Western Carolina State Fair opens

AIKEN, S.C., (WJBF)- A popular annual event in Aiken WILL go on as planned. The Western Carolina State Fair opens Friday.

A lot of people just need to have some fun after all the devastation of the hurricane. After dealing with clean up from severe damage, insurance claims and more, many people could use a break and what better way that going to the fair!

The Western Carolina State Fair will open as planned on October 11 with Aiken’s favorite rides,
games, shows and fair food.

The fair understands that people all over the CSRA have faced unforeseen financial hardships because of Hurricane Helene, so it is offering 15 Buck Tuesday on October 15. All unlimited ride bands will be only $15 instead of the usual $35. This does not include gate admission.

Gate admission will be free on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17.

There also will be a donation center at the gate for hurricane relief, and fairgoers are urged to donate bottled water, toilet paper, diapers, nonperishable food, and other items to help people in need.

Many vendors will be running specials and plan to donate some of their proceeds to aid people affected by the hurricane.

Shows and attractions include “K-9s in Flight,” “Magic Man TJ Hill,” “Shane Hansen’s Rock-N-Circus,” “Johnny Rocket’s Cycle Circus,” and “Bulls, Broncos & Barrels Rodeo.”

Hours of operation are: Weekdays gates open at 5 p.m. and weekends it opens at noon. Closing is crowd and weather dependent. The last gate admission tickets will be sold at 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Rides will operate for at least one hour after gates are closed.

Gate Admission is $10 and kids 10 years old and under are free. Unlimited rides wrist bands are $35 and do not include gate admission. They are sold only at the fair gates.

Parking is free.

There is a clear bag policy at the fair.

Daily specials are as follows:

• Oct. 14: Carload Monday – $70 per car gate admission and unlimited rides for up to eight people legally seat belted
• Oct. 15: 15 Buck Tuesday – $15 unlimited ride band (does not include gate admission)
• Oct 16-18: Get Your Grub On – Free admission from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for access to food vendors (gates open at 5 p.m. for rides, games, food, shows.)
• Oct. 16-17: New Special – Free gate admission; gates open at 5 p.m.
• Oct. 19: Ken Treadway Rodeo presents Bulls, Broncs & Barrels at the Bridgestone Arena with the
• Budweiser Beer Garden at 7 p.m.
• Oct. 20: Ken Treadway Rodeo presents Bulls, Broncs & Barrels at the Bridgestone Arena with the
• Budweiser Beer Garden at 4 p.m.; Last Blast – Free gate admission with church bulletin from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Half-price gate admission for seniors (55 and older) and military, EMS, fire, law enforcement and medical professionals with ID

The Western Carolina State Fair runs October 11-20 at the Western Carolina State Fairgrounds, 561 May Royal Drive.

For more information visit LetsRideAiken.com.

The Western Carolina State Fair Board is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that puts on the fair to give back to the community.

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