This year marks the 109th year for the Kansas State Fair.
Last year's attendance had a 20% drop. The state fair's general manager, Bryan Schultz suspected the drop wasdue to COVID-19. But this year, Schulzexpects to see admission soar back to more than 325,000.
Tickets for the concerts are selling well, he said. And animal competitors have gone up by 500.
"Our numbers are going back up," Schulz said. "People are wanting to come out and do things."
More:Kansas State Fair offers variety with new beer, new acts, new contests and new food
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When is the Kansas State Fair?
This year's Kansas State fair runs from Sept. 9 - 18.Patrons need a ticket to enter the fairgrounds.
Hours:
- 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sept. 9
- 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sept. 10-17
- 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sept. 18
Buildings are generally open from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.
The Kansas State Fair is located at 2000 N. Poplar St., Hutchinson.
How do I get tickets to the State Fair?
Buy tickets online, call 620-669-3618 or go tothe fairgrounds. They can also be purchased at any Dillons store through Sept. 18.
Before Sept. 9, tickets are $4 for military, senior and child. $7 for ages 13 and up. After Sept. 9, tickets are$6for senior and child tickets. $10for ages 13 and up. Tickets remain $4 for military personal with identification. A season pass is $50.
Monday, Sept. 12 is Dillons Day. Admission is free with a Dillons Plus card or $1 without the card.
Admission Thursday, Sept. 15, is $2 for anyone 55 and older. While on Friday, Sept. 16, Kansas Lottery Playon members get in for $2.
Admission is half-price the regular admission price after 9 p.m.
The Kansas State Fair Ticket Office is located in the Administration Building, 2000 N. Poplar St., just inside of Gate 1. It is open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
More:For $5 you can learn how to throw an ax at the Kansas State Fair. Here’s what to know
Who's performing at the grandstand in 2022?
Nex-Tech Grandstand concert/event tickets will have a gate admission built into (one) ticket. The gate ticket is valid only on the day of the event. Demo Derby willnot include gate admission.
- Parker McCollum, Sept. 10
- Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, Sept. 11
- Demo Derby, Sept. 12
- Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Sept. 13
- TobyMac, Sept. 14
- Great White and Quiet Riot, Sept. 15
- Tech N9ne, Sept. 16
- T.I., Sept. 17
- Championship dirt track auto racing, Sept. 18
More:Who's performing at the Kansas State Fair? See the lineup from Parker McCollum to Tech N9ne
Does the State Fair have rides?
Midway Ride Sheets have 20 tickets per sheet. Midway rides take from 2 - 4 tickets per person depending on the ride; except on Monday, Dillons day, when most rides are 1 ticket per ride or $2 per ticket.
Some major rides include: the Bullet Train, Space Roller, Giant Wheel, Actic Express and Fun Slide. There's also Tea Cups, Zero Gravity and Wiggle Worm. And to remind people of Kansas, Midway includes the Tornado.
More:Finding deals at the 2022 Kansas State Fair, including free ice cream and concerts
Can you drink at the Kansas State Fair?
Drinking of beer and wine is allowed at the fair. Six vendors will serve alcohol throughout the park.
More:Change is brewing at Kansas State Fair with beer and wine OK across site. Here are the rules.
What food is at the State Fair this year?
This year's Kansas State Fair will introduce waffle cheese curds covered with syrup, a Krispy Kreme donut topped with fried chicken and bacon, and a mix of whipped cream-topped funnel cakes.
With 120 food vendors, fairgoers can find a variety of delectableand sometimes over-the-top goodies.
More:New foods at the Kansas State Fair, from burnt end burgers to waffle cheese curds
Where should I park at the fairgrounds?
There are a lot of places to park around the Fairgrounds. Parking is available on the street, in private lots and on the fairgrounds.
Free lots: There are several businesses near the Fairgrounds that offer paid parking, but the Fair does offer free parking. A free shuttle service to and from the gates is available.
Parking Lots A and B: North of the Fairgrounds, these lots are the closest to the 4-H Centennial Hall and the Encampment Building.
Parking Lot C: East of the grandstand. This lot is located near the concerts, animal barns and the Midway. You can enter the Fair through either Gate 8 or Gate 9.
More:Take a look at the Kansas State Fair through the years
Is there a map of the Kansas State Fair?
What can and can't you bring to the State Fair?
You can bring:
- wagons
- coolers with non alcoholic beverages
- service animals
- food
- strollers
You can't bring:
- No bicycles
- No skateboards
- No pets, unless they are ADA service animals
- No alcohol
- No glass bottles
- No golf carts
Note:State law allows for the open-carry and concealed-carry of handguns on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Smoking is allowed in one of 15 designated locations only.
