How to save time, hassle and even a little money at the 2023 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo
The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo will soon kick off its 75th year of community fun, food and funnel cakes.
You can save time, hassle and a little money by getting a jump on tickets, which can be bought online ahead of time for the concerts, carnival, bus fares and gate admission.
To avoid the line, carnival wristband vouchers can be bought online for $35. The voucher should be brought to a carnival ticket booth at the fair to receive your wristband.
The concert tickets are sold online with prices ranging from $30 to $60 depending on the seat. Trying to get tickets at the gate may not be possible with some shows selling out months ahead of time.
The reserved section is $30 for a reserved chair on the grass. The fan zone is $40 for the standing-room-only area close to the stage. It has it’s own entrance, restrooms, and bar area but no chairs allowed. The $60 VIP section is first-come, first-served seating to watch the concert with access to a bar and luxury bathroom trailer.
Combo admission fair ticket with bus passes can also be bought ahead of time online. Fair and bus ticket combos are $5 for ages 6 to 12 and 65 and older, $13 for ages 13 and above through Aug. 21 and $15, and free for kids 5 and under. They can also be purchased at the gate.
However, for those driving to the venue, you can save yourself the headache of circling the lot hoping for an open spot with pre-sale daily parking tickets for the main lot available online for $10.
School and college employees will get free fair admission on Aug. 23, thanks to STCU. To redeem the offer, school employees are required to bring their school ID or paystub.
The Kid’s Day special is set for Wednesday, Aug. 23, with different activities like the Kiddie Parade, Hay Dive, Diaper Derby, and many more family fun activities for those with kids. Youth admission from ages 6 to 12 is $2. There is also a wristband special for buy one, get one half price.
The 75th annual event runs from Aug. 22-26, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and until midnight on Saturday. This year’s events will honor its diamond anniversary.
“75 years is a long time to be running.... People should be ready to have fun and see cool things, ” said Executive Director Lori Lancaster.
Over 120,000 are expected to attend the fair and rodeo throughout the week. The event brings in about $18.5 million to Benton County and employs more than 120 people, as well as supports other local jobs and brings visitors from communities across the region, say fair officials.
What to expect
To kick start the festivities, the Grand Parade is on Saturday, Aug. 19, winding through downtown Kennewick. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and you’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs to line the parade route.
Saturday night there’s a Demolition Derby, with time trials starting at 6:30 p.m. Participants will be racing, competing and then smashing into each other for the grand finale. Tickets are $15 to $22. You can also check out the Cowboy Club Beer Garden.
The fairgrounds open for a full slate of activities on Tuesday, Aug. 22. On opening day $2 from each adult admission ticket before 2 p.m. will be donated to 2nd Harvest.
The first night of the Horse Heaven Round-Up rodeo also kicks off on Aug. 22.
Dancin’ in the Dirt with James Otto is set for Saturday, Aug. 26. Attendees can listen to country music, dance and get drinks. Otto is from Benton City and has called Nashville home for the past 20 years, according to the fair’s website.
What’s new this year is the Canine Stars stunt dog show. The act, performed by rescue dogs, has been featured on America’s Got Talent. There will also be entertainment like the No. 20 ranked PRCA rodeo in the nation and the Market Stock.
Market Stock is held every year to feature livestock raised and shown by 4-H, FFA and Grange exhibitors.
Tuesday, Aug. 22: Horse Heaven Round-Up Opening Night at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 23: Horse Heaven Round-Up Family Night at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 24: Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Tough Enough to Wear Pink at 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 25: Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Visiting Royalty Night at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 26: Horse Heaven Round-Up Patriot Night at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 22: T.I. will be performing at 7:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 23: Bush will be performing at 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 24: Justin Moore will be performing at 7:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 25: Darci Lynne will be performing at 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 26: Banda Machos will be performing at 7:45 p.m.
The Benton Franklin Fair is governed by a volunteer board of directors, the Fair Board, Rodeo Committee and the Market Stock Committee.
Ben Franklin Transit buses to the fairground will be running all week at standard rate. By taking the bus, attendees can avoid the crowd, traffic and $10 parking fees.
Bus-only fare is $1.50 for ages 19 and above, 75 cents for seniors ages 65 and over, and free for ages 18 and under.
The bus shuttle runs 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily from Kamiakin High School and Lampson Stadium in Kennewick, in Pasco at The HAPO Center and 22nd Avenue Transit Center, and in Richland at Knight Street Transit Center and Tulip Lane Park and Ride. The bus shuttle will be available to take people back after the late concerts.
For more information on the upcoming events and prices, visit Benton and Franklin Fair & Rodeo. or call 509-222-3749.
