DOSWELL—The State Fair of Virginia returns to The Meadow Event Park Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, bringing 10 days of livestock shows, competitions, concerts, rides, fair food and family-friendly entertainment to Caroline County.
For visitors, a little planning can make the day smoother—and may save money. Online ticket sales, parking details, security policies, ride information and guest amenities are posted at StateFairVa.org, and fair officials encourage guests to review them before coming out.
New this year: Guests will need to pay with a credit or debit card at the main ticket plaza and alcohol sales locations. A reverse ATM will be located at the main entry restroom as well as Meadow Hall where guests can exchange cash for a card.
The fair’s Ticket Plaza will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Amusement rides open at 11 a.m., and the Midway will continue operating for at least an hour after the Ticket Plaza closes, or longer on weekends at the discretion of fair management. Buildings will remain open until 9 p.m., and no gate tickets will be sold at the Ticket Plaza after 8 p.m.
“Every visitor has favorite fair traditions they look forward to each year, whether it’s seeing the livestock, enjoying a concert, riding the Midway or sampling classic fair food,” said Marlene Jolliffe, the fair’s executive director. “But there’s always something new to discover too. We encourage guests to plan ahead, check the schedule and make the most of everything that’s included with their State Fair admission.”
Find details online at StateFairVa.org.
The following tips can enhance your State Fair experience:
Tickets & Discounts
Visitors can save on admission and ride tickets by purchasing online before the State Fair of Virginia opens Sept. 25. Advance online tickets are available through Sept. 22. During that period, adult admission tickets are $14.50, while children’s tickets for ages 5-17 are $12. Children 4 and younger are admitted free.
Several advance-sale packages are available exclusively online, including family passes and ride wristband packages.
Starting Sept. 23, online admission prices increase. Adult admission purchased online costs $15 Monday through Thursday, and $19 Friday through Sunday. Children’s admission is $13 Monday through Thursday, and $17 Friday through Sunday. Farm Bureau member admission remains $10 when purchased online.
Gate prices during the fair are $17 for adults and $16 for children Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday, admission is $21 for adults and $18 for children. Farm Bureau members pay $14 Monday through Thursday, and $16 Friday through Sunday when purchasing tickets at the gate. Ticket purchases at the gate are cashless only.
Midway wristbands purchased during the fair are $32 Monday through Thursday, and $35 Friday through Sunday.
Special admission prices are available for seniors age 65 and older and military members and veterans. Seniors pay $14 Monday through Thursday, and $18 Friday through Sunday. Military and veteran admission also is $14 Monday through Thursday, and $18 Friday through Sunday. Military discounts are available at the gate only and apply to active-duty, reserve, National Guard and retired military members, as well as qualified veterans and one guest.
Guests can take advantage of two discount promotions:
- State Fair Cares Day will be held Sept. 29. Visitors who donate two school supplies, two canned food items or a pair of new winter gloves can receive $10 gate admission between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Donations will benefit area nonprofits.
- The Early Bird Midway Special will be offered Sept. 25, and Sept. 28 through Oct. 2. Guests can purchase a $20 midway wristband online and enjoy unlimited rides until 4 p.m. if a wristband is purchased before 1 p.m.
Tickets and additional information are available at statefairva.org.
Parking
General parking is free. Fairgoers using the main free parking areas should follow signs to the lots and note where they parked before heading to the Ticket Plaza.
Parking lot trams may be available to help visitors get to and from their vehicles. Guests should look for marked tram stops and remember the nearest pole number or lot marker to help find their vehicles at the end of the day.
Accessible parking is available for authorized users. Guests should display their parking placard or decal so attendants can direct them to the appropriate area.
Premium parking pass holders should enter Gate 2 at The Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd. in Doswell.
Security
Guest safety is fair organizers’ No. 1 priority. That is why the State Fair is staffed by licensed security professionals, Virginia State Police and local law enforcement.
Bag checks and security screening should be expected at the entrance. Weapons of any kind—including guns, knives and pocketknives—are prohibited on the property. Guests are asked to leave those items in their vehicles before purchasing tickets.
Fairgoers may bring non-glass containers of food or water, along with lawn chairs and blankets. Selfie sticks are prohibited.
Pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals must be trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability; comfort or emotional support animals do not meet that definition.
A first aid station will be available on the grounds, and emergency medical responders will be onsite throughout the fair. Guests should check the fair map upon arrival for the current first aid location and other amenities.
Hours, Rides and Amenities
Guests who need to leave the grounds and return the same day should get a hand stamp at the Ticket Plaza before exiting.
Amusement rides begin at 11 a.m. daily. Height, weight and adult-accompaniment requirements vary by ride and attraction and will be posted onsite.
Private areas for nursing mothers are available in the Farm Bureau Center and in the Kidway by Virginia College Savings Plan area.
Guests may bring wheelchairs, motorized scooters or strollers. Rentals also are expected to be available near the Ticket Plaza on a first-come, first-served basis for a daily fee.
For details on more State Fair amenities, visit the FAQ page on StateFairVa.org.
Getting There
For general fair traffic, the GPS address for free parking is 13048 Meadow Farm Road, Doswell, VA 23047. From I-95, take Exit 98 and travel 1½ miles east on state Route 30.
During peak travel times, consider alternate routes: take U.S. Route 301 to state Route 30 and travel about 3 miles west on Route 30, or take U.S. Route 1 to state Route 30 and travel about 2 miles east on Route 30. Guests using Uber, Lyft, a taxi or another ride-share service should use 13048 Meadow Farm Road, Doswell, VA 23047, follow signage to the main free parking lots and consider reserving a return ride in advance.
The State Fair of Virginia is partnering with DRIVE SMART Virginia to remind you to buckle up and limit driver distractions to get home safely.
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.
The State Fair is held each fall at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County and attracts over 200,000 fairgoers. The event celebrates the best of Virginia’s past, present and future through scholarship initiatives, creative programming and a focus on the commonwealth’s agriculture and natural resources industries. Since 2013 the State Fair has awarded 2,903 scholarships and over $1.15 million to support youth education. The fair offers youth more than $100,000 each year in scholarship funds through 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions and specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.
