The South Carolina State Fair is best known for bringing 12 days of exhibits, competitions, food, midway rides and entertainment to Columbia each October. We have six exhibit halls and 104 acres adjacent to the University of South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium.  The South Carolina State Fair offers football parking and is a popular venue for major events such as home and garden shows, civic functions and charitable fundraisers. The South Carolina State Fair is also home to Columbia’s downtown holiday drive-through lights show, Carolina Lights.

Schedule of Events:

October 11, 2023:

Admission: 12pm - 9pm
Buildings: 12pm - 10pm
Rides: 3pm - 11pm

12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Paso Fino Exhibition - Abernathy Horse Arena
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:00pm: Best Party Appetizer Contest - Moore Building
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Boiled Peanut Eating Contest - On the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: The Groove Machine - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 12, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 11pm

11:00am: Paso Fino Exhibition - Abernathy Horse Arena
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:00pm: Pro Kitchen Cookie Kitchen Best Caramel Cake Contest - Moore Building
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: Tokyo Joe - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 13, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 12am

12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
3:00pm: Jr. Dairy Cattle Showmanship - Nutt Cattle Arena
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:00pm: Youth Horse Show - Abernathy Horse Arena
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: The Afters, Presented by HIS Radio - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 14, 2023:

Admission: 10am - 9pm
Buildings: 10am - 10pm
Rides: 11am - 12am

All Day: Dairy Cattle Show - Nutt Cattle Arena
All Day: Youth Horse Show - Abernathy Horse Arena
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Jr. Swine Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:00pm: Scarecrow Decorating Contest - Ellison Building
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: The Regulars, Presented by iHeart Radio - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 15, 2023:

Admission: 12pm - 9pm
Buildings: 12pm - 10pm
Rides: 11pm - 11pm

12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
12:00pm: Dairy Cattle Show - Nutt Cattle Arena
12:00pm: Youth Horse Show - Abernathy Horse Arena
12:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:00pm: Swine Costume Contest & Shows - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
2:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:00pm: Columbia’s Praise Sunday - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
4:00pm: Pumpkin Decorating Contest - Moore Building
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Youth Horse Show - Abernathy Horse Arena
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
5:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
6:30pm: Mr. Puppet - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
7:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 16, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 11pm

All Day: Swine - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Marc Dobson – One Man Band - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Marc Dobson – One Man Band - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Marc Dobson – One Man Band - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: Jason Sikes Tribute to Elvis - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 17, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 11pm

12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swine – Jr. Market Hogs Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: Carolina Bluegrass Style - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 18, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 11pm

12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: JB SamSon, Presented by iHeart Radio - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 19, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 11pm

All Day: Sheep Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
All Day: Beef Cattle Show - Nutt Cattle Arena
All Day: Mike P. Gibson, Gibson Works - Cantey Building
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: Faith Schueler - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 20, 2023:

Admission: 11am - 9pm
Buildings: 11am - 10pm
Rides: 12pm - 12am

All Day: Sheep Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
All Day: Beef Cattle Show - Nutt Cattle Arena
All Day: Donkey & Mule Show - Abernathy Arena
All Day: Philip Simmons Blacksmith Guild - Academic Avenue – Near Pig Races
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: Jr. Beef Scholarship Contest - Nutt Cattle Arena
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: Dracula, Presented by Columbia City Ballet - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 21, 2023:

Admission: 10am - 9pm
Buildings: 10am - 10pm
Rides: 11am - 12am

All Day: Beef Cattle Show - Nutt Cattle Arena
All Day: Donkey & Mule Show - Abernathy Arena
All Day: Philip Simmons Blacksmith Guild - Academic Avenue – Near Pig Races
10:00am: 4-H Poultry & Rabbit Showmanship Contests - Academic Avenue – Near Pig Races
12:00pm: Dairy Goat Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
1:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
3:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:00pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:00pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
6:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: David Rodriguez & The Latin Hustle, Presented by iHeart Radio - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
8:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

October 22, 2023:

Admission: 12pm - 8pm
Buildings: 12pm - 8pm
Rides: 12pm - 10pm

All Day: Philip Simmons Blacksmith Guild - Academic Avenue – Near Pig Races
12:00pm: Dairy Goat Show - Swine, Sheep & Goat Barn
12:00pm: Jr. Market Goat & Jr. Lamb Shows - Nutt Cattle Arena
12:00pm: American Tribute - Main Flag Pole
12:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
1:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
1:30pm: Ron Diamond - Magic and Illusion - Performing at the Academic Avenue State
1:30pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
2:00pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
2:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
2:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
4:00pm: Kelontae Gavin - Performing at the Pepsi Place Stage
4:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
4:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
4:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
5:30pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
5:30pm: Ron Diamond - Mental Magic - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
6:30pm: Dennis Lee - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage
7:00pm: The String Showdown - Performing at the Netterfield Stage
7:00pm: Swifty Swine Racing & Swimming Pigs - Performing near Abernathy Arena
7:30pm: CIRCUS at the Fair - Beside the Ellison Building near the South Gate Entrance
7:30pm: Ron Diamond - Hypnosis - Performing at the Academic Avenue Stage

Dates: October 11 - 22, 2023

Location:

South Carolina State Fairgrounds,   
1200 Rosewood Drive,
Columbia, SC 29201.

Admission:

At The Gate:

General Admission (Ages 6-54): $20
0-5 Years Old: Free
Seniors (55 and Older): $15

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