Photos courtesy of Arizona State Fair
Starting this month in Phoenix, the Arizona State Fair promises to be a focal point of entertainment. Admission to the Arizona State Fair comes with a diverse and vast offering of entertainment. Running from September 22 through October 29, families can enjoy many of the fair’s newest attractions, as well as animal and cultural exhibits.
This includes:
Fairytales on Ice: Beauty and the Beast – Delight in the spectacular as award-winning skaters bring your favorite fairy tale characters to life through ice skating, singing, and music! Cool down inside the Coliseum, experience an act of kindness, and break the curse.
Great American Petting Zoo – Get the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of animals.
All Star Monster Trucks – Six of the biggest and baddest All Star Monster Trucks from across the United States will do battle to see who can be crowned 2023 Arizona State Champion.
Godfrey the Magician – Award winning magician Godfrey will mesmerize audiences with his incredible sleight of hand magic!
Xtreme Bulls – Enjoy extreme thrills with some of the best bull riding action.
Meanwhile, after a three-year hiatus, concerts are making a triumphant return to this year’s fair. The lineup is eclectic and sure to delight fans of diverse musical tastes, including a special performance by the alt-rock pioneers, Violent Femmes.
The Violent Femmes are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their iconic self-titled debut this year. Their concerts have been resonating with nostalgia across the nation, as fans come together to relive classics such as “Add It Up,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and the perennial favorite, “Blister in the Sun.” Their Phoenix performance is slated for Friday, Oct. 27.
Wanell Costello, the fair’s executive director, says, “For decades, the Madhouse on McDowell hosted nightly concerts during the State Fair — featuring big names like Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, and even Selena Gomez.” She further elucidated the fair’s new approach: “The post-pandemic music industry forced us to evolve our business model, and in order to bring back headliner talent, every seat is reserved and includes your fair admission.”
The 2023 concert series is distinctively billed as “An Evening With…” This ensures the spotlight remains on the main act, allowing attendees more leisure time to enjoy the fair’s attractions and delectable offerings — perhaps grabbing that turkey leg before the show, and leaving room for a post-concert funnel cake.
Performers making their mark at the fair include:
Friday, Oct. 13: Walker Hayes
Saturday, Oct. 14: Becky G
Friday, Oct. 20: Ne-Yo
Saturday, Oct. 21: Brothers Osborne
The Arizona State Fair is located at 1826 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix. The festivities run Thursdays through Sundays.
For more information, visit azstatefair.com.
