Access, rides, demo derby, concerts

The Monroe County Fair comes to town next week, offering a variety of carnival rides, fried foods, rodeos and demolition derbies at the Monroe County Fairgrounds from Saturday, June 29 through Sunday, July 7.

The iconic event dates back to 1855, when the first county fair was hosted by the Monroe County Agricultural Society. In the decades since, the fair has gone through many iterations, held everywhere from the Monroe County Courthouse to Dunn Meadow on the IU campus, and become one of the most beloved traditions in the area.

When is the Monroe County Fair?

The 2024 Monroe County Fair begins on Saturday, June 29 and ends on Saturday, July 6. The carnival starts on Tuesday, July 2 and lasts until July 6.

Events during the first weekend (prior to the fair) include hot air balloon rides from “Balloons over Bloomington” on June 30 and July 1 and the Monroe County Fair Queen & Princess Contest at the fairgrounds auditorium on Saturday, June 29.

How much is admission to the Monroe County Fair?

Daily admission is $5 per person, or $15 for a weekly pass. Children ages 6 to 12 can enter for a reduced rate of $3 per person ($10 for a weekly pass), and children 5 and under get in free.

Admission does not include the cost of tickets to rides and attractions.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the gate or weeklong passes can be purchased in advance online through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Presales through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater end June 29 at 4 p.m.

How much do the Monroe County Fair rides cost?

Tickets for amusement rides cost $2 each, and most rides/attractions cost two or more tickets.

The fair has various offers on tickets throughout the week. On opening night (Tuesday), bracelets for unlimited rides will cost $30. There will be two bracelets for $35 on Wednesday, July 3 and $35 each on Friday, July 5.

On Thursday, July 4 and Sunday, July 7, all rides cost only one ticket.

For a full list of ticket prices and discounts, visit monroecountyfairgrounds.in/carnival-information.

Also at the fair: hot air balloons, supercross, rodeo, demolition derby

In addition to the Carnival, some of the fair’s main attractions include the demolition derby, the rodeo, free concerts, and dirt bike and ATV racing.

Balloons over Bloomington(tethered balloon rides) will take place on the west lawn of the fairgrounds on Sunday, June 30 and Monday, July 1.

The Supercross dirt bike race is Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The rodeo It’s Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day) at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The demolition derby is Saturday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Free concerts will be held from July 1 to 5. For a complete list of times and performers, visit monroecountyfairgrounds.in/fair-schedule.

How much does parking cost at the fair?

Parking at the Monroe County Fair is free.

Where is the Monroe County Fair?

The fairgrounds are located at 5700 W. Airport Road.

What activities does the fair have on July 4?

On Independence Day, the fair will feature the rodeo, carnival, and two concerts. The rodeo is at 7 p.m. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. Singer/songwriter Dawn Keller will perform a concert at 6 p.m. and The All Access Band will perform at 8 p.m.

There will be no fireworks at the fairgrounds on the 4th of July. The fair plans to hold a fireworks show on June 28 as part of the fair’s kickoff.

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at [email protected].

This article originally appeared in The Herald-Times: Monroe County Fair Admission Ticket Offers for 4th of July Hot Air Balloons