Arizona State Fair Brings Family Fun, Healthy And Unhealthy Foods

PHOENIX – The Arizona State Fair is once again bringing back its annual roundup of concerts, dance competition, “healthy” (and unhealthy) foods, rides and exhibits to entertain Phoenix metro area and statewide visitors. Held at 1826 W. McDowell Rd. in Phoenix beginning Friday, Oct. 4 and going through Sunday, Oct. 27, ring-toss game players and thrill-seekers of all ages are invited.

Concerts and dance competition

This year’s Arizona State Fair concert lineup includes Grammy nominee Billy Currington Oct. 4, The Cult Oct. 5, California Christian rock band Stryper Oct. 9, Pat Benatar Oct. 10, Grammy nominee Lee Brice Oct. 12 and Grammy nominee Trace Adkins Oct. 17, among other state fair concerts scheduled. Additionally, the annual Arizona State Dance Championships will be held at the fair its second time this year.

Unhealthy, healthy, GF, vegan foods rule at the fair

Amid the calls of carnival workers at game booths and the music of the kids' merry-go-round, the aroma of traditional and untraditional fair foods will fill attendees' senses. Expect the traditional funnel cakes, Navajo taco frybread, turkey legs, kettle corn and cheeseburgers. But this year, the fair also boasts some certainly out-of-the-box edibles: a 2-foot-long corndog, a deep-fried S'mores treat, the charcoal cone, doughnut towers on a stick, a crunchy flaming hot pickle and the "hot Cheeto burrito."

Arizona State Fair visitors who are vegan, vegetarian, on a gluten-free diet or simply looking for healthier options need not fear, however. There’s also (healthier) cuisine at this year’s fair. For example, a couple vendors are offering smoothies, while others offer several vegan choices such as vegan tacos, burritos, nachos, bean papusas, soba noodles, and pineapple Dole whip. Non-meat-eaters can also pick up a vegetarian sandwich or a vegetarian burrito. All the fair’s healthy, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free food vendors are listed on the fair’s website. Anyone looking for a fresh-squeezed cup of lemonade is in luck too. It’s available at all the fair’s lemonade stands this year.

Those dropping, spinning and twirling rides – FREE for kids?

And don’t forget this year’s nearly 70 rides, including Alien Abduction, Dizzy Dragon, Dodgem, G Force, and the Titan, a new ride at the Arizona State Fair this year. All rides have different requirements for rider height and number of tickets.

Parents might get a break on the cost of rides at the state fair this year if their youth is between ages 5 and 14, thanks to the fair’s Read & Ride program. Youth can earn free passes for three carnival rides if they download and complete a Read & Ride Report Form on the fair’s website. To complete the form, the youth must summarize (or draw a picture if ages 5-6) each of three guardian- or teacher-approved books that they have already read. Books must be suited to that child’s reading level and age, and the form must be signed by an adult and brought to Guest Services for young readers to receive the free passes. Families can only turn in one form per child per day.

Gaming and outdoor activities

More fair fun this year includes the fair’s new Esports Gaming World, geared toward everyone from hardcore gamers to casual players. Those wanting to enjoy arcade video games from days gone by can also do so at the State Fair’s Retro Arcade, filled with pinball, Pac-Girl and other classic games. Rodeos, monster museums, figure 8 racing and a monster truck showdown are also offered.

Stroll the exhibit areas and barns

Vendors representing myriad industries will make their appearance at the fair once again. Fair attendees can also visit livestock areas featuring cows, pigs, goats and chickens in addition to perusing the fair’s contest entries in categories such as AG mechanics, home arts, scouts, photography, culinary, fine arts, STEM, horticulture, and youth and student arts.

Arizona State Fair 2019 days, hours

The Arizona State Fair runs Oct. 4-27 but is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours are:

Wednesdays & Thursdays noon-9 p.m.

Fridays noon-10 p.m.

Saturdays 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sundays 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Outside and food vendors and the midway stay open until 11 p.m. and possibly later, though, depending on attendance flow, according to the State Fair's website. The Shopping Pavilion and livestock barns close at 10 p.m. and 9 p.m. respectively.

Ticket pricing for all

Kids younger than age 4 get into the fair free, while admission for kids 5-13 and seniors age 55 and older is $8. Adults age 14 and older pay $12. Admission tickets can be purchased online.

Special accommodations for children and the walking-challenged

Arizona State Fair attendees needing wheelchairs or motorized scooters, or strollers or wagons at the fair can rent one (or more) by booking a reservation with Valley Medical Supplies. Fair rental rates vary according to which type of equipment is rented, and reservations must be made the day before or earlier, according to the Valley Medical Supplies website.

Parking and directions, FAQs

For parking information and directions to the fair or to find out more about the 2019 Arizona State Fair, visit azstatefair.com.