Everything you need to know about the Arizona State Fair 2019: food, rides, deals, discounts, and parking

The Arizona State Fair is back in town!

From all the deep-fried treats and turkey legs to the nightly concerts, rides, games, monster truck shows, rodeo, and livestock competitions, there are a lot of activities happening at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, Oct. 4-27, 2019.

Before you head down, consider this your easy-to-read guide to the new fair foods, rides, and events, plus how to save on admission, where to park, and what people can and cannot bring into the fair.

FAST FACTS

• The Arizona State Fair runs Oct. 4-27, 2019 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85007 (19th Avenue and McDowell Road).
• It is open Wednesday - Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesdays.
• The hours are Wednesday & Thursdays, noon to. 9 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 10 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Regular admission is $8-$12; kids four and younger are always free; parking is $5-$10

WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR?

Meet Titan: Titan is the newest thrill ride from Ray Cammack Shows. It is a pendulum ride that sends riders 160 feet -- or 17 stories -- into the air and propels them back toward the ground, potentially reaching up to 4Gs.

Museum of Monsters: An exhibition where people can take selfies with monsters and creepy creatures. There is a $5 entry fee.

Retro Arcade: Cobra Arcade, an arcade bar in downtown Phoenix, will have some of its classic arcade games and pinball machines at the fair for people to play.

Esports Gaming World: For those looking to take a break from the fair games, ESports will have computer, console, and virtual reality games, including daily tournaments, for people to play. There is no additional cost to walk around the exhibition, but some games may require an additional fee. More information.

New food: Of course, you cannot have a state fair without treats to try. Some of the new foods this year include a churro sundae, doughnuts on a stick, charcoal ice cream, a fruit cup, a pickle stuffed with Flamin' Hot Cheetos, cotton candy birthday funnel cake, and coffee funnel cake.

SAVE SOME MONEY WITH THESE DISCOUNTS & PROMOTIONS

Regular admission is $8-$12, though there are more than a dozen ways for people to get one or two free admission tickets. Details on the fair's promotions are below.

Admission discounts

• Oct. 5 - Kids Day: Kids under 12 get into the fair for free. No coupon needed.
• Oct. 5 - Teacher Appreciation Day: Arizona teachers can get into the fair for free. Make sure to bring your valid Arizona teacher ID.
• Oct. 16 - Friends 55+ Day: Those 55 and up can get two free admission tickets. Deal is valid from noon to 6 p.m. Download coupon.
• Oct. 9, 16, & 23 - We Care Wednesdays: Bring in six (6) non-perishable food items and receive one adult admission ticket. Valid noon to 6 p.m. (Not accepted: bottled water, baby food, Ramen noodles, and items in glass containers.)
• Oct. 10, 17 & 24 - Free Nooner Thursdays: Fair admission is free between noon and 1 p.m.
• Oct. 11 - College Day: College students get free admission, noon to 6 p.m. Make sure to bring your college ID.
• Oct. 12 - Breast Cancer Awareness Day: Wear any breast cancer awareness t-shirt and receive one free admission. Valid 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Encanto gate only.
• Oct. 18 - Armed Forces Day: Veterans get free admission, noon to 6 p.m. You have to claim tickets via VetTix.org.
• Oct. 18 - Phoenix Mercury Day: Wear a Phoenix Mercury shirt and get free fair admission. Valid noon to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 4, 11, 18, & 25: Free Fry's Friday: Spend $50 or more at any Fry's grocery store and receive two free adult admission tickets. The tickets will be printed at the bottom of the receipt, which you have to bring to the fair. Valid until 6 p.m. on days listed.
• Every Friday - Taste of the Fair: Find $3 snacks at some of the food tents.
• Every Saturday and Sunday - Early Bird Admission: Fair entry is $5 before 2 p.m. (admission is normally $8-$12)
• Ongoing - Dairy Dollars Discount: Purchase $10 of milk, cheese, or yogurt and receive a free child's ticket. Bring receipt to the fair.
• Ongoing - Arizona Lottery and Circle K: Buy $10 in Arizona Lottery tickets from Circle K and receive 50% off adult admission.

Ride promotions

Every Wednesday - $3 rides and games from noon to 6 p.m.
Every Thursday - Unlimited ride wristbands can be bought for $35 before 8 p.m.
Every Sunday: Unlimited ride wristbands can be bought for $50 before 8 p.m.
Ongoing - Read and Ride: Kids can receive three ride tickets for reading three books. Parents, a guardian, or a teacher have to fill out this form.

NIGHTLY CONCERTS

All of the concerts are included with fair admission. However, tickets can be purchased for those who would like a guaranteed seat closer to the stage. The cost of reserved tickets vary by artist, but most start at $30. The fair is also offering a $100 VIP option this year. Some have sold out, a spokesperson said.

Oct. 4 - Billy Currington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 - The Cult, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 - Stryper, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 - Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 - Fiesta Friday: NB Ridaz, Lil Rob, DJ Kane, and Kid Frost, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 - Lee Brice, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 - Matthew West & Zach Williams, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 - Trace Adkins, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 - Becky G., 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 - Lil Pump
Oct. 23 - Awolnation, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 - Chase Rice, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 - MC Hammer & C&C Music Factory, 7 p.m

OTHER EVENTS TO DO AT THE FAIR

There is more to the fair than the food, rides, and concerts. There are also a number of shows -- a magic show, acrobat show, sheep show, pigeon show -- cooking demonstrations, an MMA fight, and tequila tasting. There will also be a number of bands paying tributes to Elton John, Prince, Selena, Queen, and Bruno Mars.

On Oct. 13, the RUF 36 MMA will take place inside Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
On Oct. 26, the Arizona State Dance Championships will be held there.

View the daily entertainment schedule.

SECURITY

This year, metal detectors have been added to all fair entrances, according to a spokesperson. Security may also conduct pat-downs or use handheld metal detectors.

People are allowed to bring one 20-ounce sealed water bottle into the fair. There will be water refill stations throughout the fair.

Items that are not allowed include firearms, Tasers, pepper spray or mace, knives with a blade longer than two inches, alcohol, selfie sticks, Sharpie markers, laser pointers, sharp metal objects, and glass bottles. Read more about the fair's security procedures.

PARKING

Parking at the Arizona State Fairgrounds ranges from $5 - $20. There may be private parking lots in the area, which will have their own fees.

The fairgrounds maintain two lots: North and West lots.

North Lot ($10-$20)
19th Avenue and Monte Vista Avenue
Encanto Blvd. between 17th Avenue and 19th Avenue
Standard parking is $10. VIP is $20. VIP parking can be bought, here.

West Lot ($5)
Encanto Blvd. between 19th Avenue and 20th Avenue

For more information, visit the Arizona State Fair's website, https://azstatefair.com.

IF YOU GO:
Arizona State Fair, Oct. 4-27, 2019
Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Admission: $8-$12
https://azstatefair.com