Eastern Idaho State Fair 2024

The Eastern Idaho State Fair is held in late August and early September at the Eastern Idaho State Fair fairgrounds in Blackfoot, Idaho. The nine-day event starts on Labor Day weekend and gathers about 230,000 fairgoers annually. With a long history of agricultural exhibits and contests, the Eastern Idaho State Fair stays true to its roots but still manages to kick it up a notch every year. Food, livestock exhibits, midway rides, games—all of this and much more is available at the fair.

EISF Parade (August 31, 2024)

The fair usually begins with a big parade in Blackfoot, which starts at the intersection of Shilling Avenue and Rich Street and travels north until it stops at Alice Street. The parade features marching bands, floats, local clubs and organizations, police and department teams, dance teams, cheerleader squads, and musicians. Participants entertain the crowds and throw candy at people, who line Shilling Avenue. The parade takes place at 10 am.

Entertainment Program

Some of the most popular events of the Eastern Idaho State Fair include the Idaho Idol contest. Small-stage entertainment also features dance teams, comedians, arm wrestling, and hypnosis. Livestock and agriculture displays showcase cows, bulls, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, and ostriches. There is also a petting zoo and a reptile show. The fair also offers a plethora of delicious food, including Chinese, Mexican, and Indian food, from teriyaki bowls to turkey legs.

Grandstand Events

The Eastern Idaho State Fair's grandstand is the central hub for many thrilling events. During the daytime, you'll have a chance to witness horse races, usually taking place from noon until evening on weekdays. Nighttime events also include rodeo, bull riding, tractor pulls, and a demolition derby. An Indian Relay Race is also one of the highlights of the fair. The participants show amazing riding stunts jumping off and on horses while they are moving.

Music Concerts

During the whole run of the fair, local and national stars annually put on performances on the main stage of the fairgrounds. This year, the lineup includes Craig Morgan and Matt Stell, powerhouses of the country genre, and Journey, a legendary rock band beloved by the nation. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy will also perform at the fair with his hilarious stand-up set.

Schedule & Hours

The gates to the fairgrounds open at 8 am and close at 11 pm. Building and vendors start operating from 10 pm. Carnival hours vary depending on the day: on Monday, it opens at 11 am, 1 pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and at noon on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets

Advance tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for children, and $6 for seniors. Pepsi Wristband, which offers unlimited carnival rides and admission on one day of the fair, costs $32. Advance tickets are on sale until the first day of the fair. During the fair week, you can purchase tickets at the booths, which accept cash only. Cards are accepted at the Grandstand Event Ticket Office and Carnival Booths. Kids aged five and under enjoy free admission, while youth and seniors get discounted tickets.

If you'd like to enjoy any of the grandstand events and concerts, you must purchase a different ticket, which covers entry to the fair. Admission to rodeo, bull-riding, and demolition derby events range from $15 to $30, while tickets to music performances vary from $39 to $299, depending on the concert.

History of the Fair

The Eastern Idaho State Fair dates back to 1902, when a few cattle ranchers held a livestock show called the Southeastern Idaho Fair. The event was supposed to promote local agriculture and farmers who displayed their produce.