A South Carolina State Fair preview for Columbia, SC

To the fair and beyond. πŸŒ•

State Fair

The fair will run from Wed., Oct 12-Sun., Oct. 23.

Photo provided by the South Carolina State Fair

Table of Contents

You can’t spell friend without fried, and wafting fried food is one of the biggest indicators that the South Carolina State Fair β€” our state’s biggest event, featuring ~500,000 visitors β€” is coming back.

This year marks the 153rd year of the South Carolina State Fair β€” and just to put that into perspective β€” 1869 marked Ulysses S. Grant’s first year in office.

So, what can you expect at the fair this year?

🎑 Rides

Go on 60 different rides, including these four new ones:

  • Flying Jumbos | a spinning kiddie ride
  • The Money Maze | a monkey-themed maze
  • Giant Vertigo | Giant Vertigo will take riders on a high-swinging thrill ride with aerial views.
  • Sky Screamer | This high-speed thrill ride may not be for those who are scared of heights.

🍩 Food

Guests can enjoy 90 food vendors, including five new options:

  • Steak Poutine Sundae
  • Cookies and cream topped funnel cakes and elephant ears
  • Fried Moon Pies
  • Watermelon ice tea
  • See a map of the vendors here.

πŸŽͺ Entertainment

  • CIRCUS | The circus will be performing three 40-minute shows each day, happening at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. The CIRCUS is free with admission + is located near the South Gate Entrance.
  • Traveling Moon Exhibit | Museum of the Moon, will be on display + showcase a seven meter in diameter moon sculpture that features a 120 dpi detailed NASA imagery of the moon’s surface.
  • Music | See a lineup of shows taking place each night on the Pepsi Place Stage at 7 p.m.
  • Sensory-Friendly Morning | The fair will be lowering the lights + sounds from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 13 to host its first-ever Sensory-Friendly Morning, which accommodates children and adults with autism or sensory processing disorders.
  • See more entertainment options here.

πŸ„ Don’t forget about

🎟 Tickets

Tomorrow is your last day to purchase discount admission tickets ($10 per person) and discount ride vouchers ($30 per person). All children five + under are free.