A Puyallup Mom’s Guide to the 2024 Washington State Fair

Here in Puyallup, we know it’s nearly fall when the sky is lit with twinkling lights from carnival rides, the air is filled with the smell of onion burgers and the streets are packed with circling cars. Yes, locals do have to put up with some headaches during the three-week-long spectacle that is the Washington State Fair, but I don’t know anyone who would skip it.

And it’s nearly here: The 2024 Washington State Fair runs Aug. 30–Sept. 22.

Here are my family’s best tips for making the most of your day at the Fair.

1. Buy tickets in advance (and the Fair begins Labor Day weekend).

The 2024 Washington State Fair runs Aug. 30–Sept. 22, 2024. Note that the Fair is closed on all three Tuesdays within that date range, plus it’s also closed one Wednesday (Sept. 4, 2024). And while the name officially changed many years ago, everyone around here still calls it “the Puyallup” or just “the Fair.”

All tickets are cheaper if you buy online, in advance. Weekday adult admission is $15. Adult pricing applies to everyone ages 13–64. Seniors ages 65 and older, and kids ages 6–12 are $12 and kids ages 5 and younger are always free. Weekend admission is a bit more: $18 for adults and $14 for kids. Tickets purchased at the gate are slightly more expensive.

This year, there is also a discount available when you purchase tickets in person at Puyallup’s South Hill Mall. And there are other deals available — see No. 3 below for more highlights.

2. Go on Opening Day or Rodeo Parade Day for free admission and fun.

The Fair is free the morning it opens: Friday, Aug. 30, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. You’re asked to bring a canned food donation as part of KOMO’s Opening Day Food Drive.

You can also get in free on Friday, Sept. 6, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., after the Western Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive. Be sure to arrive in time to watch the cattle drive, a free parade at 10 a.m. right through downtown Puyallup. You’ll get to see draft horses, real cowboys and cattle walking right down the street. Then head to the fairgrounds for free entry from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Bring school supplies to donate for the school supply drive. If it works with your schedule, this is one of the best ways to see the Fair.

3. Take advantage of other deals.

Free Kids Weekend takes place over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30–Sept. 2, when all youth ages 18 and younger enter for free, courtesy of BECU. No coupon is needed.

Kids age 5 and younger enter free every day of the Washington State Fair.

Military Appreciation Days offer free Fair entry on Mondays to all active, reserve, and retired military and National Guard and their dependents, plus disabled veterans. A valid military ID must be shown at the gate for this deal.

If your kids (or you) are ride lovers, you’ll want to invest in a Dizzy Pass to get the best deal for lots of rides. These special passes include unlimited ThrillVille and SillyVille rides, plus two free games, and will quickly pay for themselves if your kids can’t get enough of whirling and twirling!

You can purchase either a weekday or weekend option. The Weekday Dizzy Pass costs $55 when purchased online or on-site. It is not valid on opening day; Friday, Aug. 30; or Monday, Sept. 2. The Weekend Dizzy Pass costs $65, and is only valid on Monday, Sept. 2; Saturday, Sept. 7; or Sunday, Sept. 8. Note that the Dizzy Pass is valid for one-day use by one rider, and does not include gate admission or certain specialty rides.

4. Check out fun new attractions.

The big new attraction for kids and families this year is the “Popnology” exhibit in the Centennial Tent. It’s an interactive exhibit that shows the impact pop culture has on how we perceive the future. The exhibit looks closely at science and technology for an engaging and enlightening experience. A ticket is required for this attraction (in addition to Fair admission), and it costs $9 for ages 3 and older.

Also new this year: the Cattle Birthing Exhibit. The whole family can visit newly born calves, watch as the calves are bottle-fed, and hear from agricultural experts who know the importance of the area’s agricultural history.

The Fair partnered with KultureCity this year to become a certified sensory-inclusive venue, with a Sensory Shed sponsored by Better Built Barns. The staff is trained to help those with sensory needs enjoy the Fair’s signature events.

5. Explore The Farm at SillyVille.

An exciting attraction for families is The Farm at SillyVille, which offers a “farmer for a day” experience in a 1.5-acre farm area that teaches kids farming concepts. Through a variety of hands-on stations, kids can learn about the milking process at the dairy barn, drive a combine to harvest wheat, gather eggs from animatronic chickens, explore an outdoor garden and learn about pollinators. Not to be missed and especially great for the preschool set!

6. See more attractions, from rides to shows.

The Fair offers tons to do. There are mini rides for smaller kids in SillyVille and plenty for thrill-seekers on the big rides at ThrillVille (formerly called Midway). You’ll also find live entertainment, rodeo action, vendors, halls full of hobbies and educational booths, agricultural displays, and much more. Here are several more features of interest to kids:

• Urban Farm & Garden (Aug. 30–Sept. 2): Head to Barn M for a small-scale farming and gardening demonstration, with tips for backyard farmers and homesteaders. From fiber arts to canning, you can expect to learn something new.
• Animals of the World (Sept. 5–9): Exotic animals from around the world are on display in Barn H. This year’s special guests include mini longhorn, dwarf goats, mini Zebu and even sugar gliders.
• Cattle Education Exhibit (Sept. 18–22): Learn the difference between dairy and beef cows and see the wide variety of cattle breeds at this educational exhibit.
• Fair Farm: Think fair-meets-petting-zoo here. Kids can meet and pet animals, including bunnies, goats, llamas and chicks.

7. Take advantage of freebies and budget-busters.

There are tons and tons of free — well, included with admission — things to see and do at the Fair, alongside some potential big expenditures, namely rides and food.

Freebies

In addition to some of our favorite freebies mentioned above, here are a few more kid-friendly things to do that won’t cost a thing:

• Tractor Tracks Kids Pedal Tractors: Kids get to cruise around a track on a pedal tractor (think tricycle-style ride designed to look like a tractor). Super cute!
• Hobby Hall: Visit Hobby Hall for a look at the intriguing world of crafts and collections, from Lego displays to toy collections to coins and everything in between. Quirky is a great description of all the fascinating personal collections on display in the Hobby Hall.
• Wheels on the Farm: From antique tractors to the newest John Deere machines, this exhibit gives kids the chance to see farm equipment up close.

Budget-busters

Rides are one of the more expensive things at the Fair. If you have thrill-seekers in your family, your best bet is to invest in the Dizzy Pass, as mentioned above. Just note that it is not valid on all days and that some rides are restricted.

If no one in your family is an adrenaline junkie, it’s much easier to keep a fair trip fairly frugal. When our boys were small, we would typically buy around $20 worth of ride tickets, which was usually enough to let each of our two boys do a couple of rides.

We’ve also found it easier to leave the rides if you head off with a specific destination: “Let’s go pet the lambs now.”

Fair food is the other potential budget-buster. This year, the Fair is offering “Fair Meal Deals,” with select fair vendors offering weekday value meals for $10. If you don’t want to budget around an onion burger or a turkey leg, pack your own lunch or eat at home (as we do), so you aren’t walking past the booths with empty stomachs. We do splurge for scones.

Definitely skip the games, which are expensive and practically impossible to win. (For example, basketball hoops appear normal, but are actually oval-shaped and much smaller than regulation size.)

8. Consider using public transit to get to the Fair.

Consult the Fair’s transportation page for all transportation information, including special lots for Uber and Lyft. If you want to drive yourself, be prepared for traffic on the weekends and bring cash for parking. Some families prefer to pay the premium to park in one of the official lots. Enterprising locals also sell parking in their yards and driveways for around $10–$20. Historically, some area churches and schools have also sold parking spots as a fundraiser.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and updated most recently in August 2024 by family fun editor Meredith Charaba. Details for the 2024 Washington State Fair were added, including ticket pricing, deals and information about new exhibits.