The sweet smell of funnel cakes and cotton candy is in the air as the Colorado State Fair returns for the 2024 season in Pueblo.

The state fair kicks off Friday, running for nearly two weeks through Sept. 2, featuring exhilarating carnival rides, delicious fair food and notable concerts.

Here’s a look at what you can expect this year: 

Prices

Heads up, fairgoers! Here’s how much you can expect to pay for gate admission and carnival wristbands this year:

Gate admission

• Adults: $15; Kids ages 5-12: $7; Children 4 and under: Free

Carnival Wristbands

• Unlimited ride band: $40*

• Megapass (includes gate admission): $200*

*$2 fee for wristbands and cards purchased on site

Parking and shuttle service 

• Public parking will be available in the lot south of the fairgrounds between Mesa and Northern Avenue. Parking is $5 Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday.

• A shuttle will run every 15 to 30 minutes from Pueblo’s Main Street Parking Garage, located at 110 S. Main St. to the State Fair Gate on Prairie Avenue The shuttle is free as is parking in the garage.

Shuttle hours: 3-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day.

Deals and Discounts

• Aug. 23 & 30: Free admission for seniors over 60 and “$5 ’til 5 Friday” admission will be $5 and every food stand will offer a $5 item until 5 p.m.

• Aug. 25: Military and first responders get $8 off admission

• Aug. 26 & Sept. 02: Free admission for kids 12 and under

• Aug. 27: Free admission with a donation of two canned food items

• Aug. 28: One Price Wednesday – $15 gets you admission, ranch rodeo, Chancey Williams concert and one carnival wristband

• Aug. 29: Free admission and $25 carnival wristband with a student voucher or coupon

• Sept. 1: $3 off admission with a non-winning lottery ticket

Concerts and events

What’s a state fair without a concert lineup of household names and fun events? See who’s set to play at the fair this year and the rodeo schedule below:

• Fri., Aug. 23: PRCA Rodeo with Shane Smith & The Saints

• Sat., Aug. 24: PRCA Rodeo with Scotty McCreery

• Sun., Aug. 25: PRCA Rodeo with Lonestar

• Mon., Aug. 26: PRCA Rodeo

• Wed., Aug. 28: Chancey Williams , Ranch Rodeo – Free

• Thur., Aug. 29: The Commodores & The Spinners

• Fri., Aug. 30: Trace Adkins with special guest Cody Cozz , Monster Trucks 

• Sat., Aug. 31: Ludacris , Monster Trucks , Demolition Derby

• Sun., Sept. 1: Goo Goo Dolls , Banda El Recodo

Click here to see this year’s free concert schedule

Free attractions

• All American High Dive Show — daily in the State Fair Plaza

• The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show — located at the Triangle Park

• Xpogo Stunt Team  — daily on Main Street

• Great American Petting Farm, pony rides available — inside the Small Animal Building

• Do Colorado Right exhibit

• Display of vintage tractors — north side of the Sheep & Swine Building

• Colorado Proud Farm Trail — daily in the Small Animal Building

• Agriculture Pavilion, educational displays — daily

• Stomp Lights — various areas