Gwenn FrissCape Cod Times
The Barnstable County Fair opens Monday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, July 28 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds on Route 151 in East Falmouth.
Grab a spot in the arena for the “world’s largest demolition derby,” visit farm animals and admire silky-coated alpacas, get advice from Cape Cod’s Master Gardeners, watch chainsaw artist Chad Gainey coax animals from blocks of wood and chat with Dan the Pirate Man, who will stroll the grounds greeting guests, said Wendy Brown, general manager for the past 18 years of both fair and fairgrounds.
About 60,000 people attended the 2023 Barnstable County Fair and Brown is hoping for 65,000 this year.
New to the fair this year, she said, are the Dare Devil Dogs. The act features a group of athletic and well-trained canines ― many of them rescues ― who do high jumps, play flying Frisbee and demonstrate timed agility. The fair’s publicity material says the performers love to give “pawtigraphs” and pose for photos with the audience.
Also new this year, Brown said, is a souvenir shop featuring official Barnstable County Fair gifts and mementos. The fair's popular Beer Garden will return, she said.
How much does it cost to go to the Barnstable County Fair?
Admission is $20 for adults, $50 for a three-day pass, $15 for 65-plus and military or $12 on Friday; $10 for children 6-11 with a paid adult.
You can buy tickets online. Brown said fair officials invested in more scanners this year so people with electronic tickets can get in more quickly.
Ride tickets are $1.50 or $1 if bought in bunches of 25 or 40. Wristbands, at $40 each, are available for unlimited rides during specified times.
How long does the Barnstable County Fair last?
The Barnstable County Fair runs from Monday, July 22 through Sunday, July 28 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds on Route 151 in East Falmouth.
The fair is open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Midway rides and games will remain open one hour after the ticket gate closes for the evening.
What can I bring into the Barnstable County Fair?
Brown said water is allowed, as are small packs of snacks for kids. Bags are searched on the way in, she said, and pets are not allowed. Most vendors take cards, but cash is not a bad idea. The fair does have ATMs on the midway.
Where do I park for the Barnstable County Fair?
Parking is free in two huge lots on Route 151 across from the fair; police are at crosswalks for traffic control. Parking is $10 for the two closer lots (1 and 4) on the same side as the fairgrounds.
Is there nightly entertainment and are tickets required?
Live entertainment, included with admission, is on the main stage at 7:30 p.m. nightly, and features, in part, “The Voice” winner Jake Hoot, Journey’s former lead vocalist Steve Augeri and Direct From Sweden The Music of ABBA with favorites such as “Dancing Queen,” “Fernando” and “The Winner Takes It All.”
Also on the bill are “Prayed For You” singer Matt Stell, “Asia” with John Payne and The Box Tops playing ‘60s and ‘70s oldies but goodies.
Are there rides and midway games at the Barnstable County Fair?
Yes. Ride tickets are $1.50 or $1 if bought in bunches of 25 or 40. The two dozen rides that will potentially be at the fair ― including the Wild Cat Coaster, the Scrambler and the Puppy Roll ― are listed at capecodfairgrounds.com with a note on how many tickets each cost and the minimum height requirement. Wristbands, at $40 each, are available for unlimited rides during specified times.
What are the new foods this year?
Sabrosa Venezuela food truck will serve, among other things, arepas, a flat, savory cornbread stuffed with sandwich fillings.
Dino’s Dessert Cart, Brown said, is a new place where everything is sweet and deep-fried, from Oreos and Twinkies to PB&J.
And for the first time in five years, The Barnstable County 4-H will once again be running the fair’s kitchen, selling homemade foods to fairgoers.
What animals can I expect to see at the Barnstable County Fair?
Cattle, pigs, horses, alpacas, chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats. There are demonstrations daily and a fleece-to-shawl competition at noon July 28.
A little history lesson
Adults and young people enter competitions for everything from best produce to baked goods to quilts. The exhibits are a reflection of Barnstable County Fair’s origins in 1844 when the Barnstable County Agricultural Society first held the fair at the County Courthouse on Route 6A in Barnstable Village.
Brown said Barnstable County Fair moved to its Route 151 location in 1970, after many years in Marstons Mills on land that is now Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course.
The Barnstable County Fair remains a nonprofit organization which, Brown said, has a balanced budget and will give $50,000 in scholarships Thursday night to local high schoolers.
What's with the solar panels next to the Barnstable County fairgrounds?
The solar array, started in 2018 and completed in May, is part of a 20-year-lease with the state. It does not provide power for the fairgrounds, but does bring in lease income, Brown said.
Cape Cod Fairgrounds has 90 acres, 26 of which are within the fenced-in fair proper.
“Our volunteers and staff are easily getting in 20- to 30,000 steps a day,” Brown said.
Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at gfriss@capecodonline.com. Follow her or X, formerly Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT
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