The South Carolina State Fair will return this fall in Columbia Oct. 13-24.

After keeping its commitment to the community and adapting to a free, drivethrough fair in 2020, the SC State Fair will once again welcome guests in person for 12 days of exhibits, competitions, food, rides, entertainment and the free, daily “CIRCUS at the Fair.” Fair officials are committed to following the latest covid-19 health guidelines and ensuring a safe event for everyone.

“For more than 150 years, the South Carolina State Fair has brought families and friends together to create lifelong memories,” says SC State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith, who served as the 2020 chair of the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. “As always, safety is our top priority, and we’ve taken extra precautions this year, including increased health and safety measures and a new mandatory clear bag policy.”

2021 SC State Fair Highlights

With nearly 70 rides, this year’s S.C. State Fair is sure to create special moments — from sky-high thrillers to family-friendly fun, including two new kiddie rides, Dumbo and Tea Cup. A mix of stage and roving shows will entertain patrons, including various musical shows, dance groups, animal acts, magicians, jugglers, stunt artists and more. Back by popular demand is the free daily “CIRCUS at the Fair,” which will feature fresh new acts and a never-before-seen show. Traditional favorites also will return, including arts and crafts displays, agriculture, pig races, livestock exhibits and more.

With more than 90 food stands, guests will find everything — from innovative indulgences (fried cookie dough and donut burgers), to SC State Fair staples (Fiske fries and foot-long corn dogs), to lighter fare (the ultimate Greek salad) — luring all types of food lovers from across the state. A variety of new food items will also be introduced — as well as the expansion of the SC State Fair’s cookie kitchen. Warm cookies and cold milk await guests in the newly expanded cookie kitchen, now located in the Rosewoods Salon.

Covid-19 Health Precautions

The S.C. State Fair is closely following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest recommendations and strategies to prevent and reduce the transmission of covid-19 and maintain healthy business operations. This year, the SC State Fair will follow the latest CDC, state and local mask guidelines, have increased hand sanitation stations, offer limited contact payment options, provide increased cleaning protocols and display hygiene signage throughout the Fairgrounds.

“The health of our guests is of the upmost importance, and we ask that each guest does their part by following our latest event policies,” said Smith. “We strongly encourage all fairgoers to evaluate their own potential risk of exposure to covid-19 before choosing to attend, knowing that vaccines remain the best protection from the virus.”

An inherent risk of exposure to covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present, and the SC State Fair asks that fairgoers help protect themselves and others by following the event’s safety protocols — as well as state and local public health recommendations and mandates. Visit SCStateFair.org for the latest covid-19 precautions and policies.

Safety is a Top Priority

The SC State Fair is committed to providing a safe experience for its patrons. To ensure a safe and memorable event, the SC State Fair will have:

• A large contingent of law enforcement on the grounds from open to close every day of the fair.

• Updated metal detector technology.

• A new mandatory clear bag policy. This policy is similar to those implemented throughout Columbia and across the country, complying with a new level of security expected of large, heavily-attended events and festivals. Visit SCStateFair. org to learn more about this new policy.

• Additions to general grounds security.

• Updated Youth Admission policy.

Visit SCStateFair.org to learn more about the S.C. State Fair’s safety rules and policies.

Call for Exhibition Competitors

“We are thrilled to bring people together from across the state and Southeast region to celebrate South Carolina’s rich history — while showcasing the best from local artisans and farmers alike,” says Smith. “Whether you’re a loyalist of classic fair offerings or you like to experience something new, like the ‘CIRCUS at the Fair,’ it’s your moment to find joy at this year’s SC State Fair.”

Each year, South Carolina’s finest agriculture, art, crafts, flowers and livestock are showcased at the SC State Fair. The call for entries is now open, and exhibition competitors are asked to submit their entries to be considered for this year’s SC State Fair by Sept. 1. Those wishing to compete can view the department Exhibit Guide and enter online at scstatefair.org/competitions.

More information can be found at SCStateFair.org.