PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Washington State Fair opens Friday, a week earlier than normal. It is also staying open longer.
Organizers are hoping to draw crowds looking for something to do this Labor Day Weekend.
For the first time in 38 years, the schedule for the Washington State Fair, formerly the Puyallup Fair, has been overhauled.
Instead of 17 days, it's going to run 21 days, and organizers are starting before the holiday weekend, because they want the fair to become a Labor Day tradition for families.
For opening weekend there's the BECU Free Kids' Days. Kids under age 18 will have free admission all weekend.
Here's a rundown of the action the first few days of the Fair:
The gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, with rap artist J-Cole kicking off the Columbia Bank Concert Series in the grandstand at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the gates are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday night, Kid Rock returns to the fair with his grandstand show at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the gates open at 9 a.m. Country superstar Tim McGraw performs at 7:30 p.m.
Monday is military appreciation day with free gate admission for active, reserve and retired military, National Guard and their dependents. Fair gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.