101 Free Things to Do at the Fair

1. KOMO’s First Day at The Fair Food Drive and free gate admission with food donation - Aug. 31, 10:30 am—12:30 pm (non-perishable food is collected at gates for the Puyallup Food Bank all day)

2. Kids 18 years and under enjoy free gate admission during BECU’s Free Kids Weekend Aug. 31 - Sept. 3

3. Free gate admission for active, reserve and retired military and National Guard and their dependents, plus disabled veterans (with valid military ID) on Military Appreciation Days - Sept. 3, 10 and 17

4. Green thumbs will enjoy free gate admission at Gold Gate in the Agriculture/Horticulture Dept. vegetable critter contest. Free gate admission at Gold Gate with online entry receipt and vegetable critter - Sept. 15

5. A pumpkin can be your golden ticket to free gate admission. Register your carved pumpkin in the Agriculture/Horticulture Dept. contest, and receive free gate admission at the Gold Gate with your online entry receipt and pumpkin - Sept 15*

6. Free gate admission for an attendant assisting a disabled guest - Daily

7. Gate admission is FREE for children 5 years and under - Daily

8. Free gate admission with a school supply donation to the Community and Schools Supply Drive, Sept. 7 - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

9. Come see exotic animals in Barn M at the Animals of the World exhibit - Sept. 6-12

10. Watch master carver Russ Leno create pumpkin masterpieces at the Giant Pumpkin Carving demos – weekends.

11. The Draft Horse Driving Demonstration salutes breast cancer survivors with “Big Hearts Wear Pink” at both performances in Paulhamus Arena - Sept. 15 at 2 and 3:30 p.m.

12. A rose isn’t just a rose when you see these entries in the Floral Department this year! The open class competition offers four
judging dates - Sept. 3, 10, 17, 23

13. The Open Class Rabbit and Cavy competition will get you hopping - Sept. 9-13

14. Don’t be baaashful, check out the Sheep Shows in Agriplex - Sept. 19-23

15. Try your hand at trout fishing (kids 12 and under), snowshoeing and target shooting in the NW Outdoors Building – every Fri, Sat and Sun from 12 - 6 p.m.

16. Say hello to the newborn piglets at Piglet Palace, where two sows deliver the piglets sometime during the Fair - daily

17. See how early Valley farmers worked their fields by checking out the tools of the trade in the Fair Museum - daily

18. Kids can pedal a pint-size antique tractor around Tractor Tracks, in SillyVille - Daily

19. See the baby chicks in the Poultry Barn and Fair Farm. Kids will be amazed by the Talking Chick in the Poultry Barn - Daily

20. Try your hand at Milking Mabel, the faux cow in the Barn M - Daily

21. Get up close to baby animals in the Fair Farm - Daily

22. See 4-H and FFA students from all corners of the state compete - Daily

23. The experts are ready and waiting to teach you about bees, beeswax, honey, mead, pollen and beekeeping in the Agriculture/Horticulture Building - Daily

24. Watch kids ride a sheep at Wool Riders Only (mutton bustin’), Purple Gate - Daily

25. Travel back in time to the Old West and churn butter at Pioneer Farm - Daily

26. See how fruits and vegetables grow at the Planting Patch - Daily

27. Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In, Loading Arena 1 - Aug. 31 at 5:30 pm

28. Be transported to other locations around the world in the NW International Photo Contest - Daily

29. Make it a family event at the C&H Sugar Parent-Child Filled Cookie Contest, Home Arts - Sept. 8

30. Put your creativity to the test in the pumpkin coloring contest - Sept. 2, 9 a.m. registration

31. Want to judge a competition? Head over to Barn A and vote for the People’s Choice Award in the Pigeon Contest - Aug. 31 -  Sept. 4

32. Set your eyes on something sweet. Brown and Haley Baking and Confection Contest judging, Home Arts - Sept. 10, 6:30 pm and Sept. 15 from 12:30 pm

33. The Great American SPAM Championship judging is in the can in Home Arts - Sept. 14, 12:30 pm

34. Calling all brewmasters and vitners, be sure to stop by the Amateur Beer and Wine Contest in Agricultural /
Horticulture Building

35. Have you even seen a National Guernsey Show? This dairy cattle show judging slated for Sept. 6-10 at 10 am and 1pm

36. Do you have the Fastest Fingers in the West? Be sure to show off your knitting or crocheting skills in this contest, Sept. 10.

37. Spice up your day at the Salsa Showdown, Home Arts - Sept. 6

38. Judging can be the sweet at the Washington State Fair Rhubarb Pie Contest in Home Arts - Sept. 17, 12:30 pm

39. View beautiful blossoms and bouquets in the Floral Department’s Professional Fresh Floral Design Show - Sept. 1

40. See which home baker can put a smile on the face of a scone baker at the Home Arts competition, Original Famous Fair Scone Contest - Sept. 19, 12:30 pm

41. What is coffee’s perfect match? Biscotti of course! Stop by and see the recipes in the Home Arts Dept.—Daily

42. Competition is tight in the dairy goat shows - Sept. 19-23

43. The judges will be in a jam when they judge the Best Jam and Jelly Contest in Home Arts - Sept. 21 at 12:30 pm

44. See the Blue Ribbon winners in the Fine Art Show, Pavilion (2nd floor) - Daily

45. Vote your favorite Hobby Hall collection at the People’s Choice Award - Daily

46. Check out winners of the Agriculture/Horticulture contests in divisions ranging from artichokes to winter squash - Daily

47. Check out the cattle at the start of the Western Rodeo Parade in downtown Puyallup, Sept. 7 at 10 am

48. The Shoppe is back on the Coca-Cola stage and ready to delight Aug. 31 - Sept. 3

49. Are you ready for the 1880's Pioneer Experience? Make your way to Timber Gulch at Green Gate - daily

50. Don’t miss rising country star, Aaron Crawford on the Outpost 47 stage - Sept. 16 at 6:30 pm

51. Ooh and aah at the Fireworks Spectacular as the sun goes down Fridays at 10 pm

52. Be mesmerized by Tina Marie, Master Hypnotist at the Coca-Cola Stage - Sept. 6-10

53. Celebrate Asia Pacific Cultural Center Day, complete with traditional music, dance and more - Sept. 15

54. Feel the beat with Street Beat Percussion Parkour on the Fountain Stage—Daily

55. Don’t miss Pierce County Thursdays, with perks for all the local area residents - Thursdays

56. Don't miss MJ Live! at the NEW Outpost 47 stage, Sept. 1 at 6:30 pm

57. Check out our newest FREE stage, Outpost 47 with incredible acts like Fleetwood Mask, O-Town and many more

58. Eric Buss has a comedy and magic show on the Coca-Cola stage that can't be missed - Aug. 31 - Sept. 3

59. Check out the always-entertaining Doo-Wah Riders on the Coca-Cola stage, Sept. 6-9

60. Want to be astounded? Eric Haines will leave you laughing with his mix of entertainment and humor on the Fountain Plaza stage, Sept. 19-23

61. Take a vacation from the mundate as Islanders Steel Drum plays on the Fountain Plaza Stage, Sept. 12-17

62. Try your hand at a lip syncing contest on the Showplace Stage—Aug. 31 from 7-9 p.m.

63. Watch the Tumbleweed Crossing comedy gunfighter show at Timber Gulch - Daily, 1, 4 and 6:30 p.m.

64. The Fair has costume characters strolling the grounds, ready to pose with you most any time - daily

65. Kids will enjoy taking part in the Pioneer Farm at Timber Gulch - daily

66. Grab a selfie when you see Lanky the Clown - Aug. 31 - Sept. 10

67. Few entertainers can amaze you, and keep you laughing. Don’t miss seeing Roberto the Magnificent and his comedy juggling show on the Coca-Cola Stage - Sept. 10-23

68. Your toes will start tapping to the sounds of Dixieland music by Fabulous Roadstars on the Showplace Stage– Aug. 31 - Sept. 10

69. American Idol winner, Lee Dewyze will be lighting up the Outpost 47 stage on Sept. 22 at 6:30 pm

70. Watch famous artists demonstrating their craft in the Fred Oldfield Western Art Heritage Center - Daily

71. Be mesmerized by the Dream City Stil Walkers, amazing stilt walkers who wander the grounds - Sept. 10-23

72. Watch the daily Education Department’s free stage performances - Daily

74. Foodies will be entertained with live cooking demonstration in the Home Arts kitchen by chefs and food experts - Daily

75. Stop by any of the four Information Booths on the grounds to get any of your burning Fair questions answered.

76. Kids 12 and younger love FREE face painting, SillyVille - Weekdays, 2-8 p.m, Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 11 am - 8 pm

77. Hop on one of the People Movers and rest your feet - Mon-Fri, 10:00 am - 7 pm, crowds permitting

78. Stay healthy and keep clean at the hand washing stations at The Fair, thanks to sponsor, MultiCare - Daily

79. Sign Budweiser’s Designated Driver Pledge and receive a complimentary Coca-Cola beverage at bar service locations - Daily

80. Quench your thirst with a free cup of water from Mountain Mist - Daily

81. Create a memory and have a friend take your picture at various selfie stations on the grounds - Daily

82. Enjoy the convenience of a family restroom and nursing station in SillyVille - Daily

83. Pick up the official Washington State Fair Brochure inside each gate - Daily

84. Want a purrfect day at The Fair? Pounce on over to see the 4-H cats in Barn D - Sept. 6-9

85. Visit some of our feathered friends at the chicken and duck showing, Poultry Barn - Sept. 6-8

86. Take a seat and enjoy the updated Brew Park - daily

87. Download our mobile app and have ore fun with less stress and more convenience

88. Watch our favorite Super Bowl champs, The Seattle Seahawks, take on the Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 23, 1:25 pm 

89. Join us for a fun celebration at the Fair's daily parade - Weekdays at 5:30 pm and Weekends at Noon

90. Recharge both your feet and your phone at the Founation Grandstand Lounge across from the original scone booth.

91. Test your strength with the strongest people around, the U.S. Army located near Showplace Stage—Sept. 13-16

92. Take in the beauty and relaxation of Classic Coaster Park, thanks to the Washington State Fair Foundation - Daily

93. Take part in recycling your aluminum and plastic bottles, thanks to Waste Connections - Daily

94. Check out more than 50 unique wild and wacky collections in Hobby Hall - Daily

95. Check out the beautiful Washington and International Photo Competition in the Photo Salon, Pavilion (2nd floor) - Daily

96. See the talent our students possess at the Jr./Sr. High Art Show in the Pavilion - Daily

97. Watch artisans create clay pottery, handmade bags and fused glass created right before your eyes in Artists in Action - Daily

98. Enjoy the talent of Washington artists in the Fine Arts Show including drawing, oil painting, digital art and more - Daily

99. Learn about Western art while visiting the Fred Oldfield Western Art Heritage Center - Daily

100. Come to Home Arts for art and culinary demonstrations - Daily

101. Have your picture taken with Big Washington, our lovable and friendly Washington State Fair mascot– Daily