JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Fair will be back downtown one last time starting Thursday, with food, fun and thrilling rides.
After 70 years at its current location, the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair will move to the Westside in 2026, making this year its last year it will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. The fair goes from Nov. 6 to Nov. 16.
RELATED | Jacksonville Fair prepares for its last run downtown as it gears up for move to Westside
The new fairgrounds are located next to the Equestrian Center off Normandy Boulevard on the Westside.
Bill Olson, the CEO of the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, said that if you haven’t come to the fair in a while, it would definitely be a good time to reminisce before it changes locations.
“But the future is really bright for the fair because of the opportunities we have on the Westside with the bigger facility, more area, more parking, and more room to grow. So here, even though we’ve been here for 70 years, we feel it’s time because of everything happening around us,” Olson said.
The new fairgrounds are located next to the Equestrian Center off Normandy Boulevard on the Westside, where construction is currently underway.
Olson explained the decision to relocate.
“Even though we’ve been here for 70 years, we feel it’s time, because of everything happening around us, that it’s just getting harder and harder for us to have the size event that we have,” Olson said.
When asked about traffic concerns, Olson said the fair organizers are addressing that in plans for the new site.
“So we’ll have a dedicated entrance and exit off of POW. So that’s going to relieve all the traffic on Normandy,” he said.
While the move to the Westside is still down the road, Olson encouraged those who haven’t visited in a while to attend the fair at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds — one last time.
Jeffrey Buttner, who has attended the fair every year with his wife during their 23 years together, said the opening night was especially meaningful this year.
“Just all the memories that we’ve made here downtown and we wouldn’t want to miss the last one being down here,” he said.
Kimberly Wooten, attending the fair for the first time in a decade with her family, shared how important it is to make memories with her children as the downtown fair comes to a close.
“Everything. It’s always everything. I love making memories with my kids. So it’s always important to me,” she said.
Bill Olson, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Fair, expressed hope that families continue to come out and enjoy the event. “I just hope the families and the crowds keep coming out and enjoying themselves and making some last memories here at the downtown location,” Olson said.
The fair will remain open for nine more days, closing at 11 p.m. each night.
Visitors are encouraged to come enjoy the rides, food, live music and all the attractions the fair has to offer.
For those wondering about ride restrictions, many rides have different height requirements. A full list is available when purchasing ride tickets at the fair.
What to know before you go
Admission
- Adults (13-64) $15
- Children (6-12) $6
- Senior (65+) $6
- Admission & Rides: $20
- Children 5 and under: FREE
Hours of operation
- Nov. 6-7: Open from 5 to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 8-9: Open from 12 to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 10-11: Open from 12 to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 12-13: Open from 5 to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 14-15: Open from 5 to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 16: Open from 12 to 10 p.m.
Location
Jacksonville Fairgrounds at 510 Fairground Place
To read the concert lineup, food offerings and more, visit this website.
Oh, and if you haven’t seen a meteorologist in a bubble before, you can now say that you have.