(COLORADO) — It’s that time of the year again! The 2024 Colorado State Fair is kicking off on Friday, Aug. 23, and offers many free events for visitors of all ages.
The State Fair will feature music from artists like Ludacris, activities, shows, and more for a week. Whether you are looking for family-friendly fun or entertainment, the fair has something for everybody. From Friday, Aug. 23 through Monday, Sept. 2 attendees can enjoy music, unique experiences, food, and other attractions daily.
For music lovers, the State Fair has five different venues, with three of those — AFW Amphitheater, PB&T Bank Pavillion, and Pepsi Stage — being free. With morning and afternoon performances across all three venues, attendees can enjoy free tunes featuring artists like Ken Earl & Shameless, Otis Taylor, and The Martini Shot.
At the Pepsi Stage, attendees can watch multiple shows including the Pueblo Has Talent Showcase on Sunday, Aug. 25, the famous World Slopper Eating Championship, and the Miss Pueblo Scholarship Pageant on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Other shows and concerts at the Southwest Motors Event and the Big R Arena will take place daily, visitors can attend with separate tickets that can be bought online .
Artists featured in those stages include:
- Friday, Aug. 23: Shane Smith & the Saints,
- Saturday, Aug. 24: Rodeo with Scotty McCreery
- Sunday, Aug. 25: Rodeo with Lonestar
- Monday, Aug. 26: PRCA Rodeo
- Tuesday, Aug. 27: Governor’s Plate
- Thursday, Aug. 29: The Commodores and The Spinners
- Friday, Aug. 30: Trace Adkins, Monster Trucks
- Saturday, Aug. 31: Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby, Ludacris with guest Mike Jones
- Sunday, Sept. 1: Banda El Recodo, Goo Goo Dolls
Special experiences like the 6th World Slopper Eating Championship let guests see professional eaters chomp down as many Sloppers as they can. Sloppers are a local delicacy featuring an open-faced cheeseburger smothered in pork green chile. The event is taking place on Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. on the Pepsi Stage.
For the foodies, visitors can indulge in the Governor’s Plate on Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. for a fee, the show was created to showcase local products and chefs. The competition brings food trucks from across the state to compete against each other for a Golden Plate award, selected by Governor Polis, and attendees can pick their favorite dish — which awards the winner with a People’s Choice Award. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the link above.
With the purchase of gate admission, attendees can also enjoy free attractions such as the All-American High Dive Show, Xpogo Stunt Team, and The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show.
Kid-friendly activities are also available. Both kiddos and adults can partake in shows including the Great American Petting Far, Stomp Lights, and the Colorado Proud Farm Trail. Characters like Fritters and Zoey the Butterfly will be strolling around the Fairgrounds as well.
Fiesta Day which takes place on Sept. 1 will feature multiple musical acts, including the Goo Goo Dolls, Banda el Recodo, and a special Skyworx Drone Show. That day, attendees can get a $3 discount if they bring a non-winning Colorado Lottery ticket.
Discounts will be provided on some days, with the first occurring on Aug. 23. Seniors can get in for free, and attendees can enter the fair for $5 till 5 p.m. on Fridays, every food stand will also offer a $5 item until 5 p.m.
Other discount days will highlight:
- Aug. 23 and Aug. 30: Senior Day
- Aug. 25: American Heroes Day: Military and first responders get $8 off.
- Aug. 26 and Sept. 2: CSU Pueblo Kids Day, free admissions for children under 12 years old.
- Aug. 27, Two Can Tuesday free admission
- Aug, 28, One Price Wednesday: includes fair admission, ranch rodeo, Chancey Williams Concert, and a Carnival Ride Wristband all for $15.
- Aug. 29, Back to School Day: Free fair admission and $25 unlimited carnival ride wristband with student voucher or coupon.
- Sept. 1, Fiesta Day: $3 off fair admission with a non-winning lottery ticket.
The Colorado State Fair’s shows and music schedule changes daily. Ticket prices and Carnival prices are separate.
The Fair will be open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The last tickets are sold at 10 p.m. Carnival hours are the same as Fair Hours, on Labor Day they will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. or later.
To see a schedule of each event from Aug. 23 through Sept. 2, click the link above.
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