The Manatee County Fair opens its gates Thursday evening, offering free admission to all visitors who bring a canned good donation to support the Food Bank of Manatee.
The fairgrounds, located at 1402 14th Avenue West, will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for opening night. Attendees should plan to bundle up, as the forecast calls for windy conditions with temperatures starting at 55 degrees and dropping throughout the evening.
Admission and Pricing
While admission is free tonight only with a donation, standard admission rates apply for the remainder of the fair.
Standard Daily Admission:
- Adults (13 & Up): $10
- Active Military (with I.D.): $6
- Children (6-12): $6
- Children (5 & Under): Free
Upcoming Special Promotions Fairgoers looking for other deals can take advantage of special promotional days throughout the week, including:
- Kid’s Day at the Fair (Students Free): Monday, Jan. 19 from Noon – 3 p.m.
- Seniors Day: Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Midway arm bands for unlimited rides are also sold and the price varies per night between $25-30 each.
While admission is free with a donation, visitors should be prepared for parking costs. Parking is typically available at nearby Palmetto High School for approximately $10 per vehicle.
The opening night schedule features a mix of traditional agricultural showcases and live entertainment, ranging from livestock exhibitions to professional wrestling.
Thursday Night Schedule Highlights:
- 5:30 p.m. – Live milking demonstration; Puppy Pals Live
- 6:00 p.m. – 4-H & FFA Rabbit Show; 4-H & FFA Steer Show; Cowboy Circus; The Barnyard Cackle Review
- 6:30 p.m. – Universal Championship Wrestling; Veterans Tribute
- 7:00 p.m. – Puppy Pals Live
- 7:30 p.m. – Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show; Live milking demonstration
- 8:00 p.m. – Cowboy Circus; The 301 Travelers perform
- 8:30 p.m. – Puppy Pals Live; Universal Championship Wrestling
- 9:00 p.m. – Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show
- 9:30 p.m. – Live milking demonstration; Magic Man TJ Hill
The fair runs until Sunday, January 25th. For a complete list of events and updates, visit the Manatee County Fair events page.
If you go:
- Where: 1402 14th Avenue West, Palmetto, FL 34221
- When: Today, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Information Line: (941) 722-8951
- Phone: (941) 722-1639
- Website: manateecountyfair.com
