What's new at the 2024 Champlain Valley Fair: A guide to food, concerts and other events

Is there anything new about the Champlain Valley Fair ? It’s been entertaining people every year for more than a century with animal and vegetable exhibits, thrill-inducing rides, big-name concerts, carnival games a-plenty, and food that tastes good but might not be so good for you.

Within those categories, of course, there are all sorts of opportunities for new things to reveal themselves. You might be astounded to discover that, yes, zucchini really can grow to the size of a modest RV or that you are way better at those water-gun games than you realized.

You can always find something unexpected at the Champlain Valley Fair. Here’s a look at this year’s concert lineup as well as other activities and food making their debuts at the 10-day celebration in Essex Junction that starts Aug. 23 and runs through Sept. 1.

Flo Rida, Gin Blossoms and more: Live music schedule at Champlain Valley Fair

This year’s concert lineup at the grandstand features:

• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, rapper Flo Rida and opener Landon Cube ($39-$185)
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, veteran pop-rock groups Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket with Vertical Horizon ($29-$185)
• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, a night of country with Cole Swindell with Tigirlily Gold ($39-$185)
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, “Roots & Boots” with Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye ($29-$185)
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, an evening with Pentatonix ($39-$185)

What are the shows and things to see at the fair

Other activities arriving for the first time at the fair this year include:

• 1, 4 and 6:30 p.m. daily, a new hypnotist on the Champlain Valley Fair stage, Catherine Hickland
• Noon, 3 and 7:30 p.m., new dogs performing new tricks in the Ready Go Dog show

Who is being inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2024

The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame isn’t new – the fair has been hosting it since 2003 – but this year’s inductees are new to the Hall. Honorees are emerging leader Brian McGarry of Enosburg Falls; ag innovator Ellen Kahler of Starksboro; and lifetime achievement selections Dr. Albert Moraska of Charlotte, Paul Doton of Barnard and Russel Allen of Westminster.

What food trucks and restaurants will be at the Champlain Valley Fair

Food vendors premiering at the fair this year include:

• Hart’s Korean & Filipino , an Essex Junction-based business serving flavors of Asia
• Mach’s Wood-Fired Pizza , making the trip north from its home base in Pawlet
• Majahara Spice Indian Food , a food truck making its way to Essex Junction via South Burlington
• South End Sliders , a business well-known for its mini-burgers to late-night revelers on the Church Street Marketplace in Burlington

Champlain Valley Fair: Dates, times, cost, and location

WHAT : Champlain Valley Fair

WHEN : Friday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 1

WHERE : Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction

TICKETS : $7 admission for children ages 5 to 12, $15 for adults, free for children under 5.

INFORMATION: (802) 878-5545, www.champlainvalleyfair.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com .

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: What's new at the 2024 Champlain Valley Fair: A guide to food, concerts and other events