fitting tribute to a local business that has been part of the Ohio State Fair for a century and their unique product. There is only one Bahama Mama,” Stinziano said.
The sausage is the best-known item on the menu at Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, a German Village institution that will be marking its centennial anniversary this summer at the Ohio State Fair.
Schmidt’s first opened for business as a packing house in 1886.
Stinziano is also the co-sponsor of the measure making “Hang On, Sloopy” the state’s official rock song, which passed the House last week.
The restaurant has also been a fixture on the midway at the Ohio State Fair, where it has sponsored the Sale of Champions for years.
The All-Ohio State Fair Band visited the fairgrounds location during the fair to play a birthday tribute to George Schmidt for nearly 80 years and continues the tradition today for John Schmidt.
Schmidt’s sausages can also be found at outdoor functions all over Ohio including the Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton Oktoberfest’s and the Columbus Arts Festival.
The Bahama Mama is sold nationwide and in local Ohio grocery stores and the restaurant has been featured nationally on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food.”