Granite State Fair’s Opening Night: A Reflection on the Past and Present

Photo byNew England Pulse

ROCHESTER, NH - On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Granite State Fair, formerly known as the Rochester Fair, opened its gates for the season. Offering a special opening night deal of $20 per carload, we arrived with our daughters and grandson, excited to experience what the fair had in store. However, as soon as we walked through the gates, it became evident that the Granite State Fair has drastically changed from the bustling, community-centered event it once was.

Photo byNew England Pulse

In years past, the Rochester Fair was a lively two-week event packed with rides, games, food vendors, and local exhibitions. Now, the fair has been scaled back, with a much smaller midway and fewer attractions. Many of the once-beloved features have been reduced or eliminated altogether, leaving a fairground that feels more like a pop-up carnival than the community staple it used to be.

Photo byNew England Pulse

One of the most noticeable differences was the food offerings. In its prime, the fair boasted a variety of food vendors, some of which operated out of permanent structures. Now, most of the food options are from vendors traveling with Fiesta Shows, the company that provides the midway’s rides and games. Unfortunately, the food was not only limited in selection but also overpriced. We paid $4 for a warm bottle of water, and one vendor charged us $4 for a soda, despite advertising it as $3 on their signage.

The agricultural aspect of the fair, which used to be one of its defining features, has also dwindled. While there are still some displays, including the petting zoo and beekeeping exhibits, the once-bustling exhibition building now feels sparsely populated. Many of the animal barns are gone, and much of the livestock on display belongs to the Circus Hollywood, a long-time feature of the fair but now a more central component than in the past.

What remains of the fair doesn’t feel like the community-centered, agricultural celebration that the Rochester Fair used to be. Instead, it resembles a temporary carnival, the kind you might find set up in a shopping center parking lot. The atmosphere was subdued, lacking the joy and excitement that once radiated from every corner of the fairgrounds.

Despite these disappointments, there were still some highlights for families with younger children. The rides and games, although fewer, were enjoyed by our grandson, and the Circus Hollywood performances provided some entertainment. But overall, if it weren’t for the reduced entry fee, we might have skipped the fair altogether this year.

For those interested in attending the Granite State Fair, the event will run from September 12-15 and September 19-22, 2024. On Thursdays and Fridays, the fair and midway open at 4:00 PM, while on Saturdays and Sundays, the fair opens at 10:00 AM, and the midway opens at noon. Admission prices are $12 per person starting September 12, and children 8 and under are admitted for free. Special wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 online and $30 on-site, depending on the day and time.

The fair offers a wide range of activities and entertainment, including Circus Hollywood performances, live music, petting zoos, tractor pulls, and more. Visitors can also take advantage of special events such as the “Car Load Special” on Thursday, September 19, where guests can enter the fair for $20 per vehicle.

For the full schedule of events and ticket information, visit the fair's official website at granitestatefair.com.

Looking forward, the Granite State Fair would benefit from a thorough evaluation of its priorities and the environment it wishes to present. The fair has strayed far from its roots as the Rochester Fair, which was more focused on community and agriculture. Reviving that spirit could breathe new life into this once-cherished event.

The information for this article was obtained by my personal experiences and observations, and event details were sourced from granitestatefair.com.