2023 Guilford Fair: Everything You Need To Know

GUILFORD, CT – Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, for Connecticut's second-oldest agricultural fair.

The Guilford Fair returns Friday, Sept. 15, and runs through the weekend, offering food, entertainment, a parade and highlights of the area’s agricultural history.

On Friday, the Guilford Fair starts at 4 p.m. and runs through 11 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 16, the fair runs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; on Sunday, Sept. 17, the fair runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Guilford Fair is held at the Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane.

Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 years old and over, $8 for senior citizens 62 years old and over, and $8 for veterans and current military with ID, and children 11 years old and under are free.

A 3-day discount pass is available for the Guilford Fair for $25.

Click here for a map of the fairgrounds.

Onsite parking for the fair is $10. However, free parking is available at 1575 Boston Post Road, off I-95/Exit 57. A shuttle bus service is provided to the fairgrounds from the satellite parking lot.

Friday shuttle runs from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday shuttle runs from noon to 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, the shuttle runs from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The first fair in 1859 featured a parade, and 164 years later, in 2023, the parade is still a key part of Connecticut’s second-oldest agricultural fair.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Guilford Fair Parade will start at 10 a.m., a rain-or-shine event. This year’s parade theme is “Guilford’s Treasures: Old & New.”

Not only will attendees be able to see highlights of the area’s agricultural history, but they will also be able to enjoy live performances during the 2023 Guilford Fair.

Zac Brown Tribute Band is starting the lineup of performances on Friday, Sept. 15, at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 16, The Lords of 52nd Street take the stage at 8:30 p.m. The Red Light takes the stage on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Besides live performances, the Guilford Fair provides entertainment for all ages.

The popular Children’s Zoo will be at the Guilford Fair for all three days, featuring more than 40 exotic and unusual domesticated animals.

This year at the Guilford Fair Circus, the Flying Wallendas will perform on Friday at 5 p.m., 7 p.m.; Saturday at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Also performing during the circus are The Flying Cortes, Alex Cortes, Human Cannonball, Juggling Alessandros, JP The Inflatable Clown Show and Laurie Lee Trick Riding.