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Last Update 10/16/08 at 2:50 pm
GENERAL INFORMATION
TICKETS - GATE, RIDE
& PEPSI® GRANDSTAND CONCERTS
RIDES & GAMES
COMPETITIONS
CONTESTS
DEMONSTRATIONS
DIRECTIONS
TO THE FAIR
ENTERTAINMENT
FREE STAGE
SHOWS
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
SPECIAL PROMOTION
DAYS
PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES
Dates
of the 2008 South Carolina State Fair
October
8-19
Twelve fun-filled
days just to see you SMILE!
Special
Promotion Days, Free
Stage Shows, Special
Attractions & Roving
Entertainment
Hours
of Operation (Admission Gates,
Buildings & Midway)
Please Note: Admission gate and building
"open and close" times are subject to change at discretion of Fair Management. Midway closing times may vary based on weather conditions
and other influencing factors. Also, certain Livestock
Shows begin prior to the public opening of the Fair. For
security and safety reasons, only Competitive Exhibitors
competing in these shows will be allowed admittance prior
to the opening hours listed in the links below:
Click on a day below to view the Daily Schedule of Events...
Wednesday,
October 8
Thursday,
October 9
Friday,
October 10
Saturday,
October 11
Sunday,
October 12
Monday,
October 13
Tuesday,
October 14
Wednesday,
October 15
Thursday,
October 16
Friday,
October 17
Saturday,
October 18
Sunday, October
19
Gate
Admission
Click
Here for Details
Discount Tickets on sale beginning July 1.
Opening Day Special - $1 Gate Admission sold only at gate on Wednesday, Oct. 8 - Gates open at 3:00 pm
Parking
FREE
PARKING in all SC State Fair lots on "first-come,
first-serve" basis.
FREE
Handicap parking available at Gate
6 on "first-come, first-serve" basis for vehicles
with a handicap placard or license plate.
Handicap Accessible...Fairground buildings & grounds
have been modified to standards set by the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Pets Not Allowed...While pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds,
trained service animals are welcome at the Fair.
Ride Tickets
Discount Tickets - For best value, purchase Ride Tickets prior to opening day of Fair.
Pay-One Price (POP) Days
Click here for Ticket page.
During the Fair, Ride Coupon
packages are available as follows:
- 1 coupon for $1
- 22 coupons for $20
- 55 coupons for $50
Click on this
link for a listing of Carnival
Rides.
Please Note: Height
requirements vary from ride to ride depending on speed,
number "G's" exerted, types of restraining system
on each particular ride, etc. Some rides have no height
requirement. Others can vary from 36" to 54".
Some rides allow riders less than 36" tall if accompanied
by an adult.
Also, rides require
different numbers of coupons (2-5) based on size of ride.
Saturday Ride Special - 9am - 1pm
Each Saturday during the Fair "Two Ride for Price of One" during the hours of 9am - 1pm....All ages!!!
What
is “Lunch at the Fair”?
Each
week day (Monday – Friday), between 12
Noon and 2:00 PM, enter the Fair with a deposit of $5.00 cash (no credit/debit cards accepted for this promotion) and receive a “token”, purchase and
enjoy some great fair food and, as long as you exit the
fair prior to 2:00 PM, you can reclaim your $5
deposit with the “token” at the exit
gate. This is the best deal in town so tell your co-workers
and friends to join you at the fair for lunch each week
day of the fair.
Ride the "free" CMRTA Lunch Shuttle from Downtown Columbia to the fairgrounds each weekday
from 11 AM - 2 PM during the Fair. Total roundtrip time
30 minutes (15 minutes each way). Have more time to enjoy
your lunch and leave the driving to CMRTA.
2008 Lunch
Shuttle Map and Schedule 
When
is Military Appreciation Day?
Friday,
October 17, 2008
Military Personnel (active and retired duty), National
Guard, Reservists, and dependents with proper ID
admitted free until 6:00 PM.
What
are Competitive Exhibits?
The first South
Carolina State Fair was held in 1869 on a tract of land
on Elmwood Avenue conveyed to the State Agricultural and
Mechanical Society of South Carolina by the City of Columbia
for the purpose of holding an annual Fair to promote the
material, educational, agricultural and industrial interest
of the State. When this area became too small, the Society
moved the Fair to its present position in 1904.
To enhance
the State Fair's exhibits, competitions were developed
in a variety of categories to determine which entries
were the best in the Palmetto State. With that same pioneering
spirit, the South Carolina State Fair continues to host
unique competitions showcasing a variety of industries,
including those that extend far beyond agriculture.
The
Society has six exhibit buildings, totaling more than
125,000 square feet of exhibit space, and offers in excess
of $215,000 in premiums annually in categories such as
fine arts, home arts, culinary, agriculture, horticulture,
and livestock.
Pre-Fair Entry Registration is required
in all departments during the month of August. Entries
must be received during the Open Entry Registration Period
to avoid late fees.
Visit the Online
Premium Guide for additional information
and access to the Online Entry System.
When
is the Greatest Grandparent Essay Contest?
Sunday,
October 12, 2008
Greatest Grandparent Essay Contest Application
Registration Period is over...link disabled.
Sponsored by NBSC, WIS10, 89.7WMHK and the SC State Fair.
The 22nd Annual Greatest Grandparents of SC Essay Contest Application is available by clicking the link above and at
all National Bank of South Carolina (NBSC) offices, WIS,
WMHK, and the South Carolina State Fair business office.
Applications must be postmarked by September 19, 2008.
See entry form
for additional details. Announcement of the winners of
the Greatest Grandparent Essay Contest will be held
in the Pepsi® Grandstand on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at
2:00 PM.
When
are Kindergarten Tour Days?
Monday,
October 13 and Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Kindergarten Tours are scheduled in advance of the Fair.
Letters are mailed to teachers
on our mailing list in late August. The letter and registration
form links are shown below.
Registration Period is over...link disabled.
Contact Lauren Funderburk at 803-799-3387
ext. 15 for more information or to be added to the mailing list.
See ETV's Smart Cat & his favorite veggies in the Americraft-Cantey Building...
Monday, October 13
9:30 am - 11:00 am Carrot & Watermelon
10:30 am - 12 Noon Carrot & Apple
Tuesday, October 14
9:30 am - 11:00 am Squash & Peach
10:30 am - 12 Noon Strawberry & Corn
Kids, Vote for your favorite veggie at www.etvkids.org.
When
is HUMANA Senior Day?
Wednesday,
October 15, 2008
Discount Gate admission of $5 for Seniors (age 55
years and over) is available each and every day of the Fair.
Grand Ole Opry registration and free gift at the Humana booth inside the Hampton Building every day at the Fair. Plus get VIP parking for the first 500 guests showing Humana ID cards on Humana Day only.
In addition, the Fair offers special activities during the day especially for Seniors, such as FREE Ferris Wheel rides all day!!!
When is Physics Day?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM - WLTX Stage
All students wearing the official Physics Day Wristband admitted free. Contact Jeff Wilson (USC Dept. of Physics) at (803) 777-4650 for additional information.
 top of page
When
is FFA Day?
Wednesday,
October 15, 2008
FFA (Future Farmers of America) members presenting official letter of invitation at Fair admission
gate will be admitted free.
When
is Exceptional Citizens Day?
Thursday,
October 16, 2008
Permanently disabled persons will be admitted free all
day. One additional person will also be admitted free
if they are needed to assist the disabled person.
When is 4-H Day?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
4-H'ers admitted FREE from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm when wearing official 4-H Centennial T-shirt (see your County 4-H Agent).
4-H is celebrating its 100th Anniversary! Join other 4-H'ers in reciting the 4-H Pledge and for a special National flag raising ceremony at 12 Noon (inside South Gate) as we commemorate the 4-H Centennial - Making the Best Better Since 1908.
Be sure to stop by the 4-H Booth in the Americraft-Cantey Building. 4-H will also appear on stage in the Moore Building each day of the Fair. Click on 4-H logo below to visit the South Carolina 4-H web site.
When
is the SC State Fair Princess and Prince Pageant and how
does one register?
Saturday,
October 11, 2008 on the WLTX Stage.
Click here CROWNS ACROSS AMERICA for additional information.
Pageant Director, Gay C. Berry
telephone (803) 905-2608
e-mail caaqueens@yahoo.com
web site www.scbeautypageants.com
When
is Scout Day?
Saturday,
October 18, 2008
Girl
Scouts in Official Scout Uniform, Pin, and Sash or
Vest admitted free from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Don't miss
the Girl Scout Sing-A-Long on the WLTX
Stage at 12:30 PM.
Boy
Scouts in Official Scout Uniform or Scout
Cap & T-shirt admitted free from
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
 
Who
operates the Midway (games & rides) ?
Midway Guest Relations
Located in Midway under Sky Ride for ride and game issues.
North
American Midway Entertainment
is the midway vendor for the South Carolina State Fair.
PEPSI®
Grandstand
Please note: Concert tickets do not include gate admission to the Fair.
PEPSI® Grandstand Concert Seating Chart
Grandstand Floor
East Bleachers
West Bleachers
North Bleachers
How
do I register my students to perform on the 2008 WIS Spirit
of Carolina Stage? REGISTRATION PERIOD HAS ENDED FOR 2008.
Complete a registration
form found below and submit to the SC State Fair. Registration period ends June 30, 2008. Registration
period ends June 30, 2008.
For additional
information, contact Lauren Funderburk at 803-799-3387
ext. 15.
- WIS
Spirit of Carolina Stage Registration Letter
- Registration
Form
Registration Period is over...links disabled.
How
do I apply to be an entertainer at the SC State Fair?
Submit promotional
materials by November 30 for consideration for the next
year's fair to:
SC State Fair
Attn: L. Funderburk
P. O. Box 393
Columbia SC 29202
2008 Horse Show Schedule - Abernathy
Arena
Click
here for 2008 Horse Show Pocket Schedule (updated 7/16/08)
Paso Fino
Horse Exhibition
Thursday, October 9
Youth & Open Horse Show
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12
Carolinas Mounted Patrol Assn. Exhibition
Formation Riding, Training Techniques, Crowd Control & Posse Polo/Soccer
Wednesday & Thursday, October 15 & 16
Donkey & Mule Show sponsored by the
SC Donkey & Mule Association
Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18
Open Fun Show for Horses, Donkeys & Mules sponsored by the SC Donkey & Mule Association
Sunday, October 19
Ground
Conveniences
- Guest Services (Located in Heath Building near Rocket)
- Information Booth
- Lost and Found - Telephone (803) 252-2338
- First Aid Station - Open 9:00 AM - 12:00 midnight
- Paging/Sound Booth
- Pay Telephones
- ATM Machines
Conveniently located throughout fairgrounds.
- Hand Washing Stations
Located around the Livestock barns; All Fair
guests (adults & children) are encouraged to use the
hand washing stations frequently and especially upon exiting
the Livestock area. Parents, please diligently inspect
your childrens' shoes, stroller wheels, etc. upon exiting
any barn or livestock area. Encourage your children to
wash their hands with soap and water frequently during
their fair visit.
- Information Booths
Located at North & South Gates and Guest Services (Heath Building).
Located in Midway under Sky Ride for ride and game issues.
- Rest Rooms
Conveniently located throughout fairgrounds for ladies
and gentlemen.
- Security
Command Post located across from Pepsi® Grandstand
next to the Restrooms; Richland County Sheriff's Department
Deputies patrol 24/7 for your protection.
Located inside South Gate Entrance.
Rentals (Located inside both North & South Gates)
- Baby Stroller rental is available at the rate of $7 per day.
- Kid's Wagons/Cars rental is available at the rate of $10 per day.
- Push Wheel Chair rental is available at the rate of $15 per day.
- Electric Wheel Chair rental is available at the rate of $40 per day...or return within four hours and receive $10 refund.
Where
is Lost & Found located?
Guest Services,
located in the Heath Building (across from the
Rocket) next to the Dowling Administrative Building.
Telephone (803) 252-9332 during the 12 days of the Fair. During the rest of the year, telephone Main Fair Office at (803) 799-3387 ext. 10.
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Tickets
Commercial Exhibitors & Concessionaires
Competitive Exhibits Online Premium Guide
Daily Schedule of Events & Entertainment 
Directions to Fair, Lodgings & Campgrounds
Fair Food
FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)
General Rules & Regulations
Grandstand Entertainment 
History of the SC State Fair
Kiddie & Major Rides
Map of the Fair
Sponsorship Opportunities
