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A turkey leg is among the specialties guests can enjoy during three weekends of drive-in fair food at the Washington State Fair. Credit: Patrick Hagerty
We now know that the Washington State Fair won't happen this September. Rats! We'll have to wait until 2021 to be able to "do the Puyallup" again — a tradition for so many families. In the meantime, the Fair offers up two summer opportunities for drive-in fair fun in 2020: food and a movie.
Update: The previously scheduled drive-in concerts at the Fair, that were to take place July 16–19, have unfortunately been canceled.
Fair food
For three July weekends, the Fair opens its gates for drive-through fair food. Think scones, curly fries, giant turkey legs, elephant ears and more. Is your mouth watering yet? Fair food vendors will be ready to serve.
The drive-through fair food weekends are July 3–5, July 10–12 and July 17–19. Open hours are Fridays, 4–7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Families can drive a set route through the fairgrounds, stopping at vendors for to-go food orders. Families should plan to enter through the 5th Street Gate and follow the specified route. All guests must remain in their vehicles and everyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask or face covering. For more details on health and safety measures, visit the website.
Vendors include Earthquake's Biggest Burgers, Duris Elephant Ears, Fisher Scones, Brank's BBQ, Krusty Pup from the Sales Family, Murph's Barbecue and Impact Concessions. Credit or debit card payment is preferred.
Drive-in concerts at the Fair
Update: We learned today (July 13) that this concert series has been canceled. Rats!
If country music is more to your family's taste — or you want to combine the fun! — the Fair has six country acts lined up, performing July 16–19, for its new Drive-In Concert Series. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 30.
Ticket prices listed are for a carload of up to four people; you can add up to four additional passengers for $20 each, with a maximum of eight people per vehicle. Every passenger must have a legal seat belt. Kids ages 3 and under are free (but must have a seat belt).
Performers are scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.: Aaron Crawford with Dusty Slay ($80 plus fees)
- Friday, July 17, 7 p.m.: Jimmie Allen ($120 plus fees)
- Saturday, July 18, 1 p.m.: Country Artist Tribute featuring Kenny Chesney & Eric Church ($80 plus fees)
- Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m.: Country Trio: Bryan White, James Otto & Lila McCann ($120 plus fees)
- Sunday, July 19, 1 p.m.: Chris Bandi ($80 plus fees)
- Sunday, July 19, 7 p.m.: Mitch Rossell ($80 plus fees)
Concerts take place in the Fair's Green parking lot and parking is first-come, first-serve. VIP tickets are available for an additional cost. Read detailed rules and safety procedures on the website.
Free drive-in movie at the Fair
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 22, when the Fair invites the community to a free, drive-in movie screening of 80s movie "The Goonies." Admission is free but movie-goers are encouraged to bring food bank donations to benefit the Puyallup Food Bank.
Will the Washington State Fair happen?
As of now, the Fair is still on. Scheduled dates for 2020 are Sept. 4–27. Obviously, things could change. Pierce County needs to have entered Phase 4 of Gov. Jay Inslee's Safe Start plan in order for the Fair to take place. Watch the Fair's COVID-19 information page for status updates.
