Ride, Eat, Repeat: The State Fair of Virginia Runs Thru October 5
The State Fair of Virginia is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine. Here’s everything you need to know.
The State Fair of Virginia has been a tradition for nearly 170 years. The first ever fair was held in Richmond in 1854, and while there were several stops and starts following its inception, the event found its footing in the early 1900s. This year’s fair began on September 26 and runs through October 5.
The grounds, located at 13191 Dawn Blvd. in Doswell, are open every day from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. regardless of the weather. There’s roughly 300,000 square feet of covered space that houses the attractions and vendors, but severe weather like lightning or thunderstorms will temporarily shut down the rides. It’s best to check the forecast beforehand so you can plan your daily schedule accordingly.
To further help you coordinate a day your family will remember forever, here are all the key details you need to know about the State Fair of Virginia.
Cost of admittance
Admission into just the fairgrounds costs $13.50 for adults and $12.50 for children. If you’d like to play games and ride the attractions while you’re there, you need to purchase an unlimited ride wristband for $31. Senior and military discounts are available at the gate, but click here to see family packages you can buy to save some cash.
The fair is also offering a fast lane option for the first time that allows you to bypass the line for every ride. That’s going to cost you another $15, but the Fast Lane lanyard lets you skip to the front of the thrill rides for adults and older kids, as well as the Kidway rides for youngsters. The amusement rides open at 11 a.m., about one hour after the fairgrounds open.
Free entertainment is scheduled every day of the fair
If you want to attend the State Fair of Virginia but games and rides aren’t really your thing, you’ll still have a great time enjoying the free entertainment (and a funnel cake or two). There’s frisbee-catching dogs, horse hitch demonstrations, pig races, stilt walkers, and much more. Here’s a breakdown of everything you can do and see each day.
There are plenty of food, drink, and shopping vendors
Chicken and waffles. Donuts. Cotton Candy. Tacos. Catfish. Pizza. If you have a craving for it, the State Fair of Virginia is serving it. Check out a full list of available food & drink options here, along with a helpful food map indicating where each vendor can be found on the fairgrounds.
In terms of shopping, there are outdoor vendors, an artisan market, and the Farm Bureau Center where you can buy everything from sunglasses to fudge to scooters. And no matter what you choose to eat, see, and d0, James Ingram, the Midway Coordinator with Deggeller Attractions, says there’s a little something for everyone at the fair. “With all the free acts and the rides and the food, the games, just everything that’s offered here. It’s a great value for a family to come spend the day with us.”
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