The countdown is on for the return of the 154th South Carolina State Fair and discount admission and ride tickets are officially on sale.
Buying tickets in advance offers significant savings of up to 50 percent. Tickets can be bought now through October 10 at a participating Circle K location or at SCStateFair.org.
“The South Carolina State Fair embodies the spirit of our state, and we can’t wait to see everyone come together in October to enjoy rides, food, competitions, agriculture and the wonderful experiences that make our fair so special,” said S.C. State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith. “This year we have a record-breaking number of new foods and drinks, as well as two world-class traveling exhibitions.”
The official theme of this year’s fair is “Meet Me at the Rocket,” a nod to the tradition of gathering friends and families at the S.C. State Fairgrounds.
Whether you’re an adventurous foodie seeking unique combinations or someone who craves the comfort of fair classics, this year’s S.C. State Fair selection of 13 new food and drink options will offer something for everyone and all taste buds to enjoy.
“We’ve curated a remarkable selection of new and enticing food options that celebrate both tradition and innovation,”said Smith. “From the nostalgic delight of Fried Twinkies on a Stick to the bold adventure of Dill Pickle Pizza, every vendor represents a fusion of tastes and cultures that make our fair so diverse in flavor.”
Below is a list of what’s new to this year’s fair. Learn more at scstatefair.org/foodmap.
1. Billy G’s Carolina BBQ
2. Donut Dog
3. Fried Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies
4. Fried Twinkies on a Stick
5. Fried S’mores on a Stick
6. Mexican Street Corn Sundae
7. Wisconsin Cheese Curds
8. Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake
9. Mighty Mango Tea
10.Dill Pickle Pizza
11.Sweet Potatoes
12.Watermelon Arnold Palmer
13.Oliver Gospel Mission Coffee
From live music to stilt walkers and the free daily circus at the Fair, entertainment will be around every corner, including two traveling exhibitions: Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition and Remembering Our Fallen.
“This year we are proud to present two amazing, yet very different exhibitions,”said Smith. “In addition to honoring those who lost their lives to the Global War on Terror in the Remembering Our Fallen exhibition, we are thrilled to be the first-ever fair in the world to bring the Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition to its fairgrounds.”
In the exhibition visitors can be immersed into the life of Princess Diana with a walkthrough documentary capturing some of the iconic and intimate moments in Royal Family history. Embark on a journey through Princess Diana’s life from a perspective you’ve never heard before – hers. For the first time in his 60-year-career, Princess Diana’s favorite Official Royal Photographer and trusted companion, Anwar Hussein, shares the untold stories of Royal life and the Princess.
Accredited by the Royal Family, Anwar and his two sons, Samir and Zak, make up the longest-standing family of Official Royal Photographers, having collectively spent more than four decades working side by side with the Princess and her family. Anwar, in particular, changed the way we see the Royal Family by taking casual photographs that captured the subjects’ lives and emotions.
Learn more at scstatefair.org/attractions/princess-diana
The Remembering Our Fallen exhibit is a traveling tribute to the military fallen from the Global War on Terror. It is a photographic war memorial showcases 34 tribute towers, honoring not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice but also those who served in combat zones and succumbed to invisible wounds. Additionally, a tribute tower has been included to pay homage to military personnel who lost their lives in stateside or non-combat training accidents. Learn more at scstatefair.org/attractions.
Discount admission tickets are $10 per person ($15 – $20 during the fair) and discount ride vouchers are $30 per person ($38 – $40 during the fair). Exchange a ride voucher for a Pay-One-Price wristband to enjoy unlimited rides.
Visit a participating Circle K location or SCStateFair.org to buy discount tickets through Tuesday, October 10. Additionally, for the first time ever, Pay-One-Price vouchers can be used to enjoy unlimited rides for any of the nearly 70 rides, including the 150-foot Celebration Wheel.
