Labor Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time for some iconic end-of-summer local events — including the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. 

The annual state fair kicks off this Friday, running for nearly two weeks through Sept. 1. It will feature exhilarating carnival rides, delicious fair food and concerts. 

Here’s a look at what you can expect this year: 

Prices

Before you head to Pueblo, here’s how much you can expect to pay for gate admission and carnival wristbands this year: 

Gate admission 

• Adults: $15; Kids ages 5-12: $7; Children 4 and under: Free

Carnival Wristbands

• Unlimited ride band: $34 through Aug. 21, $42 starting Aug. 22

• Megapass (includes gate admission): $162 through Aug. 21, $202 starting Aug. 22

*$2 fee for wristbands and cards purchased on site

To purchase tickets online, click here. To buy tickets at the fair, visit Gate 3 (Mesa Ave.), Gate 5 (Prairie Ave.) or Gate 9 (Beulah Ave.).

Parking and shuttle service 

• Public parking will be available in the lot south of the fairgrounds between Mesa and Northern Avenue. Parking is $5 Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday, cash only. 

Parking will also be available in the Hangar Lot at 905 S. Prairie Ave. Enter going southbound on Prairie Ave. between Small and Tulane avenues. Parking in this lot is $15.

• A shuttle will run every 15 to 30 minutes from Pueblo’s Main Street Parking Garage, located at 110 S. Main St., to the State Fair Gate 5 on Prairie Avenue. The shuttle is free, as is parking in the garage.  

Shuttle hours: 3-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day.

Deals and Discounts

This year, you can expect almost daily deals including free admission and discounts. Here’s a look: 

• Aug. 22 & 29: Free admission for seniors over 60 and “$5 ’til 5 Friday” admission will be $5, and every food stand will offer a $5 item until 5 p.m.

• Aug. 24: Military and first responders get $8 off admission

• Aug. 25 & Sept. 01: Free admission for kids 12 and under

• Aug. 26: Free admission with a donation of two canned food items

• Aug. 27: One Price Wednesday – $15 gets you admission, ranch rodeo, Ned LeDoux concert and one carnival wristband

• Aug. 28: Free admission and $25 carnival wristband with a CSU Pueblo student voucher or coupon

• Aug. 31: $3 off admission with a non-winning lottery ticket

Concerts and events

What’s a state fair without a concert lineup of big names and fun events? See who’s set to play at the fair this year and the rodeo schedule below:

• Fri., Aug. 22: PRCA Rodeo with Cooper Alan

• Sat., Aug. 23: Colorado State Fair Parade , Lee Brice

• Sun., Aug. 24: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias Live, PRCA Rodeo with Clay Walker  

• Mon., Aug. 25: PRCA Rodeo

• Tues., Aug. 26: Governor’s Plate Competition 

• Wed., Aug. 27: Ranch Rodeo + Ned LeDoux concert – Free with admission 

• Thur., Aug. 28: My Generation Tour starring The Lovin’ Spoonful, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and The Hollies Greatest Hits with Terry Sylvester

• Fri., Aug. 29: Flo Rida with special guest Chamillionaire , Monster Trucks

• Sat., Aug. 30: Russell Dickerson with special guest Drew Green , Demolition Derby , Monster Trucks , World Slopper Eating Championship 

• Sun., Aug. 31: Celebracion de los Charros with Los Huracanes del Norte , Cheap Trick

• Mon., Sept. 1: Cody Cozz – free with admission

Click here to see this year’s free concert schedule.

Free attractions

• NEW* Agventure Ag-tivity Land: Magic show, inflatable corn maze, educational activities, kids pedal tractor pulls and more — Agricultural Pavilion

• All American High Dive Show — daily in the State Fair Plaza

• Swifty Swine Racing Pigs — Triangle Park

• Great American Petting Farm — inside the Colorado Building

• Rock-It The Robot

• Do Colorado Right exhibit

• Display of vintage tractors — north side of the Sheep & Swine Building

• Colorado Proud Farm Trail — daily in the Small Animal Building

Click here to see a map of the fair grounds. 

Competitive exhibits 

A big part of the state fair is competitions showcasing agriculture, arts, food and more. 

Here are some standout competitive exhibits to look out for this year:

• Market Lamb Showmanship – 5 p.m. at the CSU Pavilion on Fri., Aug. 22

• Pet Rock, rock rolling – 11 a.m. at the Creative Arts Building on Sun., Aug. 22

• King Arthur Baking Competition – 2:05 p.m. at the Creative Arts Building on Sun., Aug. 22

• Master Showmanship Show – 7 p.m. at the CSU Pavilion on Mon., Aug. 25

• AQHA Team Roping – 2 p.m. at the Horse Show Complex on Wed., Aug. 27

• Miniature Zebu Show – 4 p.m. at the CSU Pavilion on Fri., Aug. 29 

• Draft and Mule Challenge – 1 p.m. at the Horse Show Complex on Fri., Aug. 29

• Open Dairy Goat Milking Competition – 7 p.m. at the Sheep & Swine Barn on Sat., Aug. 30

• NWSS Catch-A-Calf Show – 2 p.m. at the CSU Pavilion on Sun., Aug. 31