Manatee County Fair Opens Tonight

The Manatee County Fair — with its Hollywood theme — opens today and runs through Jan. 27.

“Manatee Goes Hollywood,” is the theme of this year’s county fair, to be held at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. W. Palmetto, just north of Bradenton. 

Major entertainment begins Friday night when Don Williams takes the stage at 8 p.m. The shows continue Saturday night with Johnny Staats and The Delivery Boys at 7 p.m. and Marty Raybon  at 8:30 p.m. On Sunday Josh Wilson will take the stage at 6 p.m. and For King and Country will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Arts and crafts exhibits and the youth livestock show always draw crowds and a BBQ Cook Off scheduled for Jan. 26 will be popular as well.  

Fair gate prices are $8 for adults age 18 and up; $7 for seniors age 55 and up; $5 for children ages 6 to 12; $5 for active military; and free for children age 5 and under.

Special pricing days include:

• Jan. 18 — Auto Way Ford “Kid’s Day at the Fair:” all students get in free from noon to 3 p.m.;
• Jan. 22 – $2 Tuesday: entry is $2 per person; 
• Jan. 23 – Senior’s Day: seniors age 55 and up get in for $5 per person.  

Midway armband specials are available daily and range in price from $18 to $20, with $2 rides on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The midway armbands provide unlimited rides for the dates and times specified below.

• Tonight — 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $18  
• Friday — Noon to Midnight, $20
• Saturday — Noon to Midnight, $20  
• Sunday — 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., $20
• Monday, Jan. 21 — Noon to 10 p.m., $20
• Tuesday, Jan. 22 — 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $2 rides  
• Wednesday, Jan. 23 — 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., $18
• Thursday, Jan. 24 — 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $18  
• Friday, Jan. 25 — 5 p.m. to Midnight, $20  
• Saturday, Jan. 26 — Noon to Midnight, $20
• Sunday, Jan. 27  1 p.m. to 7 p.m., $18

Fair hours vary daily. New this year, the fair parking entrance is on 10th Street, across from the Armory.  

Going to the fair? Share your photos here.