The Washington State Fair Turns 125: How Families Can Make the Most of It

Here in Puyallup, we know it’s nearly fall when the sky is lit with twinkling lights from carnival rides, the air is filled with the smell of onion burgers and the streets are packed with circling cars. Yes, locals do have to put up with some headaches during the three-week-long spectacle that is the Washington State Fair, but I don’t know anyone who would skip it.

And it’s nearly here: The 2025 Washington State Fair opens on Aug. 29.

Here are my family’s best tips for making the most of your day at the Fair.

Buy tickets in advance (the Fair begins Labor Day weekend).

The Washington State Fair runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 21, 2025. Note that the Fair is closed on all three Tuesdays within that date range, plus it’s also closed one Wednesday (Sept. 3, 2025). And while the name officially changed many years ago, everyone around here still calls it “the Puyallup” or just “the Fair.”

All tickets are cheaper if you buy online, in advance. Weekday adult admission is $15. Adult pricing applies to everyone ages 13–64. Seniors ages 65 and older, and kids ages 6–12 are $13 and kids ages 5 and younger are always free. Weekend admission is a bit more: $18 for adults and $15 for kids and seniors. Tickets purchased at the gate are slightly more expensive. There are special days and deals where you can save on admission.

Go on Opening Day or Rodeo Parade Day for free admission and fun.

The Fair is free the morning it opens: Friday, Aug. 29, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. You’re asked to bring a canned food donation as part of KOMO’s Opening Day Food Drive.

You can also get in free on Friday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., after the Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive. Be sure to arrive in time to watch the cattle drive, a free parade at 10 a.m. right through downtown Puyallup. You’ll get to see horses, real cowboys and cattle walking right down the street. Then head to the fairgrounds for free entry from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Bring school supplies to donate for the school supply drive. If it works with your schedule, this is one of the best ways to see the Fair.

Take advantage of other deals.

Free Kids Weekend takes place over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29–Sept. 1, when all youth ages 18 and younger enter for free, courtesy of BECU. No coupon is needed. BECU members can save on full-price admission anytime by purchasing tickets online.

Kids age 5 and younger enter free every day of the Washington State Fair.

Military Appreciation Days offer free Fair entry on Mondays to all active, reserve and retired military and National Guard and their dependents, plus disabled veterans. A valid military ID must be shown at the gate for this deal.

If your kids (or you) are ride lovers, you’ll want to invest in a Dizzy Pass to get the best deal for lots of rides. These special passes include unlimited ThrillVille and SillyVille rides, plus two free games, and will quickly pay for themselves if your kids can’t get enough of whirling and twirling!

You can purchase either a weekday or weekend option. The Weekday Dizzy Pass costs $55 when purchased online or on-site. It is not valid on opening day, Friday, Aug. 29; or Monday, Sept. 1. The Weekend Dizzy Pass costs $70, and is only valid on Monday, Sept. 1; Saturday, Sept. 6; or Sunday, Sept. 7. Note that the Dizzy Pass is valid for one-day use by one rider, and does not include gate admission or certain specialty rides.

Check out fun new attractions.

This year, the Fair is celebrating 125 years! That means you can expect new exhibits and offerings, renovations, and special shows to celebrate. Don’t miss these: 

• Opening night drone and firework show: You’d have to push past bedtime, but opening night celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Fair with a brand-new drone and firework show. There will be hundreds of synchronized drones, lighting up the sky alongside fireworks in this spectacular 10-minute show.
• “Our Food, Our Farms, Our Washington” exhibit: This free exhibit highlights the agricultural history and future of Washington state. It’s a great way to learn about the food we eat and the farmers who grow it.
• Gold Gate renovation and Ninth Avenue Festival Street Project: Before you even make it inside the Fair, you may notice some big changes. The iconic Gold Gate entrance now has a water feature, a lighted canopy and an open layout. And if you walk along Ninth Avenue Southwest (between the event center and downtown Puyallup), you’re likely to notice the expanded sidewalk and pedestrian-friendly elements.
• Fair Park & Stage: You won’t find the M Barn at this year’s fair — the area where it once stood has been turned into a huge entertainment and gathering space. Grab a bite to eat and then enjoy live music as it’s played onstage. There’s open green space if you prefer a picnic-style meal, or plenty of seating in the shade. This is also where you can learn to “do the Puyallup.”
• 1900 Food Hall and Rooftop Bar: The beloved International Village has been replaced this year with a brand-new collection of unique restaurants. From burgers and shakes at Benji’s Diner to Asian fusion at Fat Panda and Detroit-style pizza at Upper Crust, there’s a twist on all the classics that will satisfy any palate. Thirsty folks can head up to the multi-level rooftop bar.
• Self-guided walking tours: Download the Washington State Fair Self-Guided Walking Tour app and you’ll get access to six different self-guided tours and interactive maps. Don’t miss the family-friendly tour that highlights budget-friendly elements of the Fair, kid-friendly activities and free entertainment. History buffs can opt for the nostalgic history tour, while foodies won’t want to miss sampling their way through the variety of culinary delights.

Explore The Farm at SillyVille.

An exciting attraction for families is The Farm at SillyVille, which offers a “farmer for a day” experience in a 1.5-acre farm area that teaches kids farming concepts. Through a variety of hands-on stations, kids can learn about the milking process at the dairy barn, drive a combine to harvest wheat, gather eggs from animatronic chickens, explore an outdoor garden and learn about pollinators. Not to be missed and especially great for the preschool set!

See more attractions, from rides to shows.

The Fair offers tons to do. There are mini rides for smaller kids in SillyVille and plenty for thrill-seekers on the big rides at ThrillVille. You’ll also find live entertainment, rodeo action, vendors, halls full of hobbies and educational booths, agricultural displays and much more. Here are several more features of interest to kids:

• Urban Farm & Garden (Aug. 29): Head to Barn H for a small-scale farming and gardening demonstration, with tips for backyard farmers and homesteaders. From fiber arts to canning, you can expect to learn something new.
• Animals of the World (Sept. 4–8): Exotic animals from around the world are also on display in Barn H. This year’s special guests include mini zebu, jungle fowl, African pygmy mice, emu and even sugar gliders.
• Corn Shuck Showdown (Sept. 13): Head to the Fair Park Stage to see 10 contestants race to shuck 15 ears of corn. The winner gets $500 and Fair merch — but the real winners are the pigs at Piglet Palace, who get all the corn!
• Cattle Education Exhibit (Sept. 21): Learn the difference between dairy and beef cows and see the wide variety of cattle breeds at this educational exhibit.
• Cattle Birthing Exhibit: The whole family can see live cattle births, visit newly born calves and hear from agricultural experts who know the importance of the area’s agricultural history.
• Fair Farm: Think fair-meets-petting-zoo here. Kids can meet and pet animals, including bunnies, goats and chicks.
• Sensory Sheds: The Fair partners with KultureCity, making it a certified sensory-inclusive venue, with Sensory Sheds sponsored by Better Built Barns. The staff is trained to help those with sensory needs enjoy the Fair’s signature events.

Take advantage of freebies and budget-busters.

There are tons and tons of free — well, included with admission — things to see and do at the Fair, alongside some potential big expenditures, namely rides and food.

Freebies

In addition to some of our favorite freebies mentioned above, here are a few more kid-friendly things to do that won’t cost a thing:

• Tractor Tracks: Kids ages 3–9 can cruise around a track on a pedal tractor (think tricycle-style ride designed to look like a tractor). Super cute!
• Fair History Experience: This interactive museum brings the history of the Fair to life with artifacts and multimedia displays. See the whole timeline of the Fair’s 125-year history.
• Face painting: Kids ages 12 and younger can get their faces painted for free in SillyVille.

Budget-busters

Rides are one of the more expensive things at the Fair. If you have thrill-seekers in your family, your best bet is to invest in the Dizzy Pass, as mentioned above. Just note that it is not valid on all days and that some rides are restricted. It’s also worth noting that the Fair switched to a simpler ticket system this year, with each ride taking 5–8 tickets (instead of 9–14). Each ticket costs $1.25, but you can save with 24- or 54-ticket bundles.

If no one in your family is an adrenaline junkie, it’s much easier to keep a fair trip fairly frugal. When our boys were small, we would typically buy around $20 worth of ride tickets, which was usually enough to let each of our two boys do a couple of rides. 

We’ve also found it easier to leave the rides if you head off with a specific destination: “Let’s go pet the goats now.”

Fair food is the other potential budget-buster. This year, the Fair is offering “Fair Meal Deals,” with select fair vendors offering $12 value meals and $8 deals. If you don’t want to budget around an onion burger or a turkey leg, pack your own lunch or eat at home (as we do), so you aren’t walking past the booths with an empty stomach. We do splurge for scones.

Definitely skip the games, which are expensive and practically impossible to win. (For example, basketball hoops appear normal, but are actually oval-shaped and much smaller than regulation size.)

Consider using public transit to get to the Fair.

Consult the Fair’s transportation page for all transportation information. If you want to drive yourself, be prepared for traffic on the weekends. Some families prefer to pay the premium to park in one of the official lots. Enterprising locals also sell parking in their yards and driveways for around $10–$20. Historically, some area churches and schools have also sold parking spots as a fundraiser.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and updated most recently on Aug. 22, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba. Details for the 2025 Washington State Fair were added, including ticket pricing, deals and information about new exhibits.