Monster trucks and zebu: Craziest things we saw during Arizona State Fair opening weekend
The Arizona State Fair is back and with it a fair share of interesting spectacles. Whether you prefer to try the unique fair food, go on some of the insane rides or sit back and enjoy the music, there’s something for everyone.
Running from Sept. 22 to Oct. 29, Thursday through Sunday with gates opening at 12 p.m. General admission to the fair is $15 with tickets for rides available to purchase in sets, such as 40 tickets for $50. Wristbands are available for unlimited rides on Thursdays for $50.
We attended opening day. Here are the craziest things we saw.
The 4 best bites: Skip the pickle pizza. These are the best things to eat at the Arizona State Fair this year
Arizona State Fair monster trucks
On opening weekend of the Arizona State Fair, there was an All Star Monster Trucks event. During this show, six monster trucks from across the U.S. battled to see who would be crowned the 2023 Arizona State Champion.
You could hear the engines revving from across the park and if you stopped and watched at the Grandstand Arena, you could see them doing awe-inspiring wheelies and jumps.
If you didn’t have a chance to catch the monster trucks in action, don’t worry because the state fair will host them again along with loads of other extreme sport events at the Grandstand Arena this month including:
Figure 8 Races: Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1 and Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
Native American Rodeo: Friday Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
High School Rodeo: Friday, Oct. 20 at 12 p.m.
Xtreme Bulls: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
Quarter Midgets: Thursday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m.
All American Monster Trucks: Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
New fair foods like cereal sandwiches and pickled pizza
What’s a fair without fair food? The Arizona State Fair offers some interesting bites, whether you’re in the mood for pickle pizza topped with Hot Cheetos from Enzo’s or a chicken sandwich covered in Cap’n Crunch and honey raspberry sauce from Biggies. I won’t judge. Well, maybe just a little.
After seeking out the strangest of the new offerings, I suggest going for a refreshing agua fresca from Michelaguas. Specifically, the pepino con limon, which includes a tajin and chamoy rim, mango cubes and slices of cucumber. It’s a well needed break from the Arizona heat and heavy fair food.
What's a Zebu?
The Arizona State Fair showcases originated as a way to show off a bunch of different livestock through various competitions. And it still is.
In the Agriculture Center, we saw all sorts of animals including cows, sheep, bunnies, goats, baby chicks and roosters and we visited the Great American Petting Zoo, which runs the whole duration of the fair. There you can pet the animals, purchase animal feed to give them and take photos with goats, pigs, sheep, alpaca, a miniature donkey and a Zebu, a rather unique-looking humped cattle breed from South Asia.
People flying through the sky
If you look close enough you might see people soaring through the air at the fair. Don’t worry, they’re trained professionals.
The Flying Royals are a multi-generational flying trapeze show. The aerialists fly crossways, swing on poles and land gracefully. They are located at the North Coliseum entertainment area and have shows from Thursday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
Another sight to see includes The Silver Starlets, an all-female aerial acrobatics show at the Avenue Stage. These ladies use a 20-foot free-standing trapeze rig as their stage. Bending and contorting in the sky, they are captivating. Their upcoming shows include performances on Thursday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The fair will also have loads of other interesting acts including Roberto The Magnificent who juggles, unicycles and performs stunts, The Funny Waiter Show with a plate spinning routine and Hillia Hula Hoop Extraordinaire who incorporates hula hoop tricks with comedy.
Seriously wild rides
The rides at the state fair had to have been one of the craziest things we saw. Tossing and turning in all different directions, the newest ride, called the Raptor Coaster, had so many abrupt stops and drops it made our stomachs turn in the best way possible.
For the biggest thrill-seekers, opt for OMG, which makes it feel like you're pummeling straight towards the ground or try the Titan, which flips you upside down and propels you over 100 feet off the ground.
Worth the wait: The 10 best rides at the Arizona State Fair 2023, from thrilling coasters to romantic views
Arizona State Fair unlimited ride wristband
If you want to try them all, consider the unlimited ride wristband for $50, which is only available on Thursdays. They must be purchased at the fair between noon and 6 p.m. and are honored until 8:30 p.m.
Details: Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.
All the prices: How much are Arizona State Fair tickets, rides and parking
Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State Fair 2023: craziest things we saw opening weekend
