Who is excited for the Delaware State Fair?
We are! For my family this is a tradition that I hope to continue for many years. Growing up I remember going to the fair with my sisters and cousins and I cherish all those memories. Now I love making the memories with my children. Each year we try to go a couple of times to make sure we get the chance to see all the fair has to offer.
Admission Tickets:
If you plan on going more than one day you should get the Adult 3 day admission pass. This pass is good for 1 use per day for up to 3 days. The cost to buy online is $18.50. Or Buy advance discount tickets at any Walgreens participating locations save $3 off Adult Gate Admission. (Promotion ends on July 20th.)
Carnival Rides:
If your child is going to be getting on the rides I highly suggest you buy an unlimited wristband. If you buy the unlimited wristband before the fair starts you can save money,
Buy by July 20th and get Weekday unlimited wristband for $18 or Weekend unlimited wristband for $21
Other discounts include:
Buy advance discount tickets at any participating Walgreens locations and save $5 off Unlimited Ride Wristbands. (Promotion ends on July 20th.)
Special Promo Days and Events:
Friday: Present a specially marked Pepsi can on Friday, July 22, 2016 to receive $2 off of one (1) adult gate entrance.
Monday: Presented by Food Lion, Hunger Relief day allows free gate admission to persons bringing in 5 Food Lion brand non-perishable food items on Monday, July 25, 2016. All canned goods benefit the local Food Bank of Delaware.
Tuesday: This special day is geared towards youth and fun! Find tons of exciting things to do, compete in, and see throughout the day! Youth aged 12 and under get in free on Tuesday, July 26, 2016!
Wednesday: Celebrate and support our Armed Forces on this special day. Free Gate Admission is available to all with a valid Military ID on Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Thursday: Seniors' Day- FREE gate admission for individuals 60 years and older on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Governor Markell visits the Fair, along with Ms. Delaware and many more local celebrities. Check out the many events and exciting things to see and do on Thursday, July 28, 2016.
Saturday: Watch the fireworks, presented by M&T Bank, light up the sky the 30th!
What to do at the fair every day!
Suggestions of the free activities and entertainment that is available throughout the fair.
Animals! One of our favorite parts. Take the time to walk through the exhibits and barns.
Mingle among live butterflies when you walk through the Butterfly Encounter.
Prehistoric Dinosaur Adventures brings you a Mobile Prehistoric walk thru Dinosaur Museum, and thrilling up-close encounters with The King of Dinosaurs, "Tyrannosaurus Rex!" Come check out these amazing creatures, and travel back in time for four daily encounters along with an appearance in the nightly parade! Meet and Greets daily at 2, 4, 5:30, 8:30 pm and last 30 mins.
Giraffe Menagerie Petting Zoo -- Meet and feed Twiggs the giraffe and his friends at the Giraffe Menagerie Petting Zoo. Pony rides at a charge.
Circus Hollywood - Full of family entertainment, the circus includes acrobats, animals, stunts, clowns, and much more! Daily shows: 5:30 pm & 8:30 pm Additional showing at 12:30 pm on July 22-24, 26, 29-30.
"Under The Sea With Nemo and Dory", the Ice Show, presented by PNC Bank. Featuring Delaware State Fair's Centre Ice Rink figure skaters and the Bay Country figure skating club. Daily shows: 6 pm & 8 pm
Delaware State Fair nightly parade with the All Star Youth of the Day serving as Grand Marshall. The parade also features floats, antique tractors and the Citizens' Hose Marching Band. Daily: 7 pm
Citizens' Hose Marching Band of Smyrna performs live in the Plaza each night after the nightly parade Daily: 7:30 pm (after parade)
Plus a lot more! Check out complete list from Delaware State Fair.
Food and Snacks:
Food costs can defiantly blow anyone’s budget. You can plan your visit around meal time and eat at home. We like to go in the mornings to see the animals and exhibits and will eat breakfast at home, pack a small snack and then we come home to eat lunch. We will usually visit one evening and buy dinner there. We used to get away with the kids splitting one meal, but now they are growing up they are eating more! To help save we bring juices and waters with us, which was much easier when they were in strollers. Even if you don’t bring your own drinks, you can still save money. First, buy the souvenir cup- you get cheaper refills at multiple locations throughout the fair and you can use it each day you come back. Buy the tea in jugs and use your own cups share the tea. Snacks are another great thing to pack in your bag. If you are lucky you can find a dessert that you all agree on and get away with buying one or two and sharing. We have been able to share a funnel cake or ice cream with the kids and not spend a ton of money. But be on the lookout because you can find awesome deals---my all-time best score is the HUGE Ice Pop from Sonny’s Fries (They are east of the Grandstand towards the tractor display and Ice Skating Rink), for only $1….yes you read that correct. And when I say big, think like triple the size of normal ice pops. (I will confirm this deal again when I go on Thursday)
I hope you and your family are able to make it out at least once and enjoy the fair. Please feel free to share your suggestions with all of us and your favorite things to do and see.
