PUEBLO, Colo. — The 2019 Colorado State Fair opened , Friday, August 23rd, for its annual 11-day run through Labor Day. This year’s theme is “Horsin’ Around Since 1869 in Pueblo, Colorado” and celebrates 150 years of horse shows and competitions, which began before the official state fair was organized.
Nearly 500,000 visitors are expected to visit the historic fairgrounds to take in new and traditional favorite attractions, animal, fine art, and food exhibits, contests, concerts, rodeos and more. Pueblo Transit will operate free shuttles from 10 a.m. – midnight every day of the fair, running every 15-30 minutes from the Main Street parking garage to the fair’s main entrance gate.
New Attractions This Year
A number of free new attractions will debut at the fair this year, including an 80-foot high diver, pig races, hypnotist, wild west show, bucket ‘o cookies, balloon sculptor, electric trains, and more.
Music and Entertainment
The 2019 concert line-up features Aaron Watson, Ramon Ayala, Brett Young, Halestorm, Granger Smith, The Beach Boys, Banda Machos, and 38 Special presented by the Colorado Lottery. Rodeo events will include four nights of PRCA Ram Rodeos, Calcutta and Ranch Rodeo and Celebración de Los Charros. The Crabtree Carnival will feature more than 66 attractions with three new rides this year.
Special Events
A host of diverse special events will offer something for everyone and include the State Fair Parade, Stampede 5K Run and Fun Walk, World Slopper Eating Championship, monster trucks and demolition derby, presentation by Temple Grandin, and Fiesta Day Celebration. The Junior Livestock Auction will continue a 39-year tradition of supporting the future of Colorado’s agribusiness and highlighting the importance of raising quality livestock and the work required of those who pursue careers in agriculture.
Discount Days
Discount days at the fair help make the event accessible to all with free admission for seniors on Mondays, free entry for kids on Friday, two dollar admission for all visitors on Tuesday, free entry for school students statewide on Thursday, and half price admission for all active military and first responders on Sunday, August 25. Coupons for $3 off general admission are available in Cavender’s stores throughout the run of the fair.
For a complete schedule of daily events, fair hours, admission pricing, and parking information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com, and the Colorado State Fair Facebook page or call 719-404-2080.
The state fairgrounds provides nearly $34 million in economic activity to Colorado throughout the year; $29 million of that activity is driven by the annual State Fair event. In addition to showcasing Colorado agriculture, the annual event features one of the country’s largest traveling carnivals, artwork, crafts, food competitions, rodeo action, a wide variety of food and merchandise booths and a Fiesta Day honoring Colorado’s Hispanic culture.
— Colorado Department of Agriculture
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