Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Smarty Guide to the Dixie Classic Fair
By Katie M
The Dixie Classic Fair kicks off on Friday, October 2nd (and will run through October 11) in Winston-Salem and I'm already counting down the days. I love that we have a fair like this in our area. My husband grew up in Minnesota where the Minnesota State Fair is always a huge deal, and I've lived in Ohio where the Ohio State Fair was a pretty big event, too. In my opinion, Dixie Classic Fair ranks right up there with these big state fairs.
Besides the rides (which are usually the same every year but are always a hit with our kids), our favorite things at the fair are visiting the animals and watching for the unexpected - either with a performance or through people watching (ha, ha, ha!). Last year our unexpected was a thrill for Emily: she was able to "pretend cheer" with a group of local high school cheerleaders who were performing for the crowds. Another hit with our family is the dog puppet who drives a truck through the animal section of the fair and talks with children. To this day I still don't get how it works! Here's the scoop on this year's fair...
This year, the fair celebrates its 127th anniversary and is now considered the 50th largest fair in North America, and the second largest in North Carolina! I'm sure many of you have been to this fair. But even if you've been - or if this will be your first time - there's sure to be something new you haven't seen or experienced. So, I scoured the Dixie Classic Fair web site to find, narrow down and simplify - all the information us moms will need to make our trip this year the most organized and entertaining yet! We hope you find these tips and tibits useful. If you still have questions, feel free to email us here and we'll do our best to get the answers you need before the fair begins.
Dates and Times
Friday October 2nd – Sunday, October 11th
Sunday Through Friday: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
All gate ticket sales stop at 10:00 each evening
Click here to get a day-by-day listing of special events
Tickets
Gate Admission
Adults (ages 12 & up) – $8
Children (ages 6 – 11) – $4
Children (5 & under) and Senior Adults (65 & over, with ID) – Free
Early Bird Special
(Any gate)
Weekdays only from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – $3
Advance Purchase Discount
Save $1 per ticket by purchasing in advance! Tickets NOW ON SALE. All sales end on Thursday, October 1st.
Purchase Advance Tickets Online or at Advance Ticket Locations
*NEW* 3-Day Fun Pass
Three days of fun for a greater discount. The 3-day fun pass is just $18. These tickets will only be sold at the LJVM Box Office and online until October 1st.
Advance Ride Booklets
The discounted booklet includes 24 coupons for only $12 – a savings of roughly 33% for purchasing in advance! Rides generally take 3 to 5 coupons per ride. Plan on 5 rides per booklet on the midway; 6 rides in Kiddieland.
Buy your Booklet online or at these locations!
Coupon Days
Wendy’s / 107.5 KZL Day At The Fair!
Friday, Oct. 2nd, Monday, Oct. 5th, Tuesday, Oct. 6th and Thursday, Oct. 8th
Get Your Coupon at a participating Wendy’s and pay admission and $20.00
($25.00 without coupon) to ride all the rides!
Maps, Directions and Parking
Click here
Rides
The park offers two areas of rides: Major and Specatacular Rides for older kids and adults, and Kiddieland Rides for the little ones. For a complete description on every ride, including height requirements, click here.
Food
Ok, leave behind your calorie counters because you'll find nothing healthy here - but everything delicious and fun to eat. From candy apples, to cotton candy, fried candy bars, turkey legs, funnel cakes, BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, and much more, the fair has over 100 food concessionaires located throughout the Fair. For a complete list of what is offered, click here.
This Year's Entertainment
For dates, times and descriptions on this year's list of entertainers, click here. And for other popular attractions featured every year at the fair, click here.
Other Smarty Tips:
- The fair does not allow pets inside Fairgrounds, with the exception of service dogs.
- Manual wheelchairs, motorized scooters and strollers are available for rent at the Fairgrounds, but cannot be reserved in advance.
- The Winston-Salem Rescue Squad/First Aid will be on-site throughout the Fair schedule.
- Paging service is provided at the fee of $1 per page at the Clock Tower Information Booth.
- If you lose keys, wallets, IDs, etc. during the Fair, you may check at the Clock Tower Stage Information Booth to see if it has been turned in. If it has not been located before you leave, you may call the Dixie Classic office at 336.727.2236. Note: Some things still show up within two weeks after the Fair; you may still contact the office Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- A Baby Changing / Feeding tent will be set up between the Clock Tower Information Booth and the Grandstand.
- There will be a few ATMs located on the Fairgrounds.
If anyone out there is a true Dixie Classic Fair connoisseur and can add additional Smarty tips, please do so below! Hope to see you out there!
3 comments:
Sat Oct 10 and Sun Oct 11 are Winston-Salem Journal family fun Days. From open-5 pm you can buy an unlimited ride band for the kiddieland rides for $8. This is great if you have kids 7 and under who like the rides. The bungee jumper thing, pony rides, and the super slide were not included last year, though, but the carousel, the roller coaster, the train, etc were.
I LOVE the Dixie Classic! This blog makes me excited for it to get here.
Amazing tips! This really helped with our planning. I was overwhelmed with all the info. We went this weekend and had a wonderful experience.
Michelle
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