Virginia State Fair 2019: Dates, Tickets, Event Schedule, Parking

DOSWELL, VA — The 2019 Virginia State Fair is underway north of Richmond, and fairgoers near and far still have a chance to enjoy live music, a dizzying array of rides, Chinese acrobats, garden tractor pulls, livestock shows, a demolition derby and more.

Started in 1854 as a largely agricultural showcase, the venerable State Fair of Virginia opened Sept. 27 for a 10-day run at The Meadow Event Park, located at 13191 Dawn Blvd. in Caroline County, just off I-95.

State Fair tickets are on sale online, and standard price at the gate is $15 for adults and $12 for kids 5-12. Seniors and military admission is also $12. Individuals can also pick up unlimited ride wristbands for $25 a piece. Concerts and most entertainment are covered by the cost of admission, and the fair also offers deals and discounts throughout the event.

Here's a rundown of what you need to know if you go:

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

To get to the fair from I-95, take Exit 98 (Doswell) and travel 1½ miles east on state Route 30. Here are some alternative routes:

• Take U.S. Route 301 to state Route 30, and travel about 3 miles west on Route 30.2.
• Take U.S. Route 1 to state Route 30, and travel about 2 miles east on Route 30.

General parking is free. Premium parking is available behind the Farm Bureau Center. Parking lot trams will be running in Lots A and C to help fairgoers get to and from their vehicles. Look for tram stops designated with small tents and flags.

Find additional information and pricing information here.

Not sure how to get around at the fairgrounds? Check out this full map of the event.

HOURS

The fair runs Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

CONCERTS

The fair's Main Stage Concert Series offers consecutive nights of Grammy-winning artists, crowd-pleasing favorites and emerging country super stars. So far, Sugarhill Gang and Crooked Road already rocked the stage in the early days of the fair. Still to come are Zach Williams on Oct. 3, Hardy on Oct. 4, Foghat on Oct. 5 and Locash on Oct. 6.

This year, in addition to historical reenactments, displays and artifacts, fairgoers will also be able to enjoy acoustic music at Heritage Village. "The Crooked Road On Tour" at the fair includes Mac Traynham, Spencer Branch, Corbin Hayslett & Hunter Holmes, Sandy Shortridge Band, and Jim Lloyd to delight crowds while performing in Heritage Village.

ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS

This year's fair features a variety of unique attractions including Xtreme Chinese Acrobats on the Main Stage, Street Drum Corps, garden tractor pulls, livestock shows, a stunt circus, a demolition derby and more.

The fair also has an impressive lineup of special events this year, including the Blue Ribbon Craft Beer Fest, scheduled Oct. 5; Publix Apron's Cooking School on Oct. 4; and Meadow Hall Mansion Tours.

RIDES

The State Fair offers all kinds of different experiences for riders of all ages. Rides include Hydra, the Fire Ball, the Zipper, the Grand Carousel, and the Super Slide. Find a full ride list and height and weight requirements here.

New to the fair this year is a Sensory Space, located in the Farm Bureau Center. This area serves as a comfort zone for fairgoers with sensory-processing issues and offers low-key sensory input activities.

ANIMALS & EXHIBITS

Young MacDonald's Farm will give fairgoers their farm animal fix. See the popular sliding ducks, hatching chicks, pigs, roosters and the new, bigger, better goat mountain. Find this favorite farm in Harvest Landing.

The SouthLand Dairy Farmer Center, check out SouthLand Dairy Parlor demos, hand-milking demos and the Dairy Cow Birthing Center. Unique to the fair, these exhibits will teach and entertain fairgoers of all ages.

The best day to see certain livestock at the fair, according to staff, is Oct. 1-2 until 4 p.m. (sheep and beef cattle), and Oct. 3-6 until 2 p.m. (beef cattle, lambs, meat goats and hogs.)

FOOD

Calories don't count when you're eat a the State Fair. Dozens of food vendors will be offering up everything from funnel cakes to Polish sausage to donuts to fried elephant ears. See the full food vendor list and what they're serving. More thirsty than hungry? The fair has options for you too.

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME

Alcohol, guns, knives of any kind, pets and selfie sticks, to name a few. Personal bags might be checked by security when entering the fair.