Summer is officially here! Our family looks forward to State Fair Meadowlands every year! It’s a great time to gather up all the friends and family you have in NJ, NYC, PA area and have a down to earth good time. There is something for everyone of every age. My daughter’s favorite is the Pig Race! Every year she is obsessed with being chosen as a cheerleader and every year she DOES get chosen. Maybe because she has the loudest scream and cheer in the crowd. This year she is already gathering up her pom poms in hopes that her pig will win. It hasn’t happened yet, so please send me some good vibes here!! Maybe this will be the year. I will keep you posted after our visit. Also, before you head out please please please check out the days and what is going on during that day. There are special days with special rates and even free parking on some nights. Know before you go! Also, Sunday June 26th the fair is closed, so pick another date! See you at State Fair Meadowlands!! Tweet me when you are there @3decades3kids.

State Fair Meadowlands, the largest fair in the New York metro area with over 150 rides and attractions, will celebrate 30 years of operation this summer, running for 17 days from June 23 through July 10 at the State Fair Meadowlands Fairgrounds, next to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
 
The fair – featuring acres and acres of delicious food, white-knuckle rides and world-class family entertainment – will kick off with a special “Throwback Thursday” preview night on June 23. Throwback Thursday celebrates the fair’s opening in 1986 with a bargain handstamp, for both admission and rides of just $19.86 (non-handstamp entry price is $7 for adults, $5 for children). Friday, June 24 is Dollar Day, with admission $10 for all ages, and just $2 each for rides, food, games, select food and drinks and parking. Families also won’t want to miss other bargain days, including Kids Go Free and Cheap Cheap Night.
 
“To commemorate 30 years of happiness and fun, this year we are bringing in electrifying new acts, as well as beloved favorites,” said Al Dorso, president of State Fair Meadowlands. “We are proud to present, for the first time, our headline show – the spectacular new High Dive Act. Watch courageous, death-defying daredevils as they dive from dizzying heights into a shallow pool of water. That’s one splash you won’t want to miss!”  
 
The following entertainment is FREE with fair entry ticket.

• High Dive Act – If you’ve ever wondered what an Olympic diver does for a living when he’s not at the Olympics, wonder no more: These elegant, powerful divers will shock and amaze as they soar from an 85-foot platform into a pool of just 10 feet. Performing twice daily on weekdays and three times daily on weekends and July 4.
• The Great American Thrill Show – an open-air performance of gymnastic acrobats and aerialists, dazzling audiences on the high wire and 90-foot sway pole; performing twice daily on weekdays and three times daily on weekends and July 4.
• The Racing Pigs – back by popular demand for their 28th year. Throw your arms in the air and cheer them on as they rip up their real piggy racetrack! Performing four times on weekdays and five times on weekends and July 4.
• Master Hypnotist Steve Bayner – this phenomenal hypnotist manages to be silly and amazing at the same time; take your chances and get up on stage with him! On the Main Stage daily.  Times to be announced.
• Live Concerts on the American Stage, including Trixter, an 80s & 90s band, on June 23; RIFF, the band best-known for its music in films such as Lean On Me, on June 24; Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot, featuring members of Billy Joel’s band, on June 28; Rubix Kube, the #1, 80’s tribute act, on June 30; Epoch Failure on July 2; Manny Cabo, NJ native from NBC’s The Voice, on July 3; Chase Bryant, July 7, a solo country artist who has hit #4 on the Billboard charts, and was named by Rolling Stone as one of “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know”; and Constantine Maroulis, a New Jerseyan known for American Idol, Broadway’s Rock of Ages and The Wedding Singer, on July 9.
• Educational Petting Zoo – kids will love getting up close and personal with animals of the world; a perfect spot for ridiculous selfies! Open to the public throughout the fair (rides on the elephant are an extra fee). 

State Fair Meadowlands also features over 50 exciting rides and the largest Kiddieland in New Jersey. A family favorite, the Sky Ride, is back this year, providing sky-high views of the fair and NYC skyline, and for Batman fans, the Batcopter will provide rides with panoramic views of the fair in the original helicopter from the 1966 TV series.  
 
State Fair Meadowlands occupies over 35 acres of fairgrounds plus parking. Fair hours are Monday through Thursday, 6 pm to midnight; Fridays 6 pm to 1 am; Saturdays 2 pm to 1 am; Sundays 2 pm to midnight. This year, the fair will hold a Preview Night on Thursday, June 23, with Throwback Admission/Ride Handstamp, from 6 pm to midnight. Dollar Day is Friday, June 24, from 5 pm to 1 am. On Sunday, July 3, the fair is open 2 pm to 1 am; on Monday, July 4 from 2 pm to 1 am. Don’t miss Kids Go Free Night, on Wednesday, June 29, open 4 pm to midnight, and Cheap Cheap Night, on Wednesday, July 6, from 4 pm to midnight. The fair is closed to the public on Sunday, June 26.
 
Parking is free Monday through Wednesday, and $5 Thursdays through Sundays, plus Throwback Thursday, June 23, and on July 4. On Dollar Day, Friday, June 24, parking is just $2. The fair will again be offering free shuttle buses from/to Secaucus Junction; details to come. Visit www.njfair.com for information about the event, Bargain Days and to buy Advance Sale Tickets.

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win a 4pack of tickets (two lucky readers will each win a 4pack of one day entry tickets).

1. Enter by leaving a comment below: What do you like about State Fair Meadowlands?

2. Like the picture of State Fair on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/3decades3kids/

3. Tweet this: I want to win tickets to @SFmeadowlands from @3decades3kids

4. Like and comment on Instagram under this photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/BHAAXHioJ-8/?taken-by=3decades3kids

5. Follow us on Snapchat: ThreeDecades

Do ANY or ALL of the above to enter the giveaway. This giveaway ends June 24th at 11:59pm. Winner will be alerted on June 25th. If you live close I can drop off tickets, if they have to be mailed I will mail them ASAP on the 25th. Good Luck! USA only/18+. Winner will receive 4 one day admission tickets. Does not include parking/food/rides.

Giveaway ended: Winners notified.

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan/3decades3kids is a State Fair Meadowlands partner blog. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not reflect the opinions of the partner company. No compensation was given for this post. Giveaway/Visiting tickets provided by @SFmeadowlands. Contact me at diane@3decades3kids.net and @3decades3kids across all social media platforms. Snapchat: ThreeDecades