PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Washington State Fair returned Friday, bringing a dazzling variety of deep-fried foods, family fun and stomach-flipping rides along with it.
Here is a complete guide on what’s new, what to eat and who to see at the 2024 Washington State Fair, which opens Friday and ends Sept. 22. The fair will be closed every Tuesday and on Sept. 4.
How to score discounted tickets
All tickets are $1 off online instead of at the gate. Kids ages 5 and under are free.
Weekday ticket prices at the gate are $15 for adults, $12 for children (ages 6-12) and seniors. Weekend prices are $18 for adults and $14 for children and seniors.
Click here for more information on state fair tickets, packages and deals.
Free entrance days are held on:
- Friday, Aug. 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a suggested nonperishable donation.
- Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30-Sept. 2), all kids ages 18 and under receive free admission.
- On Mondays, free admission for all active, reserve and retired military servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents, with proof of military ID.
- Friday, Sept. 6, free admission from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. if you bring a suggested new school supply donation.
Dizzy Pass
For thrill-seekers, a Dizzy Pass is your way to get unlimited rides. The pass includes unlimited Thrillville and SillyVille rides, plus two free games.
A weekday Dizzy Pass can be purchased online for $55. The pass is good to use onsite until 9 p.m. and ride until 10 p.m. The fair said a Dizzy Pass is not valid on opening day and Labor Day (Sept. 2).
A weekend Dizzy Pass can be purchased online for $65. The pass is good to use onsite until 9 p.m. and ride until 10 p.m. This pass is valid for Labor Day (Sept. 2), Sept. 7 and Sept. 8. Onsite sales for a weekend Dizzy Pass end at 4 p.m.
Organizers said Dizzy Passes are valid for one-day use only by a single guest and do not include fair gate admission. Riders must be at least 2 years old and meet the height requirements of each ride. The pass excludes Extreme Scream and Adventure Zone rides.
There are no refunds or exchanges for a Dizzy Pass. Attendees can print a voucher at home or show the pass on their mobile device to minimize fees.
Click here for a full look at every ride at this year's fair.
Fair Season Pass
You can purchase a Season Pass for $59.50, which grants you admission for a single fair guest each day of the Washington State Fair. The fair said the season pass represents a $352 value.
To enter present your e-ticket barcode at any fair entrance gate to be scanned for admission. Season passes can be scanned once per day and are only valid for the ticket holder.
Fair foods
Did someone say PB&J pie????? New to the fair this year is Pie Bard Ballard. The popular Seattle-based store serves fruit and savory pies, along with pie-infused & late-night drinks. And, yes, they serve a delectable PB&J pie.
New this year, Cevicheria Mahi Mahi is offering a deal that gives you fish ceviche, chips and a 20-ounce drink all for $10.
Click here for a full list of all food vendors at the fair.
Map of the fairgrounds
Concerts and special events
The 2024 concert lineup includes:
- Friday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.: Foreigner
- Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.: Lauren Daigle with guest Blessing Offor
- Sunday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m.: Wiz Khalifa with special guest Travis Thompson
- Monday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m.: Happy Together Tour
- Thursday, Sept. 5 at 9:15 p.m.: Sawyer Brown Dancin' In The Dirt Party
- Friday, Sept. 6 at 9:15 p.m.: Nate Smith Dancin' In The Dirt Party
- Saturday, Sept. 7 at 9:15 p.m.: Ernest Dancin' In The Dirt Party
- Sunday, Sept. 8 at 9:15 p.m.: Parmalee
- Monday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.: Theory of a Deadman with guest Black Stone Cherry
- Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.: KIDZ BOP
- Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.: Walker Hayes with special guest Tanner Adell
- Friday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.: Matchbox Twenty and guest Beauty School Dropout
- Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.: Ne-Yo with special guest Gym Class Heroes
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m.: Fiestas Patrias (FREE)
- Monday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.: TobyMac with guest Leanna Crawford
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m.: Alabama with guest Alex Miller
- Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.: Thomas Rhett with guest Elvie Shane
- Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.: Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.: Bryson Tiller with DJ Nitrane
- Sunday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m.: An Evening With Steve Miller Band
Concerts seating chart
All Washington State Fair concerts will be at the Grandstand, located at the north end of the facility. The closest parking lots to access the venue are the Gold and Red lots.
Below is the seating layout for concerts at the fair from Friday through Monday.
Below is the seating layout for concerts at the fair from Sept. 11-22.
Rodeo information
The Puyallup Rodeo is from Sept. 5-8. It features events such as bull riding, bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, a rodeo breakfast with the Wranglers and more.
The Western Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive is at 10 a.m. Sept. 6. This nonmotorized parade along Meridian Street into downtown Puyallup includes a cattle drive down Meridian Street, equestrian drill teams, marching bands, characters in costume and more.
All rodeo events are held at the Grandstand at the north end of the fairgrounds. All rodeo tickets include same-day fair admission.
Parking
Parking is available in any official fair lot. Weekday parking is $15 and weekend parking is $22. Premium parking is available daily in Lot B between the Red and Gold gates for $35. VIP parking to reserve your spot is $50 and must be reserved online in advance.
New this year
For Disney fans, The Panto Company is bringing the beloved musical "Beauty and the Beast" alive with Dame Dotty Potty, Loopy Louie, Gaston, Belle, and the Beast. This kid-friendly show is free with fair admission.
A new exhibit "Popnology" examines how pop culture has influenced our perception and reality of the future. There will be interactive exhibits providing real-world experiences and showcasing the future of technology. Tickets for the exhibit are $9.
Foodies can enjoy Fair Meal Deals as more than 20 vendors are offering a standard-size entree and side dish/drink for just $10 on weekdays.
Free fun
Here are several free activities good for the entire family:
- Fireworks show: Every Friday night there will be a fireworks display starting at 10 p.m.
- The Farm at SillyVille: A "farmer for a day" experience shows kids and families what it's like to be a farmer in Washington
- Outpost 47: Family-friendly beer garden and food, with daily entertainment and live bands
- Floral Exhibit: Check out prize-winning flowers like roses, geraniums, chrysanthemums, bonsai and more. There will be daily demonstrations showing how to cultivate flowers and creative ideas for floral projects
- Agriculture and Horticulture Displays: Feast your eyes on the best fruits and vegetables in the state
- Fair Farm: A kid-friendly event that allows little ones to pet bunnies, goats, llamas and baby chicks
- Hobby Hall: A look at crafts and collections, from Lego displays to toy collections to coins and everything in between. Come to Hobby Hall to see talents including wood carving, calligraphy, ceramics, egg artistry and more.
- Cascadia Photographers Exhibition: Come see Washington's top photographers' prized work
- Home Arts: Browse colorful quilts, freshly made pies, beautifully designed clothing, tablescapes and more
More info
During Labor Day weekend, the fair is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday; from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday.
After Labor Day, the fair is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays; from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays.
The fair is located at 110 9th Avenue SW in Puyallup.
For more information, visit the state fair's website.