Fair fun doesn’t have to end with the Riley County Fair — take your fair experience to the next level by planning a visit to the Kansas State Fair! Located in Hutchinson, Kan., from September 6-15, 2024, the Kansas State Fair offers animal encounters, carnival rides, live entertainment, art and food for the whole family.
Mobile App and Visitor’s Guide
If this feels like information overload, don’t fret! The Kansas State Fair’s new mobile app and visitor’s guide are great resources for any questions that may not be answered here. The app allows you to add events to a favorites list, look up vendors and browse food options.
Getting There
Located two hours from Manhattan, the big question is whether or not to make the fair a day trip. Many buildings open at 9 a.m., with some variation on the fair’s opening and closing days (see complete hours here). A morning arrival is ideal for beating the heat and the crowds, though Midway attractions don’t open until later. With kids added into the mix, you may be pressed to take in all your desired attractions driving from Manhattan and back in one day. Consider spending a night Hutchinson, McPherson, Salina or even Wichita to put yourself closer to the fair and make it a little getaway!
Parking
Free parking is available in three different lots, with a free shuttle service to and from the gates. Parking lot C is a popular choice, located east of the Grandstand and offering convenient access to the will call building, concerts, animal barns and the Midway. View or print a full fair map, including free parking lots, here.
Hours
The overall fairgrounds open before the main exhibit buildings. For visiting families, 9 a.m. is a great arrival time.
Fairgrounds Hours
- Friday, Sept. 6: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sept. 7-14: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 15: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Building Hours
Buildings are generally open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily, with some variation on the fair’s opening and closing days (see complete hours here).
Admission Tickets
Tickets are discounted through Sept. 5. Buy online, by phone at 620-669-3618, or at any Kansas Dillons store. Special value packages for admission, rides and food are available online through Sept. 5 while supplies last, including packs for seniors, couples, kids and families. Dillons Dollar Day on Monday, Sept. 9 offers free and discounted admission and Midway wristbands, find full details in the Tickets section of the fair FAQs.
Once the fair begins Sept. 6, tickets can be purchased at Gate 1, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 5, Gate 7, Gate 8, and Gate 9 (see map).
- Adult (13-59) Advance Admission: $7 ($10 starting Sept. 6)
- Senior (60+) Advance Admission: $4 ($6 starting Sept. 6)
- Child (6-12) Advance Admission: $4 ($6 starting Sept. 6)
- Kids 5 and under: Free
- Military tickets can be purchased at the gate during the fair for $4. Price is valid for each family member, must show military ID or proof as a veteran.
Rides and Attractions
Non-Midway Rides
Midway tickets and wristbands do not include the State Fair railroad, Ye Old Mill, boat ride on Lake Talbot, skyride or the giant slide. These are ticketed separately at each attraction, or a five ride discount punch card can be purchased online through Sept. 5 for $15 (valued at $21). The punch card includes one ride for each of the following: the giant slide, railroad, Ye Old Mill, boat ride at Lake Talbot and the skyride.
- Big Slide: $3/ride or 4 for $10
- Boat Ride: $5
- Sky Ride: $5 one-way, $8 round-trip
- Railroad: $4
- Ye Old Mill: $4
Midway Ride Tickets and Wristbands
Paper ride tickets are being replaced with FunTagg cards, a refillable non-expiring credit-card style card with ride tickets embedded. Wristbands offer unlimited rides for a single day and are available on seven select days, with a discount on Dillons Dollar Day (Sept. 9). FunTagg cards and wristbands can be ordered online or in person at the Fair Ticket Office in advance. Once the fair begins, wristbands and FunTagg cards can be purchased at midway ticket booths.
Find a complete list of midway rides, prices and height requirements here.
FunTagg Cards
FunTagg Cards are available in a variety of prefilled amounts; additional tickets can be added at midway ticket booths.
Wristbands
- $30 before Sept. 1
- $35 on or after Sept. 1
- $25 on Dillons Dollar Day, Sept. 9
Midway Hours
Midway hours vary daily, see the full schedule here.
Food
Visitors are welcome to bring their own snacks, food and drink coolers (no glass bottles or alcoholic beverages). If you want something hot, fresh or possibly fried, the fair will have no shortage of options.
Food tickets
Food tickets are not required, but if you’d like to use them, packs of 20 and 100 tickets are available online. Each ticket costs and is worth $1, and is used as cash at most food vendors, including several (but not all) in the midway. Food tickets cannot be mailed or printed, pickup is available at the Ticket Office prior to the Fair or at the Will Call Building beginning Sept. 6.
Food Vendors
Browse the mobile app for a list of most food vendors and their locations. Some intriguing options highlighted in the fair visitor’s guide include s’mores quesadillas from Dusek’s Quesadilla Trailer, pretzel-wrapped pickles from Brackett Concessions, and grilled cheese slammers from the Mac & Cheese Food Truck. Several classic Pronto Pup stands are scattered throughout the fairgrounds, and some of the beer/wine gardens serve food in addition to alcoholic beverages.
For families looking to take a breather, Cottonwood Court offers air-conditioned seating (don’t forget to check upstairs!) and a nice variety of counter service food, including barbecue, pizza, Mexican food, Chinese food and more. Outside food and drinks can be brought inside Cottonwood Court, so it makes a convenient meeting place if family members are splitting up to order at different vendors.
Animals and Exhibits
There is so much to see at the fair, it’s worth browsing the mobile app or visitor’s guide to see if there are any “must see” activities for your family. Start a favorites list on the app if any of these highlights appeal to you!
Animal Exhibits
Walk the aisles of the animal buildings to see prize-winning rabbits, birds, sheep, swine, goats and more. Get up close at the Hedrick’s Petting Zoo, and bring some cash if you’d like to feed the animals. Cheer for your favorite porcine wonder at the Hedrick’s Pig Races. Visit the Birthing Center in partnership with the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine to see if any baby animals have been born yet. The Milking Parlor and Moo U Tours will give visitors and inside look at how livestock professionals work.
West Exhibit Buildings
On the west side of the fairgrounds, you’ll find the Pride of Kansas, Meadowlark, Sunflower South and Sunflower North buildings in quick succession. Bring a tote bag or pick up a bag from a table early on so you can can carry the swag and candy many booths hand out!
- Pride of Kansas is home to the butter sculpture, giant pumpkins, and Agriland, a kid-centric exploration area.
- Meadowlark, Sunflower South and Sunflower North host a variety of exhibitors, including colleges and universities, items for sale, and other businesses and organizations.
Arts, Handicrafts, Baked Goods and More
Competitively judged items, including quilts/fiber arts, photography, baked goods, painting, woodwork and more are displayed in several different buildings.
- 4-H Centennial Hall showcases 4-H member entries.
- Professional artists can be found in the professional galleries by Lake Talbott.
- The Domestic Arts Building features public entries of quilts and other fiber arts, decorated cakes and baked goods, including the winner of the Governor’s Cookie Jar contest.
- The Oz Gallery displays exhibits from Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and school art submissions. There are also displays and live demonstrations of painting, woodcarving, fused glass, artistic drawing and more.
Lair Steckline Fountain
This ground-level fountain can be found near the train depot and the Eisenhower building. It’s a great spot for kids to cool down; bring a change of clothes and a wet bag for stress-free splashing.
Live Entertainment and Activities
Nex-Tech Grandstand
The Nex-Tech Grandstand is the main stage for entertainment at the State Fair, hosting Wynonna Judd with Kimberly Perry, Casting Crowns, The Oak Ridge Boys with Rockland Road, and a Demo Derby. Tickets typically include admission to the fair the day of the concert (except the Demo Derby). The Grandstand has additional policies regarding photography, outside food and drink, and bags, visit the fair FAQs for more information.
Free Entertainment
If big concerts aren’t your style, there are a ton of low-key free shows and roving performance opportunities at the fair.
- Roving Acts: Slapstick comedy and circus thrills takes to the street with Allez-OOPS. Catch some trick roping, whip cracking action with Cowboy Circus. Journey back in time with Dino+Refuge. Find Ike The American bison to get a big fluffy high five.
- Free Stages: Between five different free performance stages, you’re sure to find a fantastic show to sit back and relax for a bit. Manhattan High School’s own Pops Choir will take the stage on Friday, Sept. 6. Hypnotist Ron Diamond is a consistent crowd favorite; every show is a little different and always hilarious. Kenny Ahern brings wacky fun and big laughs to his one-man show. Gasp in awe at Lady Houdini or the Strong & Amazing Aerial Stunt Show. See chainsaw artists turn blank lumber into carved masterpieces.
Educational Activities
While there are educational activities available throughout the fair, the Education Center is a hub for all ages. Dr. Goddard’s Lab is an interactive show with live rocketry demonstrations presented by the Cosmosphere (a fantastic Hutchinson attraction if you make the fair part of a weekend getaway). Pick up an age-appropriate activity for your children at the Education Center and complete it to earn a prize:
- Agriculture or Pollinator Passport (elementary)
- Ferris Wheel ABC (preschool/early elementary)
- Math-on-a-Stick (intermediate grades)
The Fair with Kids
Strollers and Wagons
All strollers and wagons are welcome at the fair. Most areas of the fairgrounds are paved, but the free parking lots may have you in dirt/grass so consider something with all-terrain wheels. Walk up rentals are available for single strollers, double strollers and wagons. Look for Scootaround Mobility rentals south of Gate 5 and west of Gate 9.
- Stroller: $11 per day
- Double Stroller: $17 per day
- Wagon: $17 per day
Baby Changing Stations
Baby changing stations are available in most indoor bathrooms.
Nursing Stations
Nursing stations are available in the Encampment building and Cottonwood Court (inside the women’s restroom).
