South Carolina State Fair Announces 2024 Lineup: New Entertainment, Foods, South Carolina-Themed Exhibit and More
South Carolina’s largest event returns to Columbia, S.C., Oct. 9-20
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Monday, Oct. 7, 2024) — The South Carolina State Fair, the state’s largest event, is gearing up for its highly anticipated return Oct. 9-20, bringing 12 days of live entertainment, mouthwatering food and unforgettable experiences to Columbia, S.C. This year’s S.C. State Fair will feature more than a dozen new foods, the debut of the South Carolina Grown Marketplace and the Rocket Plaza, as well as a South Carolina-themed exhibit representing all 46 counties.
“Our guests can look forward to many fair favorites with a variety of surprises around every corner, including new fair foods, several South Carolina-themed attractions and local shopping opportunities,” says S.C. State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith. “From agriculture and art competitions to craft and historical demonstrations, there will be numerous opportunities to learn about and see the amazing work and talents of our fellow South Carolinians.”
In addition to adding more flavors and fun, the S.C. State Fair has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Highway Patrol to introduce a new traffic pattern to help ensure smoother access to and from the fairgrounds. The fair has also updated its clear bag policy and extended its Youth Admission Policy to enhance security and promote a family-friendly environment.
“We’re always looking for ways to make the S.C. State Fair experience better for our guests, and this year is no exception,” says Smith. “We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and enjoyable environment where everyone can create lasting memories.”
2024 South Carolina State Fair Lineup:
In line with this year’s theme, “46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina,” fairgoers can explore two exciting new attractions: the South Carolina Grown Marketplace and the 46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina exhibit.
In addition, for those known to meet their loved ones at the Rocket, there will be even more entertainment near the North Gate at the new Rocket Plaza.
South Carolina Grown Marketplace
Visit the South Carolina Grown Marketplace, located in Rosewoods Ballroom, to support local businesses while experiencing the true spirit of South Carolina. Explore an array of handcrafted goods, farm-fresh produce and unique treasures, all proudly created, grown or made in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.scstatefair.org/attractions/themed-attractions/.
The 46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina exhibit will uncover the rich history, vibrant culture and natural beauty of every corner of the Palmetto State through displays dedicated to each of the 46 counties of South Carolina. Along with the opportunity to learn something new, fairgoers will have the chance to mark their county on a giant map of South Carolina. Guests can also join the fun at County Karaoke, where they can sing a song that lists all 46 counties in alphabetical order, just like the students at Satchel Ford Elementary School. Special guests and entertainers will be scheduled to visit throughout the fair. The exhibit is located in the Ruff Building and is included with fair admission. Visit www.scstatefair.org/attractions/themed-attractions/ to learn more.
Located near the iconic Rocket and the North Gate, the Rocket Plaza is a new, go-to destination for excitement at the fair. This newly introduced area will be packed with entertainment acts and plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat, refuel and relax. The following entertainment will perform at the Rocket Plaza. Visit www.scstatefair.org/attractions/rocket-plaza/ to learn more.
- Cast in Bronze, a mesmerizing musical performance by world-class musician Charlie St. Cyr-Paul, showcases the majestic sounds of the carillon, the largest percussion instrument in the world.
- The Farmer’s Daughter is a high-energy, farm-themed show featuring Molly’s entertaining mix of gymnastics, rope tricks, and a unique milk bottle walk, delivering nonstop laughter and fun for the whole family.
- The Silver Starlets dazzle with their glamorous, high-energy aerial performance on a 20-foot trapeze rig, blending strength, grace, and humor to captivate audiences of all ages with their sparkling charm.
- Major League Sports Show is hosted by the lively Paz the Sports Guy. This doubleheader features the Major League Circus Show, blending baseball with acrobatics, followed by the Touchdown Circus, combining the excitement of football with thrilling circus performances for nonstop fun.
With more than 90 food stands, the S.C. State Fair is a haven for food lovers. In addition to the beloved classics such as foot-long corn dogs, elephant ears, lemonade, turkey legs and fried Oreos, guests can enjoy more than a dozen new food and drink options, including strawberry dragon fruit lemonade, poutine burgers, peach cobbler funnel cakes, deep fried golden Oreos and more. For the second year in a row, along with the warm cookies and milk available at the Pro Kitchen Cookie Kitchen, you can pair your cookies with hot or iced coffee from Oliver Gospel Mission. For more information on the new food items and to view a map of all food vendors, visit scstatefair.org/food.
With an awe-inspiring lineup of nearly 70 rides, this year’s S.C. State Fair is sure to create memories for fairgoers of all ages — from thrilling sky-high adventures to family-friendly classic rides. The S.C. State Fair will offer pay-one-price (POP) rides every day. Patrons can enjoy unlimited rides on any one day of the fair including weekends. Alternatively, guests can choose a reloadable card with 90 ride tickets, which can be used across multiple days throughout the fair. Visit www.scstatefair.org/attractions/rides/ to learn more.
The S.C. State Fair will feature an exciting lineup of entertainment, including daily shows at the CIRCUS at the Fair, live music on the Pepsi Place Stage and Academic Avenue Stage, roving entertainers throughout the fairgrounds, and historical demonstrations at Heritage Village. Visit www.scstatefair.org/entertainment/ to learn more.
- CIRCUS at the Fair: The free, daily CIRCUS at the Fair is returning for a fifth year and will feature fresh new acts and a never-before-seen show. The CIRCUS, located beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance, will perform three 40-minute shows each day. Shows begin at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Daily admission is free with your fair admission ticket. Visit scstatefair.org/entertainment/circus-at-the-fair/ to learn more. Led by Ringmaster Ian Garden, the CIRCUS acts will include performances from:
- Wheel of Destiny (acrobatics)
- The Remarkable Renaldo and Little Lou (clowns)
- Nilson Escobar (juggling)
- Aidan Bryant (aerial act)
- Brian Miser (human cannonball)
- Abril Amore (aerial act)
- Pepsi Place Stage: The following performances will take place on the Pepsi Place Stage. Visit scstatefair.org/entertainment/pepsi-place-stage/ to learn more.
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- The TAMS, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
- The Best of Everything, A Tribute to Tom Petty, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.
- Dracula, sneak peek presented by South Carolina Ballet, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
- Cloverdayle, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
- Columbia’s Praise S.C. State Fair Unity Fest, Presented by Columbia’s Praise 95.7 FM, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m.
- Armed Services Veterans Band, Oct. 14 at noon
- Britishmania, Beatles Tribute Band, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
- Jason Sikes Tribute to Elvis, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
- ABBAMANIA — Abba Tribute, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
- Tokyo Joe, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
- Eloveation, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
- Marcel Portilla Band, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
- Melvin Crispell III for the WFMV Glory Night at the S.C. State Fair, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
- Main Street Entertainment: Palmetto State singer Carl Brunson returns to the S.C. State Fair this year to serenade fairgoers with a mix of pop, variety, Motown, blues and more.
- Academic Avenue Stage: Musical shows, comedians and even hypnosis are part of an incredible lineup of Academic Avenue stage shows that will capture audiences of all ages.
- The Boiled Peanut Eating Contest is the event to attend, where local celebrities accept the challenge to learn who can eat the most boiled peanuts at the S.C. State Fair!
- Dennis Lee Band returns again as a South Carolina State Fair favorite for the last 42 years!
- Jess Kellie Adams brings a unique sound blending classic country styling with a rock and roll edge.
- Ron Diamond returns with comedy, hypnosis and illusion on the Academic Avenue Stage.
- Renata the Band, a sibling trio, will perform on the Academic Avenue Stage years after watching their own parents perform at the S.C. State Fair.
- Netterfield Stage: Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the intermittent shows by J. Scott Thompson and Michael Mango.
- Michael Mango (Oct. 9-13) draws from soul, pop and rock, with influences rooted in music from the 1980s.
- Scott Thompson (Oct. 14-20) brings a captivating blend of Southern charm and undeniable talent to his performances.
- Roving Acts: Around every corner, the amazing roving entertainers will have visitors creating unforgettable fair memories. The roving acts will include performances from:
- Carrie McQueen (stilt walker)
- Marc Dobson (one-man band)
- The Amazing Aydar (unicyclist)
- The Ice Cream Comedy Show (comedian)
- Denny the Clown (clown)
- Stilt Fun with Mike Weakley (stilt walker)
- Heritage Village: A visit to the Heritage Village offers fairgoers a journey back in time, with reconstructed historical structures, traditional crafts and demonstrations that showcase the daily lives of early settlers. This year’s display features two newcomers to the area: “Albert A. Rasch: Veteran, Craftsman and Primitive Skills Expert,” highlighting historical reenactments and metalworking, and “Experience Traditional Woodworking with Kaleo Simmons,” demonstrating the creation of handcrafted items such as spoons, barrels, and bows, providing an engaging look into the craftsmanship of the past.
- Art, Crafts and Flowers
The S.C. State Fair celebrates the talents of local horticulturists, artisans and artists with a range of exhibits and competitions. Flower displays in the Cantey Building feature potted plants, cut flowers and a new South Carolina Native Plants and Design Contest, while the Moore Building showcases creative entries in crafts, quilting, baking and more, including new contests like the S.C. Dip Showdown and the Spirit of Carolina Award. Additionally, the fair hosts one of the finest art shows on the East Coast, highlighting the work of amateur, professional and student artists in various media, with the new Spirit of Carolina Award recognizing artwork that best embodies the essence of South Carolina.
The S.C. State Fair, deeply rooted in agriculture, offers a variety of competitions and exhibits highlighting the state’s rich farming traditions. Visitors can enjoy home-grown produce displays, the new S.C. Seed Art-iculture contest featuring seed mosaics, and the From Field to Fair program with interactive games about farming and sustainability. Daily showcases from McLeod Farms in the Ellison Building will feature locally made or grown products, while livestock exhibits provide an up-close look at farm animals and their care. New this year is the Spirit of South Carolina youth horse costume contest, plus lively attractions like the Swifty Swine Racing Pigs and the Commerford Petting Zoo, adding excitement for all ages.
The S.C. State Fair offers the following daily promotions:
- Children: All children 5 and under will be admitted FREE every day.
- Pay-one-price (POP) Ride Days: The S.C. State Fair will once again feature Pay-One-Price (POP) ride days every day. Patrons can enjoy one day of unlimited rides by exchanging a ride voucher for a POP wristband at specially marked ticket booths.
- Seniors (55 and older): $15 admission every day, except on Senior’s Day on Wednesday, Oct. 16, when admission is $5 at the gate only.
- Lunch Bunch: Pop in and out of the S.C. State Fair for lunch with a special lunch bunch ticket, available from noon-2 p.m. each weekday (except Wednesday, Oct. 9). Pay your entry fee and receive a refundable $20 ticket. Return to the ticket booth with the ticket by 2 p.m. to get your $20 back.
- American Tribute: Every day at noon, the American flag will be raised on the main flagpole outside the Cantey Building near the South Gate and the National Anthem will be played across the PA system.
The S.C. State Fair offers the following special promotion days:
- 9 (Opening Day!) – $5 admission at the gate
- 10 – Military Appreciation Day
- 10 – South Carolina Farm Bureau Day
- 12 – 4-H Day
- 12 – S.C. Votes Day
- 13 – Free admission with official 2024 Walk for Life and Famously Hot Walk/Race t-shirt.
- 13 – First Choice by Select Health Day
- 14 – College Day
- 14 – Military Appreciation Day
- 15 – Future Farmers of America Day
- Oct 15 – Physics Day
- Oct 16 – Seniors Day
- Oct 16 – Joe Pinner Day
- 17 – Sensory-Friendly Morning
- 17 – Exceptional Citizens Day
- 17 – Military Appreciation Day
- 18 – HIS Radio 92.1 Family Day
For a complete list of daily and special promotions, visit www.scstatefair.org/plan-your-visit/promotions/. For the daily events calendar, visit www.scstatefair.org/fair-calendar.
A new traffic pattern will be implemented to help ensure smoother arrivals and departures to the fairgrounds, including additional entrance and exit locations, improved parking procedures, and enhanced street signage. Guests can now enter or exit the fairgrounds more efficiently through Gate 10 and Gate 6. Gate 7 has been added as a new entrance gate with two lanes in, and Gate 8 has been expanded to feature two lanes out for quicker exits. Visit www.scstatefair.org/plan-your-visit/parking/ to learn more.
To promote a family-friendly environment, the S.C. State Fair has updated its Youth Admission Policy, which outlines important guidelines for minors attending the fair. From Sundays to Thursdays after 5 p.m., guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old to enter the fairgrounds. All day on Fridays and Saturdays, all guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 21 years old to enter the fairgrounds. Visit www.scstatefair.org/plan-your-visit/fair-rules-safety/ to learn more.
To provide a safe environment, the S.C. State Fair has updated its mandatory clear bag policy. This year all bags must be clear with two exceptions. This policy is similar to those implemented throughout Columbia, S.C., and the country, complying with a new level of security expected of large, heavily attended events and festivals. Visit www.scstatefair.org/plan-your-visit/fair-rules-safety/ to learn more.
Discount admission tickets are $10 per person ($15-$20 during the fair) and discount ride vouchers are $32 per person ($40-$42 during the fair). Visit a participating Circle K location or SCStateFair.org to purchase discount tickets now through Tuesday, Oct. 8.
About the South Carolina State Fair
The South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was organized in 1869 and is dedicated to preserving and promoting South Carolina’s agricultural roots while supporting statewide education. In addition to the 12-day South Carolina State Fair, the charitable organization manages annual football parking, is a popular event venue, and has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships since 1997.
More information can be found at SCStateFair.org.
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