Washington State Spring Fair 2021: What to Expect at This Year’s Drive-Through Fair in Puyallup

My first visit to the Washington State Spring Fair was more than 20 years ago (!!!) back when it was called the Puyallup Spring Fair. I’ve gone a few times since then, but am looking forward to checking out 2021’s incarnation, which will be a drive-through experience with a few “step-out” events and attractions. I’m sure it won’t be the same as past year’s happenings, but I am so excited that the Fair found a way to stay open as my daughter is the perfect age for baby animals and cotton candy.

What You Need to Know

The Spring Fair takes place April 7-11 and 14-17, 2021. Fair hours are 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. with most things closing down at 9 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance and you’ll need to select a time slot when you buy.
Tickets are per carload instead of per person.
Visitors must wear masks when they get out of their cars and follow all the usual CDC COVID guidelines.
Much of the Fair is a drive-through experience, but there are several events that you can stop and enjoy outside of your car as well as rides you can walk in and enjoy, too.
Food and vendors will only be taking credit cards.

You’ll see plenty of farm animals along the driving route.

What to Expect at the Washington State Spring Fair in 2021

There are a few facets to the Spring Fair this year: the drive-through experience, a special events that’s included with your ticket, as well as add-on events that cost extra.

The Drive-Through Part

The 2021 Spring Fair will be largely a drive-through experience, much like the holiday lights event the Fairgrounds held in November and December 2020 (if you didn’t go and are a long-time Fair fan like me, it’s kind of fun just to be able to drive through the fairgrounds).

The drive-through portion of the Fair will feature a lot of the usual favorites. You’ll see animals, including farm animals and Brad’s World of Reptiles. There will be strolling musicians, jugglers, and more entertainers along the way, as well as places to stop for fair food. If you’re bringing kids, maybe bring along some wipes as the chances of scone jam getting on your car upholstery may be high!

Another local Spring tradition will also combine with the Fair – Daffodil Festival floats and displays will be along the driving route, too.

You can get out of your car at a few stops. These include food stops, but also the ShowPlex where you can check out vendors, crafters, and artists.

What Else Is Included with General Admission

In addition to driving through, each carload ticket includes a bonus event. There are three of these to choose from and you’ll have to pick which one you want when you buy your ticket. These experiences are: pig races (you’ll park and watch from the bleachers), DockDogs (step out and watch dogs running down a diving board before jumping into a pool), or a game of drive-up bingo.

Step out of your car and enjoy some cotton candy, scones, or other Fair favorites.

Add-on Experiences

You can also add on a few other experiences that are not included with the general admission ticket. These include monster truck rides ($10 per person) or you can buy a Fun Bucket ($12) to make your car feel a little more festive. Fun Buckets include a beach ball, sidewalk chalk, coloring sheets, farm animal tattoos, and other spring fun. These add-ons also must be purchased online before you go.

Rides

The rides will be open in a limited way. You can purchase tickets separately for a ride session. Each session lasts for an hour and 45 minutes and your tickets can only be used during that session. Parking is available in the Red Lot and then you can walk in. You can find a list of the rides that will be open here. Rides will be sanitized between riders.

Drive-in Movie

Fridays and Saturdays during the Fair, you can buy tickets ($25 per carload) for a drive-in movie in the Blue Lot. Movies take place at 8:30 p.m. and include Cars (April 9), Black Panther (April 10), Frozen (April 16), and The Fast and The Furious (April 17).

You can still ride the rides this year, but ride sessions ensure attendance stays limited (short or no lines!) and all rides will be sanitized between riders.

Tickets and Getting There

Tickets are $30 for Wednesdays and Thursdays with a time slot; $35 for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with a time slot; or $50 for an anytime ticket. You can’t enter early if you arrive earlier than your time slot.

Drive-through guests will enter the Green Gate off of Fairview Drive. ThrillVille riders enter through the Red Gate and park in the Red Lot. SillyVille riders (and their parents) will enter through the Purple Gate and park in the Purple Lot. Drive-in movies will be in the Blue Lot.

If you aren’t sure where all of those gates and lots are, you can find a map of the Fairgrounds here. Or you can also find gates and parking lots labeled on Google Maps.