The Delaware State Fair is celebrating 100 years of family fun in 2019! Below you will find information on some of the activities, entertainment, and more at this year's fair!
Gates open daily at 8am and close at 11pm. Carnival rides open at 1pm.
Tickets are $9 for adults (13 years of age or older), $4 for kids aged 6-12 years, and free for children under 5 years old. Tickets can be purchased on delawarestatefair.com
- NOTE: Gate times and ticket prices are different ONLY on Thursday, July 18. Gates open at 12pm, carnival rides open at 5pm. Adult tickets are just $5.
THURSDAY, JULY 18th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo, Helicopter rides, Hollywood Racing Pigs, Camel Show
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
- Get a scoop of UDairy Creamery ice cream
- See a baby chick hatch
- Kids of all ages are encouraged to explore the world of giant trucks
- The ROOST beer and wine garden for a cool beverage, great food and yard games!
- Cooking demonstrations with the Food Bank of Delaware
- 4-H Talent Show
- Wade Midway opens @ 5pm
- Nightly parade @ 7pm
- Fireworks @ 10pm
CONCERT: Sugarland with special guest Drew Park. Gates will open at 6:30 PM, the show will start at 7:30 PM. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
FRIDAY, JULY 19th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
It's Pepsi Day! Present a Pepsi can with the imprinted coupon or a coupon from a bottleneck hanger or a local restaurant place mat to receive $2 off an adult gate admission.
- Grand Bar Cookie Competition
- Poultry Judging - 9a-11a
- Yoga with goats - 9:30a-11a
- 4-H Public Speaking Contest @6pm
- Delaware Electric Co-op's Lineman Pole Rodeo @6pm
- Clydesdale Parade Hitching @ 6pm
CONCERT: Live at the M&T Bank Grandstand it’s Brothers Osborne with special guest Jackson Dean. Gates will open at 6:30 and the show will start at 7:30. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
SATURDAY, JULY 20th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
- Junior Flower Arranging contest
- Hockey Shoot Out Challenge
- Lego Building contest - 10a-1p
- Arts and crafts demos thanks to the First State Woodturners
- 4-H Photography judging
- Delaware Duck and Goose Calling contest
- Goat Yoga
- Nightly performance by the Red Head Express
CONCERT: Reba McEntire live on stage. Gates open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
SUNDAY, JULY 21st EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
- Rabbit Show from – 9am – 1pm
- Crazy over Cupcakes Competition @ 1p
- 4-H Consumer Champions Bowl @1p
- Junior Dairy Cattle Show @ 4p Stop by the Roost Beer and Wine Garden Check out the Red Head Express live at 6pm
- Smyrna Citizens’ Hose Marching Band
ENTERTAINMENT: The Demolition Derby 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the M&T Bank Grandstand. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
MONDAY, JULY 22nd EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
It's Food Lion Hunger Relief Day! Bring Food Lion brand non-perishables and receive one free gate admission. It's also Senior Day! Anyone aged 60 or older gets free gate admission.
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales (from 8am-7pm)
- Blueberry Blowout Contest
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo - pet a giraffe (from 11am-9pm)
- Touch-a-Truck - kids can explore the world of giant trucks, construction equipment, etc. (from 11am-11pm)
- Meet & Greet with a T-Rex @12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5:30pm
- Hockey Shootout (from 1-4pm then from 5-8pm)
- Circus Hollywood at 12pm and 5pm
- Hollywood Racing Pigs @ 2pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- Homemade Ice Cream Making Contest @ 3pm
- Red Head Express live performance @ 6:15pm and 8:15pm
- Camel Show @ 6:30pm
- Delaware State Fair Nightly Parade @ 7pm
- Vocal Trash live performance @7:15pm
- Fireworks show @ 10pm
CONCERT: Dan and Shay with Filmore at the M&T Bank Grandstand! Gates open at 6:30pm. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
TUESDAY, JULY 23rd EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
It's Kids Day at the Delaware State Fair! All children ages 12 and under get into the fair for free.
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales (from 8am-7pm)
- Kids Using Cake Mix Competition (from 9am-11am)
- Healthy Kids Health Fair (from 9am-2pm)
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo - pet a giraffe (from 11am-9pm)
- Delaware State Championship Youth Pedal Tractor Pull - kids pull tractors @2pm
- Meet & Greet with a T-Rex @12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5:30pm
- Hollywood Racing Pigs @ 2pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- Red Head Express live performance @ 6:15pm and 8:15pm
- Family Feud with 47 ABC @6:30pm
- Del Dot's Bike Safety Rodeo
- 4-H Livestock judging
- Delaware State Fair Nightly Parade at 7pm
- Livestock Extravaganza - reserve and grand champions will be announced (from 7-9pm)
- Fireworks show @10pm
CONCERT: Bethel Music with Stars Go Dim at the M&T Bank Grandstand. Gates open @6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
It's Armed Forces Day at the Delaware State Fair! Show your Military ID for free gate admission. Plus, don't miss an evening flyover and extra special parade.
- Fifer Orchard's (Fifer sounds like lifer) Peach Dessert Contest
- Stop by the Roost Beer and Wine Garden
- Check out Vocal Trash...a fan-favorite band that combines acappella and instruments made out of up-cycled materials
- FFA & 4-H Horse Judging
- 4-H Tractor Driving Contest @11am
- Touch-a-Truck - kids can explore the world of giant trucks, construction equipment, etc. (from 11am-11pm)
- Meet & Greet with a T-Rex @12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5:30pm
- Stop by the Roost Beer and Wine Garden (opens at 12pm)
- Circus Hollywood performances @5pm and 8:30pm
- Hollywood Racing Pigs @ 2pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- Parade @ 7pm
CONCERT / ENTERTAINMENT: Darci Lynne performs live at the M&T Bank Grandstand. Show starts at 8pm. To purchase tickets visit delawarestatefair.com
THURSDAY, JULY 25th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
It's Governor's Day/Senior Day! Gov. Carney will visit the fair today, plus anyone aged 60 or older gets free gate admission!
- Take a helicopter ride for an amazing view of the fair
- Get a scoop of UDairy Creamery ice cream and visit with Delaware's elected officials.
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales (from 8am-7pm)
- Creative Cooking for Kids Brownie, Bar Cookie, or Other Cookie Competition (registration begins @ 9:30)
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo - pet a giraffe (from 11am-9pm)
- DNREC Volunteer Olympic Games (from 11am - 1pm)
- Touch-a-Truck - kids can explore the world of giant trucks, construction equipment, etc. (from 11am-11pm)
- Pig Kissing Contest @ 3pm - contestants try to raise the most money for the Junior Exhibitor Scholarship so they don't have to kiss the pig
- See the Citizens Hose Marching Band at 7:30pm
- Red Head Express live performance @ 6:15pm and 8:15pm
- Circus Hollywood @ 5pm and 8:30pm
- Parade @ 7pm
ENTERTAINMENT: Harness Racing presented by Harrington Raceway and Casino at M&T Bank Grandstand.
FRIDAY, JULY 26th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
- 4-H Archery competition (from 12:30pm - 4pm)
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
- Don't miss the Pretty Animal contest featuring junior exhibitors dressing up with their animals.
- Stop by the Roost Beer and Wine Garden (opens at 12pm)
- Friday Pie Day - pie judging contest (from 9:30am-11am)
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo - pet a giraffe (from 11am-9pm)
- Circus Hollywood @ 12pm, 5pm and 8:30pm
- Hollywood Racing Pigs @ 2pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- Parade @ 7pm Fireworks show @ 10pm
CONCERT: Brantley Gilbert with Cale Dodds at M&T Bank Grandstand. Show begins at 8pm. Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
SATURDAY, JULY 27th EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Today is the last day of the 2019 Delaware State Fair.
- Check out the women and youth horseshoe pitching contest
- Chocolate Temptation Contest
- Enjoy the Prehistoric Dinosaur Adventures featuring a thrilling up-close encounters with The King of Dinosaurs, "Tyrannosaurus Rex!" Meet & Greet with a T-Rex @12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 5:30pm
- Hollywood Racing Pigs @ 2pm, 4pm, 7:30pm
- Giraffic Menagerie Petting Zoo - pet a giraffe (from 11am-9pm)
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales (from 8am-7pm)
- Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe @3pm
- Mountaire's Chicken Pickin Contest - watch and laugh as these competitors attempt to get the most meat off the baked bird (starts @ 3pm)
CONCERT: An Evening with Gladys Knight at M&T Bank Grandstand! Gates open @7pm, show begins @8pm Tickets available at delawarestatefair.com
LIST OF VARIOUS FAIR ACTIVITIES:
- Don't miss out on the Camel show!
- See the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales
- Get a scoop of UDairy Creamery ice cream
- See a baby chick hatch
- Kids of all ages are encouraged to explore the world of giant trucks
- The ROOST beer and wine garden for a cool beverage, great food and yard games!
- Cooking demonstrations with the Food Bank of Delaware
- Try out some fun educational games in the AgVenture Tent: corn pit, milking cow display, and much more!
- Visit Circus Hollywood for acrobats, animals, stunts, clowns, and much more!
- Meet and feed Twiggs the giraffe and his friends at the Giraffe Menagerie Petting Zoo!
- On your mark! Get set! Go! Watch the Hollywood Racing Pigs in their new location: Machinery Lot!
- Get up close and personal as you travel back in time with the King of Dinosaurs “Tyrannosaurus Rex” at the walk through Dinosaur Museum!
- See the Milford Community Band perform live at the Main Gate!
- Buy your tickets and enjoy a day on the Carnival Rides!
- Watch the fireworks, presented by M&T Bank, light up the sky on the 19th and the 25th!
- Watch and laugh at the competitors in the Mountaire's Chickin' Pickin' Contest. Who can get the most meat off of the baked bird?
- Grab a spot along the parade route to enjoy the Delaware State Fair nightly parade. The parade features floats, antique tractors, horses, and other traditional fair parade attractions!
- Listen to the bands in the Plaza following the parade.
- Watch the Pig Kissing Contest! Contestants try to raise the most money for the Junior Exhibitor Scholarship so they don't have to kiss the pig.
- Watch children ages 5-17 compete in the Lego Building Contest! Now in the Quillen Arena.
- Come learn a little about agriculture at the FFA Agriculture Education Center!
- Sample plenty of sweet treats - especially fried Oreos
- Junior Exhibitors dress up their animals and compete to see who has the prettiest animals and best themes!
- Take a helicopter ride in the air and see the fair from a different angle!
- Watch some of Delaware's youth as they exhibit the combination of hard work and determination that it takes to raise the best animals in Delaware!
- Watch the LIVE cooking demonstrations
- Get up close and personal with the animals in the DNREC building.
- Don't miss the Rabbit Show in the Poultry Barn!
- Come check out the Delaware Electric Cooperative Linemen’s Pole Rodeo as you watch the linemen perform a variety of events that include hurt man rescue, cross arm change out, and a climbing obstacle course!
- Watch as contestants race to hand milk their goats to get the most milk at the Dairy Goat Milking Contest
- Participate or Visit the Delaware Homebrew Contest, where competitors showcase their best brews, in hopes of becoming the Delaware Homebrew Champion.
- Participate in, or taste samplings of the Fifer Orchards’ Peach Dessert Contest!
- Watch as baby ducks find their way down the slide and into the water!
- Walk through our Marketplace Tent, which is packed with a varied collection of vendors!
- Come to the Dover Building to learn how to Knit and Crochet
- Walk around the machinery lot to see the latest technology and equipment that keeps our farms running today, plus this make for a great spot for pictures!
- Don't miss out on a chance to do or watch Yoga with Goats!