Seminole County Fair Returns to Sanford March 27 With Free Admission
Free admission returns to the Seminole County fairgrounds on Hickman Drive tomorrow, with unlimited-ride wristbands as low as $25 on weekdays.
The fairgrounds at 440 Hickman Drive, just off State Route 46 east of I-4 in Sanford, open their gates to the 27th Seminole County Fair on Friday, March 27, running through Sunday, April 5. Parking and gate admission are free for all patrons.
The fair opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with one exception: the closing date falls on Easter Sunday, April 5, when the fair opens at 5 p.m. Closing times vary based on weather conditions and midway capacity. For those looking to ride everything, unlimited-ride wristbands run $25 per person Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday. Individual tickets are also available, priced at $1 for two tickets, $20 for 40, or $50 for 120.
The midway is provided by Strates Shows, Inc., which is celebrating its 103rd anniversary in 2026. James E. Strates Shows is one of America's most renowned carnival companies, and the lineup it brings to Sanford reflects that reach. More than 30 state-of-the-art carnival and thrill rides are expected, including the Wave Swinger, Haunted Mansion, Thunderbolt, and the Giant Wheel, alongside family favorites like the classic American Carousel. The Sanford Herald reports the midway will also include the Monkey Maze, Dream Wheel, and Sky Flyer. A Kiddieland section is designed especially for younger children, with challenging games of skill available for the whole family.
The 10-day event features prize-filled games, family-friendly attractions, and classic carnival food favorites. Funnel cakes dusted in powdered sugar and crispy French fries topped with a splash of vinegar anchor the food lineup, filling the fairgrounds with the kind of aromas that signal the fair has arrived.
The modern Seminole County Fair was organized in the late 1990s by legendary Orlando outdoor amusement impresario E. James Strates and Strates Shows, but the county's fair tradition runs far deeper. It dates back more than a century to the first event held on First Street in Sanford in 1915. Following World War II, the fair was sponsored by Campbell-Lossing American Legion Post 53 from 1948 through 1976. After an 18-year hiatus, the Seminole County Fair and Exposition briefly returned from 1994 to 1996 before being reestablished in 1999 by the Strates family.
Complete details, including any schedule changes, are available at SeminoleCountyFair.com.
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