Breakdown of fair costs
CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Fair comes around every October, and more importantly to school-aged kids, so does Fair Day. Fair Day is a day meant for teachers to plan and for kids to “skip school” and head to the Cullman County Fair. The fair opens tonight, Thursday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. and runs through Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 p.m. Officially referred to as “Student Day,” Fair Day is Monday, Oct. 9, from noon- 5 p.m., and students get in free during that time.
A day or night at the fair could include all manner of “fair food” (e.g., fried Oreos, candied apples, cotton candy), stuffed prizes and goldfish. It could also mean a blue ribbon in art and photography, handicrafts, sewing, canning, crops, vegetables, baked goods, livestock and more.
While the fair is packed with food, games, prizes, pageants, rides and exhibits, it does come with a cost. If you haven’t purchased All-in-One Passes beforehand, admission is paid at the gate, and tickets are sold separately inside. Games and rides are operated on a ticketing system; each attraction costs a set number of tickets. For larger families, the cost of those tickets may need to be budgeted and planned for. So, how much cash can you expect to spend? We broke it down for you so you don’t have to.
- All-in-One Passes: On sale until today, Thursday, Oct. 5, at noon, these passes are $25 and include unlimited rides and free admission. They can be purchased at most Peoples Bank locations or at the fair office.
- Admission: Admission to the Cullman County Fair is $8 for ages 10 and older; children ages 9 and younger do not pay admission.
- Arm bands: Arm bands can be purchased at the gate, and include unlimited rides (you still pay admission). Arm bands are $25 Monday-Thursday and $30 Friday-Sunday.
- Tickets: Ride tickets purchased a la carte are $1.50 each, and each attraction takes three or four tickets. Only one ride requires riders to pay with six tickets ($9), the Nemesis 360 (minimum height 55” and maximum height 78”).
Rides that require three tickets are listed below and will cost $4.50 per child, per ride.
- Red Barron (min height 36” maximum height 54”)
- Oscar (minimum height 32” maximum height 50”)
- Raptor Attack (minimum height 42” W/ adult 30”)
- Teacups (minimum height 42” w/ adult 36”)
- Astro Wheel (minimum height 48” w/ adult 42”)
- Carousel (minimum height 42”)
- Rock N Tug (minimum height 34” w/ adult 42”)
- Rumble in the Jungle (minimum height 32” w/ adult 36”)
- Cosmic Commander (minimum height 36” maximum height 42”)
- Space Bug (minimum height 36” maximum height 54”)
- Orient Express (minimum height 36” w/ adult 48”)
- Treehouse (minimum height 30” maximum height 42”)
- Ghoster Coaster (minimum height 36” maximum height 56”)
- Baja Biggie (minimum height 32” w/ adult 36”)
- Mini Pirate Ship (minimum height 36” w/ adult 42”).
Rides that require four tickets are listed below and will set a family back $6 per child, per ride.
- Swing IT ( minimum height 48”)
- Alien Abduction (minimum height 42”)
- Star Scream (minimum height 48”)
- Rock O Plane (minimum height 48”)
- Matterhorn (minimum height 42”)
- Pharaohs Fury (minimum height 48”)
- Scooter (minimum height 48”)
- Typhoon (minimum height 48”)
- Super Trooper (minimum height 42”)
- Tilt A Whirl (minimum height 26”)
Keeping all this information in mind, if a child rides five to seven rides (about $22 on the lower end, all the way up to $42 in tickets per child) and your child is 10 or older (add in the $8 for admission), your total is up to $30-$50 per person.
If you wish to visit the fair for food, pageants, exhibits and people watching, perhaps buying admission and tickets separately is in your best financial interest. If you or your children are thrill seekers who will look to ride multiple rides, an All-in-One Pass or arm band may be the best option.
The Cullman County Fair takes place at the Cullman County Fairgrounds at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman. Opening ceremonies will take place tonight, Thursday, Oct. 5, at 5. Get more information at www.cullmanfair.org.
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