York State Fair 2023: How to save money, free rides, and what to see at the big event
It's only a few weeks until the York State Fair opens its gates for patrons to enjoy the food, rides, entertainment and animal displays.
It runs July 21-30, 2023.
New this year are some special promotions, such as $2 Tuesday and 100 Minutes Day on Thursday, that will offer low-cost or free entrance into the fair. It will include 100 minutes of free rides starting at 2 p.m. Thursday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of James E. Strates Shows, which provides the amusement rides and games, fair spokeswoman Montgomery Stambaugh said.
Concerts − and a bull riding show − will be held on the grandstand.
Free performances will be offered, such as The Flying Wallenda's circus acts and Pork Chop Revue, which appeared on "America's Got Talent."
This marks the third time the fair will be held in July, and the fair has contracts for the same month in the coming years.
Some favorites, including the butter sculpture, Goat Mountain and model trains, will be returning again to the fair.
How much will it cost to get in?
Admission and parking prices will remain the same as last year.
Fair goers can save money by buying tickets in advance at Weis Markets, Rutter's and Saubel's Markets. The price is $5. They must be purchased before July 20. Advance admission tickets also can be purchased online for $6 at yorkstatefair.com.
The fair also is offering a special advance combination package that includes admission for one and a ride wristband Monday through Friday of the fair. It costs $25 and can be purchased at yorkstatefair.com.
Here are the regular admission prices:
Ages 18 and older: $10
Ages 6 through 17 and college students with ID: $5
Ages 5 and under: Free
Parking: $10
Ride wristbands will cost $25 Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday. Individual tickets also can be purchased.
Free, dollar day and other promotions at the York State Fair
Friday, July 21: PeoplesBank Dollar Day: $1 admission per person for all patrons. Ride the Strates Show rides for $1 per ride.
Sunday, July 23: UPMC Heroes Appreciation Day: Free admission all day for firefighters, police, EMS, veterans, active duty military, and all healthcare personnel with proper identification. Includes one guest.
Monday, July 24: Senior Citizens Appreciation Day: Free admission all day for senior citizens with a Medicare card.
Tuesday, July 25: $2 Tuesday: $2 per person for admission, $2 for rides and $2 for food specials from participating vendors.
Wednesday, July 26: Weis Markets Customer Appreciation Day: Free admission all day with a Weis Markets card. Includes the card holder and up to three guests.
Thursday, July 27: 100 Minutes Day: Free admission for the first 100 minutes. Rides will be free for 100 minutes when they open at 2 p.m. This is to celebrate Strates Shows 100th anniversary.
Friday, July 28: Froggy 107.7 Pre-School Pals Day: Free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for one adult with a preschool child. Kiddie Kingdom ride bands are $15. Those can be purchased until 3 p.m.
Grandstand concerts at the York State Fair
Here's who will be performing on the Bobcat of York Grandstand Stage:
Five Finger Death Punch: 8 p.m. July 21
Nelly with special guest Chase McDaniel: 8 p.m. July 22
Peppa Pig: 5 p.m. July 23
KIX and Rocky 98.5 Battle of the Bands: 7 p.m. July 24
Triple Play Tuesday − Vince Neal and Stephen Pearcy with special guest Quiet Riot: 7 p.m. July 25
We The Kingdom with special guest Anne Wilson: 8 p.m. July 26
Turnpike Troubadours with special guest Muscadine Bloodline: 8 p.m. July 27
Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line with special guest Megan Moroney: 8 p.m. July 28
Buckin' B Bull Ride: 6 p.m. July 29
Dierks Bentley with special guests Ingrid Andress and Wyatt McCubbin: 7:30 p.m. July 30
Concert tickets include admission into the fair.
To purchase tickets, visit www.yorkstatefair.com.
Free stage concerts at the York State Fair
Here's who will be performing on the free Froggy 107.7 stage:
July 21: 5:30 p.m. Cody Ross Smith; 6:30 p.m. Tenille Arts
July 22: 5:30 p.m. Grant Bryan; 6:30 p.m. Danielle Bradbery
July 23: 5:30 p.m. Jake Mach; 6:30 p.m. Shane Profitt
July 24: 5:30 p.m. Nathan Merovich; 6:30 p.m. Kyle Morgan
July 25: 5:30 p.m. Gillian Smith; 6:30 p.m. Easton Corbin
July 26: 5:30 p.m. Devon Beck; 6:30 p.m. Kolby Cooper
July 27: 5:30 p.m. Dezzie Renae; 6:30 p.m. Thompson Square
July 28: 5:30 p.m. Bobby Law & The Late Show; 6:30 p.m. Neon Union
July 29: 4:30 p.m. Corina Rose; 5:30 p.m. Chasin' Whiskey; 6:30 p.m. George Birge
July 30: 4:30 p.m. Chris Woodward; 6:30 p.m. Dierks Bentley & Hot Country Knights
Alligator, fried sweets, nachos: Here's your guide on what to eat at the York State Fair in 2022
What's new at the York State Fair
In addition to the new free or low-cost admission prices, some new performers will be entertaining the crowds this year, Montgomery said.
Pork Chop Revue, which appeared on "America's Got Talent," features pigs and hogs performing stunts and antics, according to its website. During the show's appearance on television, the momma pushed the baby in a carriage.
The Rhinestone Roper will offer an interactive wild west show. He will demonstrate different skills, such as horse and rope tricks and knife throwing.
For those who enjoy circus performances, The Flying Wallendas will entertain the crowd with high wire acts and aerial tricks. The eight-generation family is known for the seven-person pyramid, which has been done since 1948, according to its website.
And families might want to check out the Comedy Farm Magic Review, an educational, agricultural show. It includes Clucky, an animatronic chicken that interacts with the performers and audience, according to its website.
Patrons who are walking around the fairgrounds will see two roaming acts. One is Roberto the Magnificent, who rides around on a unicycle and performs magic acts. The other is Bandaloni, the One Man Band.
Giant Wheel is the most popular ride at the York State Fair
Strates Shows has released a list of the top 10 rides that fairgoers took a spin on last year based on individual wristband and FunCard ticket scans.
And yes, all of these rides will be at the fair again this year, according to the company.
Here is the list, and the company's descriptions of them:
Giant Wheel – Truly the “King of the Midway!” At 105 feet in height, Strates Shows majestic Giant Wheel dominates the fairgrounds and the surround community. A spectacular sight day or night, the Giant Wheel comes alive when the sun goes down with an all-new display of LED lighting. It is the best ride to take an awesome selfie with friends as you’ll have a one-of-a-kind view behind you! (48" minimum unless accompanied by an adult.)
Pirate: Ahoy, Mateys! Welcome aboard the biggest ship on the midway. But look out, as there are rough seas head! This is not a kiddy cruise, but a trilling experience for mature family members. The ride’s up and down, swinging pendulum movement will provide plenty of zero gravity thrills at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. (48" minimum, 39" - 48" may ride with an adult on an inside seat)
Venetian Double Carousel: For over three decades, Strates Shows signature merry-go-round has been a memory maker for fairgoers of all ages. This unique two-story, handpainted carousel is a timeless favorite on the midway and has become one of the “first” midway rides ever enjoyed by thousands of children and their parents. (42" minimum unless accompanied by an adult)
Scooter/Bumper Cars: Driver’s license NOT required! There is no way better to get your traffic jam frustrations out than a ride on this carnival classic. These bumper cars let riders travel over the floor bumping, dodging, and crashing into other cars along the way. (4 8" minimum to drive, 42" minimum to ride)
Sky Flyer: High-altitude fun! This 98-foot-high vertical swing can be seen “dancing in the sky” above the Strates Shows carnival. As 24 riders slowly rise to the top, the tower begins to rotate and centrifugal force kicks in! The Sky Flyer offers adventure thrills as well as a panoramic view of the midway. Fairgoers on the ground will be sure to have their cameras out to capture the Sky Flyers’ dazzling array of LED lighting. (48” minimum, 79” maximum)
Musik Express: Music, lights, and sounds – Get ready for spinning action as the up-anddown motion of the ride keeps you rocking and rolling (52" minimum and age 8, 78” maximum)
Wave Swinger: This ornately decorated giant swing set takes riders flying above the carnival crowds below. Riders are seated in one of the ride’s many suspended basket seats. As the Wave Swinger starts up, the whole structure rises and begins to rotate clockwise. When it reaches it maximum height, the ride tilted to provide an added thrill! (42" minimum, 230 lb. maximum)
Dream Wheel: Enjoy a panoramic view of the midway from 72 feet above the ground high while riding in a family sized gondola. At night, the Dream Wheel’s translucent tub absorb the multiple colors of the super spectacular LED lighting. (40” minimum, 40” to 56” must be accompanied by a responsible patron)
The Claw: Experience the ultimate sensation of speed, rotation and swing on ONE ride! As its large arm lifts into the air, those daring enough to ride from one of its suspended seats will get a 360-degree view of the surroundings…but only if they can keep their eyes open! (48” minimum, 77” maximum, 220 lb. maximum)
The Wacky Worm: The perfect “first coaster” for young riders. This colorful caterpillar will have all ages laughing with delight as it weaves its way along gentle slopes and winding track. (42" minimum, 36" to 42” may ride with an adult)
Loretta Claiborne to serve as grand marshall for the state fair parade
Loretta Claiborne, a York native, motivational speaker and ambassador for the Special Olympics, will serve as the grand marshall for the 2023 York Sate Fair Salute To Heroes Parade, according to the fair's Facebook page.
The parade is set for 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. It will start at the UPMC Livestock Arena.
Claiborne recently won a gold medal in women's singles tennis at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. The York community honored her with a celebration after she returned from the games.
Avian flu impacts poultry displays for second year
The fair will not be able to have poultry, pigeons or eggs this year because of the avian influenza, Montgomery said.
This is the second year in a row the birds and eggs will not be on display.
The fair is monitoring the avian influenza and complying with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture quarantines and proceedures, she said.
For those who need a dose of cuteness, Bunny World will be available.
Enter your summer harvest, plus new Pinterest contest
It's time for the public to enter their summer harvest, baked goods and Lego creations into contests at the fair to see if they win a ribbon.
The fair is featuring some new contests in Old Main this year, including diamond art and "As Seen on Pinterest" crafts.
Patrons print out pictures of the craft they saw on Pinterest and showcase their version of it to be judged, Montgomery said. Food is not allowed.
To see the rules and deadlines for entries, visit www.yorkstatefair.com.
Hop on Rabbittransit to go to the fair
Rabbittransit is offering bus service and paratransit/shared ride services to the York State Fair, according to a news release.
The 1W and 5W routes will take riders directly to the fairgrounds. The price for a one-way trip is $1.60, the release states. There is no cost for seniors 65 and older who have a free fare ID card.
Those who plan to use the shared ride services must call 1-800-632-9063 to make a reservation. It must be done by noon the day prior to the trip, the release states.
Rabbittransit also will be participating in the Salute to Heroes Parade.
York State Fair: Rapper Nelly to perform on the grandstand
If you go
When: July 21 through July 30
Where: York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave., York
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday (Gate 6 will stay open until 10 p.m. for vehicles, and Gate 7 will remain open until 10 p.m. for pedestrians.); 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday (Gate 6 will stay open for vehicles until 11 p.m. and Gate 7 will remain open for pedestrians until 11 p.m.)
Cost: $10 for ages 18 and older; $5 for ages 6 to 17; $5 for college students with ID; and 5 and under are free.
Parking: $10. Entrance gates for parking: Gates 4, 6, 9. Entrance gates for pedestrians: Gates 1, 3, 7.
Teresa Boeckel is the trending reporter for the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact her at tboeckel@ydr.com, by phone at 717-495-0998 or on Twitter @teresaboeckel.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York Pa. Fair 2023: What's new at the big event and how to save money
