Two-Buck Nights and Free Kids' Admission: Your Guide to the 2026 Georgia-Carolina State Fair in Augusta

9 minutes ago

4 min read

Neighbors, grab your jacket and your appetite, because the midway lights come on in downtown Augusta tomorrow. The 2026 Georgia-Carolina State Fair runs Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 25, and two of those nights come with a price that's hard to beat: $2 admission and $2 rides.

Whether you're coming from Augusta, Columbia County, Burke County, or just across the river from Aiken County, South Carolina, here's a porch-side guide to enjoying the fair without emptying your wallet.

What's Happening Around the Village

The Georgia-Carolina State Fair is held at the fairgrounds at 1101 Fourth Street in downtown Augusta, Georgia, with gates on both Fourth Street and Hale Street. The Exchange Club of Augusta voted to start a fall fair in October 1923 and has run it ever since, according to the fair's published history. For a lot of families in the Augusta area, this is a tradition that gets handed down from one generation to the next.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The fair's FAQ says gates close at 10 p.m., with rides running until 11 p.m.

Regular admission is $10, and an unlimited-ride wristband is $30. Children 12 and under get in free every day, and active-duty military and veterans get in free with a valid ID. Parking in the fair's own lot on Fourth Street is $10.

On the grounds, you'll find a midway run by James E. Strates Shows, livestock exhibits and competitions, a petting zoo, pony rides, and pig races. The Miss Fair Pageant takes the stage in the Pavilion on Saturday, October 24.

Why It Matters

A night out with the family can add up quickly once you count tickets, snacks, and parking. A community tradition that sets aside special nights with $2 and $5 admission tells us something good about this village: fun ought to be within reach of everybody.

Fairs also give neighbors a place to simply be together. Livestock and talent competitions put local exhibitors and young people in the spotlight, and the midway gives grandparents, parents, and kids a reason to put the phones down and share a funnel cake line.

How This Impacts Our Community

Let's do the math using the fair's posted prices. A family of four with two adults and two children 12 and under would pay $20 in admission on a regular night, $10 on a $5 night, and just $4 on a Two Buck night, since the kids get in free. Rides and parking are extra, but on the Two Buck nights every ride is $2 and participating vendors offer $2 specials, so you can sample the fair without a big bill.

The free admission for active-duty military and veterans is also a welcome thank-you to the folks who have served, and it's open to veterans from every corner of the Augusta area and across the river in South Carolina.

How You Can Get Involved

Pick your night. Admission is $5 on opening night (Friday, October 16), First Monday (October 19), and Final Friday (October 23). Tuesday, October 20 and Thursday, October 22 are the $2 nights.
Bring the little ones. Kids 12 and under are free, but anyone 17 or under must be accompanied by a parent.
Know the gate rules. The fair's rules list backpacks, selfie sticks, outside food and drinks, pets other than service animals, and drones as not allowed, and bags may be searched. There are no rain checks, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Park smart. The fair's lot is on Fourth Street between Hale Street and Laney-Walker Boulevard and is patrolled by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. The fair notes that other nearby lots are run by other groups and may not be secure.
Thank a veteran. If you've served, bring your valid ID for free admission, and if you know someone who has, share the news with them.
Carpool and share. Tell a neighbor, a church group, or a youth team about the $2 nights and make a night of it together.

Around the Village Calendar

Friday, Oct. 16 (Opening Day): 5 to 10 p.m., $5 admission, unlimited-ride wristbands available.
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18: Gates open at noon, regular prices.
Monday, Oct. 19 (First Monday): 5 to 10 p.m., $5 admission.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 (Two Buck Tuesday): $2 admission, $2 rides, $2 vendor specials; no unlimited wristbands.
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Regular prices.
Thursday, Oct. 22 (Two Buck Thursday): $2 admission, $2 rides, $2 vendor specials; no unlimited wristbands.
Friday, Oct. 23 (Final Friday): $5 admission.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Miss Fair Pageant in the Pavilion.
Sunday, Oct. 25: Final day, gates open at noon.

A quick note before you go: the fair's FAQ page still shows older dates (October 15 to 26), while its home page and daily specials page list October 16 to 25, which is what we've used here. To confirm hours, prices, and any weather changes, call the fair office at 706-722-0202.

Want more fall fun? Browse the latest stories in Around The Village, and catch our earlier look at fair season in Trick-or-Treat the Village: Fall Festivals, Fire Station Fun & Fair Season Across Georgia.