Jacksonville Fair: Everything you need to know for this year's fair, Nov. 2-12
The official name is the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, but hardly anyone uses the full thing. It’s the Jacksonville Fair, and it’s getting ready to kick off Nov. 2-12 at the Fairgrounds in the shadow of EverBank Stadium.
Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Wasn’t the Jacksonville Fair going to relocate?
There has been talk about moving the fair to a new spot on Jacksonville’s Westside and the latest estimate is that it will be relocated in 2025. The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association owns the current fairgrounds and is in negotiations to sell it to Shad Khan’s Iguana Investments.
What are the hours for the Jacksonville Fair?
The fair will be open from 5-11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, and Friday, Nov. 3; noon-11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4; noon-10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5; 5-11 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, through Thursday, Nov. 9; noon-11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11; and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12.
How much are tickets to the Jacksonville Fair?
Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12 and 65 or older.
Are there any special admission days at the Jacksonville Fair?
Thursday, Nov. 2: Free admission with purchase of a $15 unlimited ride armband.
Friday, Nov. 3: Free admission for ages 65 and older.
Monday, Nov. 6: Two fair admissions for $12 or two fair admissions and unlimited ride armbands for $40.
Tuesday, Nov. 7: $2 admission, $2 per ride, $25 unlimited ride armbands
Wednesday, Nov. 8: Kids 12 and under admitted free with paid adult, $15 unlimited ride armbands.
Thursday, Nov. 9: Free admission, $15 unlimited ride armbands with valid college ID.
Friday, Nov. 10: Free admission for active duty and retired military, veterans and their families, $20 unlimited ride armbands with ID.
Sunday, Nov. 12: Free admission noon-6 p.m. with Jaguars-49ers ticket.
What rides will be at the Jacksonville Fair?
Rides scheduled to be at the fair include the Giant Wheel, Power Surge, Ring of Fire, Rock & Roll, Scorpion, Sky Wheel and Zero Gravity. There will also be a section of kids’ rides that includes a pit filled with freshly roasted coffee beans from nearby Maxwell House.
Can I get unlimited rides bracelets at the Jacksonville Fair?
Armbands that will allow you to ride as much as you like can be added to your admission ticket. On Monday-Thursday, admission and an armband costs $35; on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the cost is $40.
Are there concerts at the Jacksonville Fair?
All Main Stage concerts are included with fair admission.
Nov. 2: Madison Grace, 6:45 p.m.; Let’s Ride Brass Band, 9 p.m.
Nov. 3: Rambler Kane, 6 p.m. Robbie Dammit and the Broken Strings, 7 p.m.; Beau & the Burners, 9 p.m.
Nov. 4: Jackie Stranger, 2 and 4:15 p.m.; Kaden & the Meeks, 3:15 p.m.; Madison Grace, 5:30 p.m.; Dalton Dover, 7 p.m.
Nov. 5: The Instagators, 1 and 3:30 p.m.; Anytime At All, 2 p.m.; Sunriver, 6 p.m.; Kevin PM, 7 p.m.; Rambler Kane, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 6: The Instagators, 7:45 and 9 p.m.
Nov. 7: Underdawg, 7 p.m.; the Instagators, 7:45 and 9 p.m.
Nov. 8: The Instagators, 7:45 p.m., Dennis Lee Band, 9 p.m.
Nov. 9: Dennis Lee Band, 5 and 7:45 p.m.; the Instagators, 6 and 9 p.m.
Nov. 10: Dennis Lee Band, 12:30 and 2:45 p.m.; the Instagators, 1:45 and 3:30 p.m.; Patsy’s Daydream, 6 p.m.; Madison Grace, 7 p.m.; Steel’n Peaches, 9 p.m
Nov. 11: Dennis Lee Band, 12:45 and 4:15 p.m.; the Instagators, 1:45 and 3:15 p.m.; Jason Evans Band, 5:30 p.m.; Stephen Carey, 6:45 p.m.
Nov. 12: Dennis Lee Band, 1 and 3:15 p.m.; the Instagators, 2 p.m.; 904 Oneders, 4 p.m.; Sunriver, 5:15 p.m.; Rambler Kane, 6:15 p.m.; Jackie Stranger, 8:15 p.m.
Are there any contests at the Jacksonville Fair?
The fair includes horticulture and livestock contests, along with baking contests for pies, cupcakes and cakes, plus arts & crafts contests in eight categories, a honey competition and a pallet decorating contest. This year also has a Sidewalk Mural Competition, a S.T.E.M. Challenge, a Trash Art Competition and a Welding Sculpture Competition.
What else is new at the Jacksonville Fair?
Sea Lion Splash is a show featuring live California and South American sea lions and their trainers. Live Shark Encounter sees a diver interacting with sharks in a tank. Purgatory Ironworks is a live forging demonstration.
Where do I park for the Jacksonville Fair?
The fairgrounds itself is used as a parking lot for most of the year for events at nearby venues but, obviously, that won’t work during the fair. For fair parking, patrons are directed to use one of the nearby city lots or garages.
Are any other events happening during the fair that might create traffic and parking issues?
The fairgrounds shares parking with VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, 121 Financial Ballpark and EverBank Stadium, so events at those venues will increase congestion in the area. The Jacksonville Icemen hockey team has home games at the arena on Nov. 2, Nov. 8 and Nov. 11, and R&B singer Fantasia has a concert at the arena on Nov. 4. The Jaguars play a home game against the San Francisco 49ers on the last day of the fair, Nov. 12.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Fair 2023: Schedule, rides, concerts, contests
