PUEBLO – The Colorado State Fair, the summer’s biggest party, kicks off on Friday, and attendees can ride there on the Pueblo Transit Courtesy Shuttle for free!

This year’s fair starts with PRCA Rodeo and a concert by The Oak Ridge Boys Friday night, as well as free attractions like surfing dogs, a Stilt Circus, the kid’s pedal tractor pull, lots of free music and more.

Concerts this year include comedian LARRY THE CABLE GUY (Thursday, Aug. 30) and music by Old Dominion (Saturday, Sept. 1) and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Friday, Aug. 31.) Other performances include Neal McCoy, Saturday, Aug. 25; Flying W Wranglers, Tuesday, Aug. 28; Lorenzo Antonio with La Sombra De Tony Guerrero, Sunday, Sept. 2; La Original Banda El Limon, Sunday, Sept. 2; Coopersonics on Friday, Aug. 24, Saturday, Aug. 25, Thursday, Aug. 30, Saturday, Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 3; Triple Nickel, Friday, Aug. 24; Woodstock Reunion Tribute, Saturday, Aug. 25; Kory Brunson, Saturday, Aug. 25; The Country Music Project, Sunday, Aug. 26 and Monday, Aug. 27; Wild Blue Country United States Air Force Band, Sunday, Aug. 26; Beyond Bridges, Monday, Aug. 27; Josh Gracin with Lucas Hoge and Overton Road, Wednesday, Aug. 28; and others; as well as free concerts in the American Furniture Warehouse Amphitheater, Coke Stage and WeatherPort Tent.

Event tickets may be purchased from the Fair’s Box Office (Monday - Thursday: 12 p.m. – show time; Friday - Sunday: 10 a.m. – show time; and Labor Day: 10 a.m. – show time) or at any Altitude Tickets outlet or by calling Altitude Tickets at 1-866-461-6556.

Also enjoy free attractions that include antique tractors; DocEZee and Disgo’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Family Fun show; Lucy’s Pet Surfing and Stunt Dog Show; state fair museum; Sundsy’s Barn; Swifty Swine Racing Pigs; Butterfly Encounter; Mind Works!; and Stilt Circus.

See the full lineup and daily schedules at www.ColoradoStateFair.com.

Fair hours:

Monday - Thursday: 12-11 p.m.

Friday - Sunday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Labor Day: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Watch these competitive events at the state fair: 4-H State Championship Shows on Thursday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Aug. 26; Draft Pull Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25 and 26; Pet Rock Competition, Sunday, Aug. 26; C&H Sugar Brown Sugar Bake Off, Sunday, Aug. 26; King Arthur Flour Beautiful Berries Bake, Sunday, Aug. 26; 2018 Colorado Touchstone Energy Junior Livestock Sale, Monday, Aug. 27 and Tuesday, Aug. 28; AQHA Team Roping Event and Ranch Heritage Team Roping & Barrel Race Event, Wednesday, Aug. 29; Zoetis AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge, Wednesday, Aug. 29 and Thursday, Aug. 30; AQHA Ranch Riding, Thursday, Aug. 30; GYPSY and SHIRE Draft Show, Thursday, Aug. 30 and Friday, Aug. 31; poetry competition, Thursday, Aug. 30; Draft and Mule Challenge, Friday, Aug. 31; Youth Freestyle Reining Championships, Sunday, Sept. 2; and on Wednesday, Sept. 5, dolls, floriculture, needle arts, pantry, porcelain art, quilts and small farm and garden.

And of course enjoy PRCA Rodeo action Friday, Aug. 24, through Monday, Aug. 27, as well as the Ranch Rodeo on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

For some adrenaline-racing action check out the Toughest Monster Truck Tour on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and the Demolition Derby on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Parking and getting to the fairgrounds has never been easier. The city of Pueblo, through Pueblo Transit, is offering free parking shuttle rides between the fairgrounds and the city’s Main Street Parking Garage, at 110 S. Main Street in downtown Pueblo.  Just park at the garage, catch the shuttle to the fairgrounds, have fun, and catch the shuttle back to your car! For free! The shuttle schedule can be found at https://www.coloradostatefair.com/about.aspx.

A full schedule of events at the fair is available for each day at https://www.coloradostatefair.com/p/schedule/416.

Adult gate admission (ages 13 & older) is $10; kids (ages 5-12) - $7; and children 4 & under are FREE (when accompanied by an adult.) Senior citizens ages 60 and older and military with proof of affiliation receive a $2 discount daily except $2 Tuesday on Tuesday, August 28 and Pay One Price Day on Wednesday, August 29.

See all the deals and discounts available at https://www.coloradostatefair.com/p/fair-info/155.

Pets are NOT allowed on the Colorado State Fairgrounds with the exception of service dogs or animals competing at the fair. Also, no outside food/drink, coolers or weapons are allowed.

The Colorado State Fair runs August 24 - September 3.  For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com.