Local

Georgia National Fair 2023 opens in Perry on Oct. 5. Here’s everything you need to know

Concerts, rides and fried turkey legs return to Perry this October for the 34th annual Georgia National Fair.

The fair kicks off Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Georgia National Fairgrounds with 11 days of events, competitions and nightly fireworks. The Georgia National Fair expects more than 500,000 guests to come to the festivities and experience more than 80 rides, 100 food vendors and free and paid entertainment, according to a news release.

“Our team works hard to make every Fair experience memorable and unique” said Maggie Lane, the Fairgrounds marketing director, in the release. “By combining traditional elements such as nightly Fireworks shows and Midway rides with new concerts, food options, and family-friendly entertainment we hope to encourage Fairgoers to return year after year.”

The concert lineup for the fair has 11 unique entertainers, including Smash Mouth, Mark Chesnutt and Georgia Female Artist of the Year Megan Fowler. The concerts are nightly at 7:30, and they are free with the price of admission.

The Georgia National Fair prepared a Spotify playlist of this year’s artists so fairgoers can experience the performers’ music before seeing them live on stage.

The Georgia National Fair will also host the first round of American Idol auditions on Oct. 13 at 1-4 p.m.

Fair admission

  • Adults (Ages 11 and up): $15
  • Seniors (ages 60 and up): $10

  • Children (ages 10 and under): Free with a paying adult

  • Season Pass: $95

  • Two Day Pass $25

Special dates

Oct. 5 from 3-9 p.m.

On opening day, adults receive a discounted entrance fee of $10 and can purchase a ride armband for $25. Rides will be open 3-10 p.m.

Oct. 9 Patriotic Day

Military members and their immediate family members receive free admission on Patriotic Day at the fair and can purchase a ride armband for $25. Rides will be open from 12-10 p.m.

Oct. 10 and 11

On Terrific Tuesday Oct. 10 and WOW Wednesday Oct. 11, adults receive a discounted admission rate of $10 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and ride armbands can be purchased for $25. Rides will be open from noon-10 p.m.

Oct. 15 Last Blast!

On the last day of the fair, rides open two hours early at 10 a.m. and will stay open until 10 p.m. Fairgoers can purchase ride armbands for $30 on that day.

Fairgoers ride the Galaxy rollercoaster Oct. 7 during opening day of the 32nd annual Georgia National Fair.
Fairgoers ride the Galaxy rollercoaster Oct. 7 during opening day of the 32nd annual Georgia National Fair. Jason Vorhees jvorhees@macon.com

This story was originally published September 28, 2023 at 1:10 PM.

JE
Jenna Eason
The Telegraph
Jenna Eason creates serviceable news around culture, business and people who make a difference in the Macon community for The Telegraph. Jenna joined The Telegraph staff as a Peyton Anderson Fellow and multimedia reporter after graduating from Mercer University in May 2018 with a journalism degree and interning at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jenna has covered issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Middle Georgia elections and protests for the Middle Georgia community and Telegraph readers. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER