黑料福利社

It's time to prepare for this year鈥檚 Central Washington State Fair.

The annual 10-day event runs Friday through Sept. 28 at State Fair Park with the theme "Cowabunga 鈥� It鈥檚 Fair Time." This year鈥檚 theme celebrates the importance of the 黑料福利社鈥檚 dairy industry.

Fair CEO Kathy Kramer said at the moment, the fairgrounds are an organized calm before the storm. Carnival rides are being constructed, vendors are filling their stalls and exhibit halls and barns are being loaded with art, quilts, canned food, animals and more.听

"Part of the fun for me is watching the transformation of this property," Kramer said in an interview. "It's almost magical when all the partners in the Granges, the food vendors, everybody does their thing and individual pieces become a collective whole. The buildings are transforming into something spectacular."听

"I like to tell everybody there's so much to do, please go to our website and plan your visit."

Here's what you need to know to make the best of your time at State Fair Park听鈥� from shuttle service to new local food favorites:

The basics

Hours for this year鈥檚 fair are noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 22-25, noon-11 p.m. Sept. 26-27 and noon-9 p.m. Sept. 28.

Regular gate admission for adults costs $14.50 Monday-Thursday and $16 Friday-Sunday. Gate admission everyday costs $9.50 for youth ages 6-12 and $11.50 for seniors 65 years and older. Kids five years and under are free every day.

Each day, tickets for military (includes active, reserve, retired, veterans) and first responders (includes sheriff, police, fire, EMS) are $9 and $10 for family of military and first responders.

Metal detectors are a new feature at each gate this year and Kramer said they are high velocity, walk-through detectors, and can handle large crowds.听

"Safety and security is our No. 1 priority and we continue to look for ways to enhance that every year," Kramer said. "We want to remind everyone to please leave the prohibited items at home or in your car. Visit for a complete list of items that are prohibited."听

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Gate discounts

On Friday, opening day, from noon-4 p.m., gate admission is $5, and parking is free.

On Sept. 22, 鈥淧ay One Price鈥� day, attendees pay $36 all day for gate admission and unlimited carnival rides with Franz proof of purchase or by following Franz on social media.

Senior appreciation and military appreciation day is Sept. 23. All day gate admission is $9 for seniors 65 and over, military, including active, reserve, retired and veterans.

Gate admission is free from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 24. Free admission is accessible by donating three new and unopened pet supplies; chewy dog treats, cat toys that dangle, Kong/interactive dog toys, slip leashes and cat/dog food (canned or small bags).

On Sept. 25, parking, gate admission and select food bites are $5 from 2-5 p.m.

Free shuttle service

Avoid parking fees by taking free shuttle rides from Yakima Transit and Union Gap Transit to the fair.

Shuttles will continuously run between State Fair Park and the parking lot at former Astria Regional Medical Center, 110 S. Ninth Ave. on Friday-Sunday and Sept. 26-28. Shuttles start 30 minutes prior to gates opening. The last departure from the fairgrounds is 30 minutes after gates close. The schedule is .

The Union Gap Transit shuttle will run every day of the CWSF to and from the Union Gap Fire Station鈥檚 parking lot, 107 W. Ahtanum Road. Shuttle services start 30 minutes prior to gates opening and conclude 30 minutes after gates close.

The drop off and pick up spot at the fairgrounds is in the bus express lane next to the SunDome, near the pink gate.

Fair food

The popular lamb burger booth is celebrating 100 years at the fair this year, now the longest running food vendor. The booth started as a fundraiser by the Washington State Wool Growers Auxiliary.

Fairgoers will be treated to new food items this year; S鈥檓ores funnel cake, caramel apple funnel cake, hot honey popcorn chicken, PB&J jammin鈥� cone chicken, hot honey and pepperoni pizza and bacon ranch fries.

Azar鈥檚 Everything $5, one of the new food booths this year, features food items, including sliders, quesadilla pockets, chicken strips, regular and waffle fries, all for $5.

Also new at this year's fair is听State Fair Park Foundation Dole Whip stand.

"We are bringing Dole Whip to the 黑料福利社," Kramer said. Dole Whip is a dairy-free, soft-serve frozen treat.听

"We will be serving pineapple and strawberry and if that's not enough, you can get a swirl combination of both."听

Other new food booths include Azar鈥檚 Smash Burgers, Korean Corn Dogs, Winston鈥檚 British Fish and Chips and Western Delight, making old fashioned sodas made with 100% cane sugar from Amish recipes.

Specialty crafted beer Cowbabunga Beer, a hazy session IPA by Varietal Beer Company in Sunnyside, is created to celebrate the fair and the hop harvest.

Show your talent

Back this year is the popular apple pie baking contest, featuring adult and youth categories with three prize levels.

鈥淪o, bakers, dust off your favorite apple pie recipes and start planning 鈥� you could go home with a $500 first-place prize and bragging rights for the best apple pie in the Valley!鈥� Kramer said in a news release.

Other contests include salsa and amateur wine, homebrew and specialty beverages such as hard cider/seltzer, kombucha and mead.

鈥淭he fair offers so many ways for the community to showcase their talent,鈥� Kramer said. 鈥淵ou make it, you grow it, you raise it, you collect it, we take it. The Fair is the perfect opportunity to have your projects on display and to compete for a blue ribbon and cash awards.鈥�

Workshops at the fair

Workshops led by Farmgirl Pickings will be new to the Home Town Market Place in the SunDome. A variety of workshops can be purchased in advance at , including creating custom burned hats, mini pumpkin arrangements, dried flower wine glasses and more.

The fair will continue its support of local small businesses with the Home Town Market Place in the SunDome, open each day of the fair.

Entertainment

Separate tickets are required for Toyota Entertainment in the Coca-Cola Grandstand and include fair admission. General admission tickets cost $23 adults (13-64 years), $13.75 seniors (65 years and older) and youth (6-12 years) at .

Motocross, Nitro Fire, Quads & Thrills shows are Sept. 20-21 at 2 and 6 p.m.

Experience the destruction at the Demolition Derby Truck & Trailer Figure 8 Racing at 2 and 6 p.m. Sept. 27; and new event Demolition Derby and Motorhomes Demo Derby at 6 p.m.听Sept. 28.

"Demolition derbies are back," Kramer said. "We're very excited about the last Sunday. If you haven't seen this, you want to see the motorhome demo derby. Motorhomes will actually be contending until there's only one standing and they are hysterical to watch."听

Regional Latino bands will perform at 7 p.m. Fridays鈥揝undays in The Cantina for free. Free entertainment on the Community Stage includes performances by Michael Mezmer鈥檚 comedy hypnosis show, The Junebugs and Flowers for Wolves.

"We will have four stages of entertainment throughout the fair, so check the schedules," Kramer said. "We work really hard to make sure that the Community Stage represents our area from听Mariachi to kids dance groups and more."

Visit for a complete schedule of events and details.