The North Georgia State Fair: A Celebration of Fun, Thrills, and Tradition

The annual North Georgia State Fair attracts an estimated 365,000 people every year from North Georgia and neighboring states. The fair features live music, free attractions and shows, blue ribbon competitions, live farm and exotic animals, talented performers and dancers, fun food, and rides on the Great James H. Drew Exposition – one of the largest carnival midways in the U.S. The fair also offers free concerts with big names hitting the stage each year.

Fun and Entertainment:

The North Georgia State Fair features exhilarating rides, colorful games, and mouthwatering treats. From heart-pounding roller coasters to enchanting Ferris wheels, the fair’s amusement rides offer endless thrills and laughter for adventure seekers. For those seeking a more laid-back experience, the fair also includes a wide range of family-friendly rides and attractions, ensuring that everyone can find their favorite source of fun.

As one of the largest and most anticipated fairs in the state, this annual event draws visitors from near and far.
The fair showcases a delightful blend of classic attractions and modern entertainment.

A Food Lover’s Paradise:

No fair experience is complete without trying some of the delectable fair foods. The North Georgia State Fair offers a delightful array of savory delights and sweet treats. From traditional corn dogs and cotton candy to innovative creations, the fair’s food vendors cater to every palate.

Live Entertainment and Performances:

Entertainment takes center stage at the North Georgia State Fair, with a lineup of shows, live performances, and musical concerts. Visitors can witness awe-inspiring shows, enjoy live music, and be mesmerized by the fair’s diverse variety of entertainment.

The North Georgia State Fair offers a memorable and thrilling experience that has become a favorite part of the fall season. 

Dates:
September 18 through 28, 2025

Last Year’s Schedule (2025 coming soon):

Thursday, September 19

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • Opening Day: Free Admission
  • $20 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • North Georgia State Fair Beauty Pageant
  • Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus, 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm

Friday, September 20

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • Senior Day/Heroes Day
  • Senior Day: 9 am to 1 pm Special program, free admission all day for seniors 55 and older.
  • Heroes Day: All active, reserve or retired military veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, and healthcare workers are admitted free with valid identification.
  • $25 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus: 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm

Saturday, September 21

  • Gates Open at 10 am
  • Family Fun Day
  • 10 am to 11 am Free Admission & Free Rides (1 hour only)
  • $30 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person) sold only 11 am to 3 pm (good until close)
  • Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus: 3 pm, 5 pm, & 8 pm

Sunday, September 22

  • Gates Open at 12:30 pm
  • Family Day
  • $1 off admission with church bulletin
  • School Special 12:30 – 2 pm. Free admission & free rides for students (must have ticket distributed in schools)
  • $25 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • Beautiful Baby Contest (0 to 36 months) at 3 pm
  • Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus: 3 pm, 5 pm, & 8 pm

Monday, September 23

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • $20 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus: 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm

Tuesday, September 24

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • Special Populations Night
  • King And Queen of the Fair Special Needs Pageant at 7 pm

Wednesday, September 25

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • $20 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • Demolition Derby at 7 pm ($5000 prize)

Thursday, September 26

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • College Night: Free Admission With Valid College I.D
  • $20 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)

Friday, September 27

  • Gates Open at 4 pm
  • $25 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • American Bull Riders Tour at 8 pm
  • Bring 5 non-perishables can good items (must not be expired) and receive 1 free admission.

Saturday, September 28

  • Gates Open at 10 am
  • Family Fun Day
  • 10 am to 11 am free admission & free rides
  • $30 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person) Sold Only 11 am to 3 pm (Good Until Close)
  • Chainsaw Carving Auction at 7 pm
  • Little Roy And Lizzy Show at local entertainment stage at 5 pm and 8 pm
  • American Bull Riders Tour at 8 pm
  • Bring 5 non-perishables can good items (must not be expired) and receive 1 free admission.

Sunday, Sept. 29

  • Gates Open at 12:30 pm
  • Last Blast!
  • School Special 12:30 pm to 2 pm
  • Free admission & free rides for students (must have ticket distributed in schools)
  • $30 Pay-One-Price Unlimited Rides (per person)
  • American Bull Riders Tour at 6 pm
  • Bring 5 non-perishables can good items (must not be expired) and receive 1 free admission.

Gate Admission:

  • $10 admission.  Purchase half-price admission at any metro Atlanta O’Reilly Auto Parts store in September
  • Children 10 and under are free.
  • Ride tickets are $1.25 each, $20 for 21 tickets, $50 for 55 tickets and $100 for 120 tickets.
  • All rides require more than one ticket.
  • Ride tickets are cash, card, or tap to pay.
  • Parking is $5, cash only.
  • ATM machines are located on the midway.
  • Most vendors inside the park accept cash or cards.

Hours:

  • Monday through Thursday 4 pm to 11 pm
  • Fridays 4 pm to midnight
  • Saturdays 10 am to midnight
  • Sundays 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Please take note of the following policies that will be in effect during the fair:

  • Youth Attendance Policy: Individuals under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent after 6 pm daily.
  • Clear Bag Policy: For security reasons and to expedite entry, all bags brought into the fair must be clear and not exceed dimensions of 12” x 6” x 12”.  Also permitted is the use of one-gallon resealable clear plastic freezer bags and small clutch purses no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”.  Diaper bags are allowed but will be searched and tagged.
  • Gate Entry Policy: Entry will not be permitted after 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and after 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Address:
Jim Miller Park
2245 Callaway Road
Marietta, GA 30008

Contact Information:

Legendary Fair, Legendary Fun 

legendary-fair-legendary-fun-magazine-smFew events signal the start of fall quite like a fair imbued with the scent of cotton candy, the roar of rollercoasters and the halogen glow of old-fashioned carnival booths. This year, autumn in Cobb County begins the same way it has for years, with the start of the North Georgia State Fair. For 11 glorious days at the end of September, a local tradition… Read More…

Event organizer’s contact information:

Phone:
(770) 423-1330 through September 4
(770) 528-8989 after September 4

Website: NorthGeorgiaStateFair.com

North Georgia State Fair Non-Commercial Exhibits and Flower Show

Advertise on Marietta.com Sponsor This Page

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72 COMMENTS

  2. I have made a blanket and want to submit it at the fair and try for one of those great blue ribbons. Where do I need to go to submit the art work?

  3. Would like to get information on working the vendor booths, have tried several emails, with no response.

    Thanks in advance.

  4. I order some ride tickets and never recieved them. We are going to the fair next Saturday, Oct 2nd. Is there somewhere I can go to see where they might be?

    • Hi Kirsten,
      It would probably be best to check with the organization or website that sold you the tickets. If that does not work, try calling the event organizers at (770) 423-1330.

    • Hi Mandy,
      We have been when it was raining and when it was sunny, and you can definitely have fun either way. Some of the animal attractions are in covered areas, and some are outside. When it is raining, you will generally have cooler weather, shorter lines, and fewer people, however some of the attractions may be temporarily closed.

      Inside:

      Outside:

        • Hi Kayla,

          Here is the schedule for unlimited rides:
          Opening Day: $18 for unlimited
          9/24/11 $25 for unlimited rides (sold from 11am-3pm)
          9/26/11 $15 for unlimited rides
          9/27/11 $18 for unlimited rides
          9/28/11 $18 for unlimited rides
          10/1/11 $25 for unlimited rides (sold from 11am-3pm)

          • If we purchase unlimited rides before 3pm, are we able to come back (the same day) for no extra admission cost? Thanks in advance!

  7. Hello, I am a member of a student organization called LINK at KSU. We are focused on doing community service all over the world and we are planning our national service project for this year. For this we need to do fundraising. We were wondering if it was too late, and if not how much it would cost, to rent a booth at the Fair this year? Thankyou!

  9. We r looking forward 2 eating funnel cake’s n dancing with The Band Perry at ya’ll’s fair. We will be traveling from Statham Ga just west of Athens. My question is will there be any additional charge’s 4 admission 2 see The Band Perry ? Thank You very much, Bill Pollard and Family…….

  13. Hello,

    I’m trying to find the details for entering my baby in the Beautiful Baby contest and the link for additional information is not working, can you send me the details for entering please? Thank you much in advance!

    • Hi Everyone,

      Here is the information we found about the baby contest:

      From the smallest princesses and handsome young princes, even the youngest of fairgoers are recognized at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011. Each year the fair gives mothers and fathers the opportunity to show off their new additions to the family with the Beautiful Baby Contest, sponsored by Atlanta Parent Magazine. The judging is informal and the contestants may dress any way they want. Parents sign up your 0 to 36-month-old starting at 5:30 p.m. on the night of the contest. The competition will begin at 6:30 p.m. starting with 0-6 months and working up to 36 months in six-month increments. There is no cost to enter a child into the competition, but regular fair admission is required.

      Winners of each category will receive a plaque, and ribbons will be issued to 2nd and 3rd places. Be sure to bring your cameras you don’t want to miss the opportunity to photograph the future Mr. or Mrs. America.

      Admission prices are $5 for adults, $2 for students – ages 7 to 18 and free for children
      6 and under.

      Source: http://northgeorgiastatefair.com/Media/Fair%20Pageants.pdf

  15. I can honestly say I am very upset about the pageant last night for the babies. i know that they did not know what was going on but there was nothing.. no color nor coordination what so ever. this was the first year my daughter was in it and i was seriously disappointed.

  24. With the 1 free adult admission in exchange for 7 non perishable items on Saturday Sept 29, 2012, is that an all day special or would I have to come at a certain time?

  25. We are new to the area and was our first time to this fair grounds I have to say I am very disappointed I brought my teenager and several friends out to see colt ford and well needless to say we never got in to the fair because after sitting in line for what seem like forever we are then told we have to go up turn around and come back down and all that just to be rerouted to yet another location by this time it’s almost. Nine and from the looks of it there is no hope In getting in to see colt ford so all of our night was ruin not sure how you all need to do it but when you are. Bringing a name like colt ford to a place like that it should be better prepared to handle the people Who are gonna show up cuz it is really disappointing to the teenagers that have been planning this trip all week we have a trucking company and don’t get time off often and this was something that my kids really wanted to go to so everyone pitched in got the work done so we could go and have a good time but all we got was a trip around a block and a lot of wasted fuel oh and several sad faces when we were told we would. BE wasting our time cuz it would be over before we would ever get in not sure how to fix it so it is more people friendly but this is for sure not the way to go maybe having ticket sold just for a certain night and when they are gone there gone or several different shows by each preformer again I don’t know how it’s set up on the inside but plz try and figure out a way it can be more enjoyable for those of us that just want to see the concerts

    • The fair is not one big company. It is organized by the fair management and consists of the large carnival company (rides and games), individual vendors, paid entertainers and local competitive exhibitors, who all go their separate ways after it’s over. “It” does not just pick up and move somewhere else. Fairs can be similar, but are individually unique.

  28. Directions to the fair after the MARTA train station, that is, which bus and which is the best connection MARTA point. Thank you.

  31. The weather says it is suppose to be storming all day today. Will the concerts and everything still go on?

  36. Can you enter in the morning and leave at some point, returning later for the concert at 8:00 pm Saturday, and not have to pay?

  37. Do they sell chicks at the fair in the small animal section? And if they do, do you think they will still be there by October 2 on the last day?

  38. On Oct 1st am I reading correct that the rides are unlimited for 25 bucks? Do we have to get there at a certain time or is this all day

  46. Tengo muchos tickets que no pudieron usar mis hijos el sábado, pues llegamos un poco tarde, quería saber si esos tickets aún pueden usarse cualquier día o ya no sirven más?

  47. Went to the fair today and it started to rain. I asked someone at the gate if we could get back in so we could go get a jacket or umbrella so we wouldn’t get wet. But I was told w that we would have to pay another admission fee. Even though to park I would be able to park again without pay a second time. My children and I was very disappointed because we go to the fair and the circus a few times every time they are in town.

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