Your guide to the 2023 Washington State Fair. What to know about discounts, food, parking
The Washington State Fair in Puyallup is almost here. It will run from Sept. 1-24. Before you go, here’s a guide on the fair’s hours, tickets, parking, as well as new things to eat and do. Don’t miss our TikTok recap.
2023 Washington State Fair hours
Labor Day weekend
- Friday | 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Monday | 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
After Labor Day weekend
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday | 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Friday | 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Sunday | 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The fair is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Washington State Fair tickets
Weekday tickets at thefair.com cost $14 for adults, and $12 for seniors and students ages 6-18. Weekend tickets online cost $17 for adults, and $14 for seniors and students ages 6-18. Both weekday and weekend tickets at the gate cost $1 more.
Children five and under get in free. All kids 18 and under get in free opening weekend, Sept. 1-4.
Where to park at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup
It costs $15 to park on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It costs $20 on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can save $3 on weekday parking if they buy a voucher ahead of time at a local O’Reilly Auto Parts store.
Premium parking can only be purchased onsite for $35. VIP parking is $50 and must be purchased online.
There’s street parking in the area.
New Washington State Fair food
The Big Cheese will serve savory and sweet treats. Visitors can get Nashville hot cheese curds with cheddar ranch for $10.91 or cheddar cheese soft-serve ice cream in a cone for $8.41. They also have macaroni and cheese crispy tacos with lettuce, tomato and chipotle sour cream, according to a news release from the fair.
Some vendors who debuted at The Taste Northwest in July will also be at the fair. The vendors are Flaco’s Tacos, Churreria and Starvin’ Marvin.
Flaco’s Tacos specializes in Mexican cuisine. Churreria serves churros. Starvin’ Marvin has hot dogs, nachos and macaroni and cheese.
Extreme Carnival Eats, which joined the fair in 2022, will have new items such as Fruity Pebbles Korean corn dogs and dill pickle soft-serve ice cream.
New things to do at the 2023 Washington State Fair
Revolution 360 is a new ride that swings riders on a pendulum. The ride can tilt 120 degrees and rotate 360 degrees. The ride is near the Wildcat roller coaster. We haven’t been on the new ride yet, but we did send a reporter on the Extreme Scream ride. The video is great.
The Farm at SillyVille, a hands-on exhibit about agriculture, has a new section that showcases the world of bees and their role in farming. The exhibit is open 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day.
Survival: The Exhibition is a new interactive space that involves science, technology, engineering and math. The exhibit gives visitors a chance to put their survival skills to the test. The exhibit costs $9 for children ages 3 and up. It’s in the Centennial Tent. Tickets can be purchased online or at the fair.
The Biggest Little Livestock show is returning Sept. 1-4. It’ll showcase miniature animals. There will be a costume contest and an obstacle course. The show can be found in Barn N.
Washington State Fair concerts
The Zac Brown Band, Kane Brown, Third Eye Blind, Styx, Kehlani, Dan + Shay and Chicago are some of the bands performing at the Washington State Fair this year. Tickets include admission to the fair.
There are also free concerts, including a Taylor Swift tribute band, at the Outpost 47 Stage.
Accessibility
Accessible restrooms can be found throughout the fairgrounds. Accessible parking spaces are in all lots. They are available on a first-come basis. Accessible seating at concerts is also available on a first-come basis.
A sign language interpreter is available from 2-8 p.m. every day. Visitors can request this service at the main information booth by the Extreme Scream ride.
More information about the fair can be found at thefair.com.
This story was originally published August 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
