I've loved coming here since I was a kid, and my visit this year did not disappoint with my own…read morekids. This was the first year they really wanted to ride the rides.
The first time we showed up just when the fair opened on the weekend, and parking was ample, so we didn't upgrade. When we returned on a later day after school, we upgraded the parking so we could get in right away. Either way. I finally know my way around: we entered through YesterYear village. I prefer leaving this way as well, as there is some space for kids running around and some benches in the village to chill and sit, plus a bathroom to use, before leaving. And... they had these giant hot glazed donuts that might have made its way into my hands for the ride home!
On our tamer first visit, we looked at all the animals, and pet all the animals - my favorite part!
Parade: short, certainly not worth 'waiting' for.
The ice show: interesting. it was free. I appreciate the attempt to make a pirate themed ice show but some of the costumes fell short. People were snickering around us, which didn't help. Thank you to the awesome ice skaters! A cool spot to 'rest' in an air-conditioned indoor space on a hot day.
The magic show: well my kids loved this. Silly, but they loved it so much they wanted to see the exact same show on their return visit.
Pirate acrobat show: my younger kid liked it a lot, my older son could barely tolerate, but for me it was a miss (the pirate theme, especially).
Acrigulture mini-fun row: this was so fun for my kids. Saddling fake horses, scooping fake poop, milking a fake cow: they thought this was golden.
Fair food: we ate these giant donuts that were super reasonably priced for the amount of donut and filling we received. Note to self: no one ever finishes anything: bring ziplock bags because they complained they wanted to 'eat it later.' I let my kids get cotton candy, and some other ice cream concoction another time. They mostly ate the same kid theme of chicken tenders, fries, burgers, pizza. I mostly ate their leftovers- because they were finished by the time I could think about finding my own food. And then I added on some arepas later- so overpriced but delicious in the moment.
My kids loved the kids rides. We bought the fastpasses, which were unnecessary on the kids rides, but a lifesaver when they moved to the adult rides. It's so fun for them to be able to repeat their favorite rides over and over. I did just buy tickets the first time, but the unlimited wristbands ahead of time. Note to self: splurge on purchasing the wristbands ahead of time!
My kids begged to return every day. Why is the fair so long?! J/K... please extend LOL