Alabama National Fair opens Friday at Garrett Coliseum
The finishing touches are being put on the 71st Annual Alabama National Fair, known as “The 11 Best Days of Fall.”
The fair opens Friday at Garrett Coliseum, with rides, food, livestock, competitions, concerts and a whole lot more.
It’s a fundraiser for the Montgomery Kiwanis Club, which uses each year’s proceeds to donate to local community projects. The club donates hundreds of thousands of dollars generated from the fair. More than $10 million has been donated in the 71 years the club has hosted the fair.
CLICK HERE to learn more about plans for this year’s fair.
It’s a big job to get everything ready.
“It’s a year long process. We’ll start planning next year’s fair when we open this one,” Alabama National Fair Executive Director Randy Stephenson told Action 8 News. “We’ve got all our shows booked, all our food vendors, which everybody loves, everything placed. There’s over a hundred setups out here, between all the rides and food vendors, the games, it’s probably 150 different things being set up at one time.”
Thursday, the night before the fair opens, there’s a special “Taste of the Fair” celebration, featuring foods from many of the vendors. Tickets are $30, with the event nearly sold out.
This year, there’s a new War Memorial to salute the U.S. War on Terrorism. It will be on the Coliseum floor.
Sunday, October 12, there will be a Hometown Heroes program. First responders and members of the military will get in free. That night’s concert will feature Lee Greenwood, known for his hit “God Bless the U.S.A.”
This year, the Kiwanis Club is working with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to offer an incentive to third-grade students in Montgomery Public Schools. A third-grade student who has perfect attendance from the start of the school year until the fair opens will get a free ticket to the fair.
The fair runs from Friday through Monday, October 13.
Action 8 News is sponsoring two days at this year’s fair. Tuesday, October 7, will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Admission will be $10 if you’re wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Thursday, October 9, is Dollar Day, with $1 rides. It is also Senior Day from 9AM-1PM. Seniors ages 55+ can get in for $1 with the donation of a food item.
Hours vary daily on when the gates and the Midway attractions will open.
Prices also vary by day. Once again this year, parking will be included with the admission price. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.
CLICK HERE for more information about the 2025 Alabama National Fair.
