Delaware State Fair 2024: A hot entertainment preview
Are you not entertained this summer?
The Delaware State Fair, a coliseum of deep-fried fun, can fix that for you with its feast of family-friendly events, attractions and unique offerings in Harrington from Thursday, July 18, to Saturday, July 27.
If you want to know about all of the major headlining acts at the 105th Delaware State Fair, as well as the cost of carnival tickets, and some must-see events, check out this preview guide of the fair's entertainment:
Wade Shows Carnival at Delaware State Fair
There are 40 rides and attractions to choose from this year at the Wade Shows Carnival zone, according to the state fair's website. They include the carousel, giant Ferris wheel, huge slide, Super Cyclone Coaster (the tall wrap-around roller coaster) and the intense Mega Drop (where guests free fall from the sky). There's plenty for kids and adults to enjoy.
How much is the carnival at the Delaware State Fair?
Each carnival ride costs between three and six tickets. There are multiple ways to pay for rides and attractions. You can use the Fair Pass, a digital ticketing app that allows you to pay for rides. You can buy the card at the on-site kiosks or skip the kiosks line and buy units on the FunTagg mobile app (available at the Apple and Google stores). Guests can buy units with the app for:
5 units for $7
30 units for $35
50 units for $50
Carnival fans also can purchase an Unlimited Wristband, which is good for one day. The Advanced Wristband is $25 until midnight on Wednesday, July 17. The Regular Wristband is $40 after July 17.
Monday, July 22: The carnival area will host rides for $2 and select food vendors will have items for sale for $2.
Tuesday, July 23: There will be a new special sensory-friendly carnival on Kids' Day from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 23. Kids' Day means children under age 12 get free admission to the fair (but not rides).
Wednesday, July 24: Guests save $15 on Unlimited Wristbands.
8 can't-miss events at Delaware State Fair 2024
Everywhere you turn, there's something interesting at the Delaware State Fair's Grounds Entertainment area. Highlights include:
Little porkers will compete to prove which one is the fastest in the return of the popular Hollywood Racing Pigs contest (daily at 2, 4 and 7:30 p.m., located across from Sponsorship Court).
Kelsey Rae and 2B1 will spread their message of environmental awareness in concert (daily at 6 and 8 p.m. at Hertrich Plaza)
You never know who the next Taylor Swift might be. Jess Kellie Adams, a rising Nashville country singer, will showcase her talents at her first Delaware State Fair (daily at 7 and 9 p.m. at Hertrich Plaza)
Discover a variety of spectacles under a giant tent with the Circus Hollywood (daily at 5 and 8:30 p.m., located near gate 2)
Folks will have a cute zoo experience at The Menagerie (daily at 11 a.m., except opening day at noon on Thursday, July 18, located beside the circus tent, near gate 2)
Kids and adults can witness cool creations at the Lego Building Contest (10 a.m. Saturday, July 20)
Find out which contestant can pluck meat off a cooked chicken the quickest during the Chickin Pickin’ Contest presented by Mountaire Farms (3 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at Hertrich Plaza)
The Nanticoke Indian Dance Troop will celebrate their culture through storytelling, dance and music (4 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at Grove Picnic Area).
Concert headliners for Delaware State Fair 2024
Big names from country to rap (and everything in between) will take the stage as headliners at the M&T Bank Grandstand each day of the fair. As a heads up, tickets for these major concerts do not include the cost of admission to the fair, so you'll also need to pay to enter through the main gate.
Thursday, July 18: Rick Springfield
Known for '80s hits like "Jessie’s Girl" and "Don't Talk to Strangers," Rick Springfield will open the Summer Concert Series with a lot of nostalgic pop tunes to choose from. Springfield will be joined by Starship featuring Mickey Thomas. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$69 (plus service fee).
Friday, July 19: Jon Pardi with Walker Montgomery
Jon Pardi turned heads with big country numbers like "Dirt on My Boots," "Heartache Medication" and "Head Over Boots." He will be joined by Walker Montgomery. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $64-$99 (plus service fee).
Saturday, July 20: Ludacris
The only rapper in this year's lineup is emcee and actor Ludacris, who dropped hits like "Number One Spot," "Rollout (My Business)" and "Act a Fool." He will be joined by DJ Infamous. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $49-$84 (plus service fee).
Sunday, July 21: Jordan Davis
CMA winner Jordan Davis is known for serving up homemade country like "Singles You Up," "Slow Dance in a Parking Lot" and "Next Thing You Know." He will be joined by opener Greylan James. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $54-$89 (plus service fee).
Monday, July 22: Cooper Alan
Rising country artist Cooper Alan is blazing his path with jams such as "Take Forever (Hally's Song)," "First Rodeo" and "To the Bar." Alan will be joined by up-and-coming singer Thomas Mac, who boasts popular tunes like "Beer vs Women" and "I Love My Truck." The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29-$64 (plus service fee).
Tuesday, July 23: We the Kingdom
Posted by We The Kingdom on Friday, January 26, 2024
Consistently bringing in Christian artists has been a tradition at the state fair. This year music lovers will hear the band We the Kingdom, a group that made a splash with "Holy Water," "Child of Love" and "Take It All Back." We the Kingdom will be joined with Consumed by Fire. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29-$64 (plus service fee).
Wednesday, July 24: Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert is a returning favorite who is cherished for his hits like "Bottoms Up," "Kick It in the Sticks" and "One Hell of an Amen." BG will be joined by Mike Ryan. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $49-$84 (plus service fee).
Thursday, July 25: Harness racing
Although this is a concert lineup, the state fair loves throwing a few non-concerts into the mix. Harrington Raceway and Casino will host harness racing, an event that's been held multiple times on the fairgrounds. The race stars at 7 p.m.
Friday, July 26: Demolition Derby
The Demolition Derby is a popular event in Harrington that promises to get the audience revved up for a different type of heavy metal. The event is presented by Taylor and Messick. The derby starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18-$20 (plus service fee).
Saturday, July 27: Turnpike Troubadours
The final headliner to put a bow on the last night of the Delaware State Fair this summer is the country band Turnpike Troubadours, joined by Tyler Halverson and Quade Gannon. The six-piece group has won hearts across the nation with songs like "Diamonds & Gasoline," "Long Hot Summer Day" and "Gin, Smoke, Lies." The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $69-$99 (plus service fee).
What's new at Delaware State Fair 2024? What to know before you go
Cool Delaware concerts in July: Hot events not to miss
How much is Delaware State Fair 2024?
Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) is Thursday, July 18, through Saturday, July 27. Gates open daily at 9 a.m., and the fair ends daily at 11 p.m. General admission tickets for adults (ages 13+) are $10 in person or $10.50 (online); youth (ages 6-12) are $5 in person or $5.50 (online); free for kids age 5 or younger. Concerts on the Grandstand are extra. For the fair's full event schedule, visit its website, go to The Fair, then go to Plan Your Visit and click Daily Schedule. For more info, visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware State Fair 2024 entertainment preview: What's hot this year?
