The South Carolina State Fair is happening, and we want you to be prepared! While it won’t exactly be the traditional fair experience, there is still plenty to enjoy. So hop in your car and take on the fair like never before! Here’s your guide to this year’s drive-thru version.

Fair Favs

The fair will be open event on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and is free to the public. Enter at the North Gate on Rosewood Drive near the fair’s historic Rocket. The route is estimated to take 20 minutes once guests enter the gates. Agriculture has always played a significant role in the S.C. State Fair, and this year’s event will be no different. Cattle, swine, goats, chickens, as well as draft mules and donkeys, will be visible from the car route. Aht, Aht! No getting out of the car to get an up close view of the animals. To ensure safety and control the flow of traffic, visitors will not be allowed to exit their vehicles. Be sure to tune into the Spotify playlist of bands who have visited State Fair over the years.

The S.C. Department of Agriculture will also showcase farm equipment from throughout the years. Exhibits will display blue-ribbon produce and flowers and in the home and craft division, quilts and specialty cakes. Nostalgic exhibits will include the heritage village, an antique fire truck and memories from the popular CIRCUS at the Fair that debuted at the State Fair’s 150th anniversary in 2019.

Food

You will not want to miss the opportunity to indulge in fair food favorites this year. In a twist on the restaurant drive-through concept, guests will be able to drive into the Lexington Medical Center Fair Park on the fairgrounds to purchase Fiske fries, funnel cakes and more. With an anticipated high demand, the fair food vendors have extended the dates to Oct. 20 – 24, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Enter Gate 6 on George Rogers Boulevard, then wind through the parking lot until they reach six separate lines for fair food, all of which will have the same offerings. Find details at www.scstatefair.org and follow @scstatefair on social media.

Exhibits

Nostalgic exhibits will include the heritage village, an antique fire truck and memories from the popular CIRCUS at the Fair that debuted at the State Fair’s 150th anniversary in 2019. Additional fair favorites include artwork by the ‘Chicken Man’ himself, Ernest Lee, the sounds of the calliope, Thomas Humphries’ Fighting Stallions and Metal Band sculptures, the milking parlor and the famous Jupiter Rocket. And look out for samples of student and fine art. A special preview of the S.C. State Fair’s upcoming second annual “Carolina Lights” holiday light show will also delight guests along the ride.

One special exhibit will celebration of the State Fair’s Ride of Your Life Scholarship recipients. Download the scavenger hunt, and keep your eyes peeled for the items on the list!

Follow along with exhibit details and a route map available online at scstatefair.org and via QR codes that will be accessible along the route