Our Guide: 50th State Fair 2024
Come out for delicious carnival food, a petting zoo, thrilling rides and Columbian trapeze artists at the 50th State Fair.
It’s that time of the year again—the beloved 50th State Fair returns just in time for summer with amusement rides, midway games, a petting zoo, monster trucks and carnival foods from Friday, May 24, through Sunday, July 7. This annual island tradition for O‘ahu ‘ohana has been taking place for more than a century and will be held this year at the lower Hālawa lot of Aloha Stadium. See the new rides and attractions for this year in our guide.
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Photo: Courtesy of E.K. Fernandez Shows
Admission and Credits
Attending the 50th State Fair isn’t cheap, which is why we want to share the prices ahead of time so you can plan and note discount days. As with previous years, all the rides, games and food can be paid for via credits on a Fun Pass, and each credit is equivalent to 10 cents.
If you have your old Fun Pass from previous years, bring it to the red kiosks marked “Reload Only.” Any remaining credits on your old Fun Pass will be usable at the 50th State Fair. Or you can purchase a new pass at the kiosks labeled “Purchase Only” at the fair’s entrance—just note that the minimum purchase for a new card is $20.
Want to just attend the fair without a Fun Pass? You can purchase an admission-only ticket for 100 credits, or $10. A few kiosks only accept cash, while others take both cash and credit/debit cards. Per the website, the smaller Fun Pass trailers inside the fair take cash only. The red kiosks in the games tent accept both cash and debit/credit cards.
Admission ranges from $3 to $6 (30 to 60 credits).
- 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.: 30 credits ($3)
- 5 p.m. to closing: 60 credits ($6)
- Keiki under 40 inches tall: Free
When Are the Cheapest Days to Go?
Save money by marking these discount days:
- Sunday, May 26, from noon to 5 p.m.: Half off all rides. Admission is 30 credits.
- Monday, May 27, noon to 5 p.m.: Half off rides. Admission is 30 credits. That same Monday is also Military Appreciation Day, so all active-duty or retired military personnel and their dependents can enjoy free admission.
Check the website each week for discount day updates.
Photo: Tien Enga
Rides and Height Requirements
One of the biggest draws at the 50th State Fair (besides the food and games) is the rides! 18 rides are available this year, including some of the larger rides, like the Zipper and Wave Swinger. See below for all rides, their height requirements and the number of credits required.
Balloon Race
Height Requirement:
- 36” unless accompanied
- 54” maximum
Credits: 40
Carousel
Height Requirement:
- 24” with an adult
- 42” alone
Credits: 40
Century Wheel
Height Requirement:
- 54” unless accompanied
Credits: 60
Dizzy Dragons
Height Requirement:
- 42” minimum
Helicopters
Height Requirement:
- 36” unless accompanied
- 54” maximum
Credits: 40
Wacky Worm
Height Requirement:
- 36” with an adult
- 42” alone
Lolli Swings
Height Requirement:
- 42” minimum
Credits: 40
Magic Maze
Height Requirement:
- 36” with an adult
- 42” alone
Credits: 40
Pharaoh’s Fury
Height Requirement:
- 48” minimum
Credits: 66
Scooter
Height Requirement:
- 42” with an adult
- 48” alone
- 48” to drive
Credits: 60
Seven Seas
Height Requirement:
- 42” with an adult
- 48” alone
Credits: 60
Speedway
Height Requirement:
- 36” minimum
Credits: 40
Super Sizzler
Height Requirement:
- 42” with an adult
- 48” alone
Credits: 60
Super Slide
Height Requirement:
- 42” unless accompanied
Credits: 40
Wave Swinger
Height Requirement:
- 45” minimum
Credits: 66
Zero Gravity
Height Requirement:
- 42” minimum
- 76” maximum
Credits: 60
Zipper
Height Requirement:
- 48” minimum
*No single riders
Credits: 66
Entertainment and Attractions
From Friday, May 24, through Sunday, June 16, the Flying Cortes will appear with their twisting, spinning and somersaulting performances. The Columbian trapeze performers will be wow-ing audiences on Friday nights at 7 and 9 p.m., Saturdays at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday at 2, 5 and 7 p.m.
You don’t have to be a kid to think monster trucks are cool! The fair is going to be hosting an epic monster truck show from Friday, June 21, through Sunday, July 7.
Also, Colton Farms will be arriving on Friday, May 24, with a petting zoo through Sunday, July 7. From Friday, June 21, through Sunday, July 7, the petting zoo will include a farm animal race.
From Friday, June 21, through Sunday, July 7, there will be a family-friendly circus with interactive activities for children. And from Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will appear throughout the fair on Friday, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Saturday, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday and Monday at 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Details for a few of these shows are still being finalized, so check the website for updates, times and price.
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What to Eat
Expect all the carnival food favorites like corn dogs, cotton candy, deep-fried Oreos and funnel cakes. Vendors include Crazy Country Corn, Flying Saucers, Dippin’ Dots and more.
Tips
- The website is updated every week, so check online for news and announcements of discount days.
- Bring your old Fun Pass cards, as there is a fee to purchase a new one.
- Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. In the past, the ride lines were the longest on Saturdays between 7 and 9:30 p.m. and the shortest in the afternoons.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking and standing in lines. If you go during the day or midday, wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat since it can get hot.
The 50th State Fair runs from Friday, May 24, through Sunday, July 7. Hours vary, with the fair closing most evenings between 10 p.m. and midnight. Aloha Stadium, Lower Hālawa Lot, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., 50thstatefair.com, @ekfernandezshows
