2024 Granite State Fair in Rochester: What to know before you go

ROCHESTER — The 2024 Granite State Fair runs Thursday-Sunday for two consecutive weeks: Sept. 12-15 and Sept. 19-22.

The fair, originally known as the Rochester Fair, began in the 1800s, primarily to showcase mechanical and agricultural displays. Over the years, it has expanded to include a midway offering rides, food, games and entertainment, including Circus Hollywood, a cornhole tournament, and probably most famous, the school bus demolition derby.

There is likely no one who is a greater source of fair knowledge than general manager Mark Perry. He has been running the fair since 2001. His son, also Mark Perry is now involved, too.

In 23 years, Perry has seen a lot of fair action but one of his most memorable is his first year, in 2001.

"I signed on for my first fair on Sept. 1, 2001," said Perry. "Then we all know what happened on Sept. 11 that year. So here we were getting ready to open and suddenly everyone was in shock. I am a brand-new manager. All my vendors are glued to their radios and the decision for me was — do we open?"

Perry said the fair was set to open two days after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"In the end, after talking with everyone involved, we decided to open," said Perry. "We did that for the children, to bring something happy to them."

Perry said challenges like that strengthen a person. So, he was more prepared when faced with COVID-19. The 2020 fair was canceled.

"The next year, we came back slowly and careful," Perry said. "Now we are growing more popular each year."

What's new at Granite State Fair in 2024

Perry said this year there will be a third school bus demolition derby, because the popularity of the event demands it.

"People line up for hours for tickets to that," Perry said.

This year, the Miss Granite State pageant is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15.

Perry said Circus Hollywood has expanded its show. This year's will be titled "Thrill America."

"General admission to this is free," said Perry. "It is included in the price of admission. Circus Hollywood is a full-sized circus event, and we are their only New England appearance. They will arrive here direct from the New York state fair."

In keeping with the agricultural mission of the fair, Perry said this year will bring a bee keeping exhibit.

"We hope they will become part of our fair family," Perry said. "And there will be fresh honey for sale."

Fan favorites like truck pulling, horse pulling (with draft horses) will be seen, and of course, lots of farm animals.

"The draft horses are simply beautiful animals," Perry said. "There is bond with their handlers, and they will be great to see."

Perry said a returning event, started last year, will be garden tractor pulling.

"I have it on good authority that one of the contestants will be a 6-year-old," Perry said. "These are the things you mow your lawn with. It's a great family show, and it is also free (no additional charge after fair admission)."

The story behind the school bus demolition derby

Perry said the first school bus derby came about because another event had canceled, and the spot needed to be filled. He couldn't recall the exact year.

Perry said he wonders sometimes why destroying a school bus is so appealing, but he said it definitely works.

"I never thought it would become as popular as it is," Perry said. "We were trying to fill that spot, and I woke up one night at 2 a.m. and said bus derby. My wife told me to go back to sleep."

Perry spoke to one of the fair sponsors who loved the idea but asked - where will you get buses?

"I found a dealer in Brentwood who sold decommissioned school buses," Perry Siad. "We use 10 buses a year. That year we bought his entire fleet."

Years later, Perry said, he found a package deal on school buses that also included some of the smaller "mini buses."

"We threw them in the mix," said Perry. "They are faster and easier to maneuver that the big buses, so they ended up playing a funny role and people love that, too."

Granite State Fair hours

Thursdays and Fridays, the fair and midway open at 4 p.m.; and on Saturday and Sundays the fair opens at 10 a.m. and the midway at noon.

Granite State Fair ticket prices

Fair admission: Presale admission is available at granitestatefair.com for $10 until Sept. 11. After that, the tickets, online or at fair will be $12 per person. Children age 8 and under are admitted free. On Thursday, Sept. 19, senior day, people 65 and over will be admitted to the fair for $5.

Parking: Until Sept. 11, parking passes are $5, and after that, the cost is $7 per person. On opening day, Thursday, Sept. 12 there will be a carload special. Patrons who enter through the Hoover or Lafayette Streets entrances will be $20 per car load.

Midway: Patrons can buy a Megapass, which covers fair admission and unlimited rides for a one-time use. The cost before Sept. 11 is $35, and Sept. 12 and after, the cost will be $45.

A one-day wristband that includes unlimited rides but not fair admission cost $25 presale and $30 Sept. 12 and beyond. The wristbands are good 4 p.m. to close on Thursdays; noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays; and on Sundays, either 1-5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to close.

Special events: Demolition derby, enduro racing, cornhole and more

Grandstand events vary in price and dates and include garden tractor pulling, school bus derby, demolition derby, truck pulling, trailer race/enduro race. Pricing can be found at granitestatefair.com/grandstand-events.

Included with fair admission price are general admission seats to Circus Hollywood events, or $15 box seats (for 4 people) are $15.

Cornhole tournament information is found at granitestatefair.com/gsf/cornhole-tournament.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: 2024 Granite State Fair in Rochester NH: Tickets, bus derby details