Our family had the best time! There is always so much to do, that you can easily fill up an entire day. Our only complaint is there was only one booth for redeeming online purchased wristbands for the rides. Most (including us) waited more than half an hour and the line spiraled in on itself. Otherwise it was great!

First timers to the South Carolina state fair and we had a great time! We really liked the pig races, the big top circus was unique (loved the trained goats!), and you can't beat fair food, I don't care what fair you attend! We didn't go on any rides, but everyone that did seemed to have been having fun! Got our discounted tickets at the local Circle K (half price!), and parking was only ten bucks! My only disappointment was that there was no beer to be had. Oh well, I understand how a little alcohol can cause fights and other problems. All in all I have to say that we will be back!

LOVED it!!! I don't care about the rides anymore.(I'm told there were some pretty good ones). I'm about the exhibits and the FOOD. Tradition has me going for the Fiske fries to start. Fresh hot and delicious. Malt vinegar and extra salt, evilly delicious. I matched that with a gyro that was generous with the meat portion and a little too much of a pedestrian tzatziki sauce. I wanted to try the everything fried booth, cookies candy bars etc on the way out but the line deterred. Good wholesome fun that rarely disappoints. Even the weather was just right.

This was our first time visiting the State Fair, we were excited to get this opportunity. Got to the gate only to find out that I could not bring in my purse or most other sorts of bags. Some sort of South Carolina state law. I was pretty upset as there were things that I needed to bring in with me and didn't have any of the approved bags with me. So that caused quite a problem right off the bat. Anyway, the grounds are very large, so much to see so much to do. We don't do rides so that wasn't of interest to us although the double level Carousel was absolutely amazing to see and watch. We enjoyed just walking and taking everything in. We went on what was supposed to be Blue Grass music day and was looking forward to it. But we were pretty disappointed as there wasn't much of that at all. We enjoyed the petting zoo, lots of beautiful animals. We enjoyed wandering through some of the buildings with the farming displays, Christmas tree Farm displays and of course lots of vendors selling their items. Met some nice people. We mostly went to enjoy the food. And there was plenty of that pretty much everything you could ask for and the vendors were in abundance. And although the food was enjoyable, what we didn't enjoy was the pricing. Now we get it that this is 2023 in the price of everything is gone up exponentially in recent years but quite honestly we were shocked at what these vendors were charging for their food. Quite honestly, it was ridiculous......bordered on gouging. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. We only had to feed two of us but I can't even imagine what the families went through this year if they went with several children or grands. It's inconceivable to me what it must have cost them between parking and admission and rides and then some food. Actually we know what wholesale products costs to produce the kind of food that they were selling and they were totally out of line. I doubt we will go back next year. With the kind of money that we spent, I can think of much nicer things to do for that much cash.

State fair normally happen in end of the fall season i.e in October month. Its a must visit place for every age group. They have rides, food, circus, games, animals, pig races etc. Its a very exciting place to go. I've been staying in Columbia past 4 years and I have visited the fair every year apart from the covid year. Will definitely visit again and recommend to others.

Had a blast. Super expensive to get inside and buy wristbands though. Literally paid over $350 for admission and bands for our 5 kids. But that was unlimited rides, so we got our money's worth. There were shows throughout the day that were all free, so that was fun! We saw a pig race, a magic show and a hypnosis act, and they were all great! SO glad we didn't pay our power bill so we could go. J/k, but seriously.....budget for this!

Had a great time with the family! Handicapped and caregiver get free admission. There is a clear bag policy and no opaque purses larger than 4.5x6.5. Food was amazing (we had Daley's Dogs freshly battered and deep fried!) and the rides and games were fun. Vendors were not obnoxious and the bathrooms were clean and staffed. Can't wait to come back.

Have retired down to the Midlands some three years ago, the St. Fair has been on my bucket list ever since. Finally, having settled in & making the time to attend this years Fair, I can report a nice time was had & my partner & I enjoyed visiting the Fairgrounds this past October (2023) We attended on day-2 after the fair opened & thanks to Farm Bureau Insurance, received free admission to the fair. The weather was a bit on the cloudy-overcast side, but we didn't let that detract from taking everything in, and enjoyed some good food, and visited many of the attractions, enjoyed the BigTop Circus show, visited the petting barn, & enjoyed the potbelly pig races. Although I am too old to subject myself the rides, the youngin's we saw yelping & screaming with sounds of delight seemed to be fun for those who partook in those endeavors, and in speaking with some fellow Fair goers, they said the tickets for the rides were reasonably priced. We visited the Farming pavilion & enjoyed walking around and seeing some of the prized produce out on display, & even picked up some homemade breads which we enjoyed post fair. Everything from parking to entering the fairgrounds seemed well organized, & I was pleasantly surprised how well run everything was. I realize the time we visited (early afternoon, on a Thursday) wasn't prime time attendance, but I do my best to avoid crowds, so the time we selected to visit worked out just fine for us. I would definitely return to the South Carolina State Fair NEXT year, and (if I happen to have any family or friends visiting around then) would recommend dragging them along as well to enjoy the experience. It was a most enjoyable experience for my partner & I to finally enjoy this years fair.