‘Best Week of Summer.’ Your megaguide to the 2024 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo

For many, the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo is the last yeehaw of summer before the weather cools and kids head back to school.

This year “The Best Week of Summer” is Aug. 20-24, though it it kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, with the Grand Parade through downtown Kennewick and the sold-out demolition derby.

Hours for the fair festivities at the fairgrounds in east Kennewick are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight.

The Davis Shows Northwest carnival opens at noon each day.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the 2024 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo:

Benton Franklin fair ticket prices

You can buy tickets before the fair at the self-serve kiosk at 6705 Chapel Hill Blvd. in Pasco, or by going online. Tickets are more expensive after the fair starts, but can be purchased the day-of at the front office.

• Adult pre-sale: $13, or $15 at the gate
• Ages 5 and under: free
• Kids age 6 to 12: $5, or $2 on Kids Day Wednesday
• Seniors 65 and older: $5
• Military: $5 with ID
• School employees: Free with proof of employment (school ID or paystub), all positions and all types of schools, public or private, thanks to STCU credit union.

Full season passes, which grant admission everyday of the fair, are $52 for adults, $20 for kids 6 to 12 and seniors 65+.

If you are only going to the concerts or the rodeo, you still need to buy a regular fair admission ticket, along with your event ticket. Standard fair tickets can be used for general admission standing room at main stage concerts, behind those with ticketed seats.

Information on the remaining advance tickets for concerts and rodeo nights is available here.

The fairgrounds is at 1500 S. Oak St. in Kennewick, and maps of the fairground layout, a rodeo map and main stage map are available online.

Fair parking and shuttle buses

Main lot parking for one day is $10 when bought in advance, or $12 day of the fair.

This year, rides to the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo on Ben Franklin Transit are free, sponsored by the Central Plateau Cleanup Company.

The buses will take riders to a special entrance of the fairgrounds. Here are the pickup locations in each city:

Kennewick:

• Kamiakin High School
• Lampson Stadium

Pasco:

• HAPO Center on Burden Boulevard
• 22nd Avenue Transit Center

Richland:

• Knight Street Transit Center
• Tulip Lane Park and Ride

Eligible Dial-A-Ride users can book a free trip to the fair, using the same process as normal by calling 509-735-0160.

The fair also offers a limited number of free wheelchairs for use at the main entrances, for anyone who may need one. Check at the Kiwanis information booths.

Davis Carnival at Benton Franklin Fair

All-day carnival wristbands cost $35 in advance, and $40 day of the fair.

Individual ride tickets cost $7 each — each ride takes one ticket per person. Or buy five-ride package for $30.

Other wristband deals:

• Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Buddy Day Special allows you to buy one wristband and get a second one for half price.
• Thursday, Aug. 22, rides are only $2 from noon to 6 p.m.

The ride rules and restrictions are available online.

Save money at the fair

How can you visit without breaking the bank?

There are several deals you can take advantage of. From admission to meals, you can save quite a bit overall – especially if you’re visiting with several kids.

Start by buying tickets and carnival wristbands before you go. Also, take advantage of the free transit shuttle buses to get to the fairgrounds in east Kennewick.

Find budget-friendly meals all week long at:

• Beaver State Burrito: Bean and rice burrito for $7

• JJ & Son’s BBQ: Burger, fries and small lemonade for $9.99

• JJ & Son’s Seafood: Catfish tender, fries and small drink for $10

• Joe Rock (Sahara Pizza): Slice of pizza and small drink for $10

• MK Concessions: Small teriyaki chicken and 16 ounce lemonade for $12

• Pizza Hut: One slice, breadstick and drink for $12

• ST Concessions: Chicken tenders and fries for $9

• Stizzy’s Flacos Tacos: 8” cheese quesadilla, rice and beans with a drink for $12.99

On Thursday, 22 food vendors will be participating in the 3 Bucks for a Bite promotion between 2 and 6 p.m.

Food and drink vendors are offering small, introductory bites for $3. Pick your favorites and build your own meal. Try half a dozen stands for under $20.

Participants include:

• Azar’s: Quarter of a gyro sandwich

• Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs: Small nacho with onions and peppers

• Big Jim’s Slushee: Extra small slushee

• Big Island Poke and Grill: Furikake (Nori) fries

• Beaver State Burrito: Plate of beans, rice and cheese

• Country Gentleman: Small pretzel

• Here’s the Scoop: Half scoop ice cream in a cup

• JJ & Son’s BBQ: BBQ Slider

• JJ & Son’s Seafood: Fish taco

• JJ & Son’s Lemonade: Small lemonade

• Joe Rock (Sahara Pizza): Dessert slice

• J. Westmoreland Concessions: Mini corndog

• MK Concessions: Two spring rolls

• Loaded Tots: Mini tots

• Knights of Columbus: Half scoop in a cup with a waffle chip

• Miranda’s Sno Shack: Small frozen lemonade

• Needham – Dole: Extra small dole whip

• Needham – Grinders: Small pastrami fries

• Old Fashioned Kettle Corn: Mini bag of kettle corn

• Pasco Kennewick Rotary: Mini elephant ear

• Pizza Hut: Small pizza slice

• Pacific Crest Funnel Cake: 4” powdered sugar funnel cake

• Raspados – Ceviche: Fish tostada

• Raspados – Churros: Bite size churro

• Raspados Fruit: Aguas Frescas

• Rock Concessions: 12 ounce banana slushie

• Swigs Coffee Bar: Sugar cookie

• Stizzy’s Roasted Corn: Half elote

• Stizzy’s Flaco’s Tacos: One al pastor taco

• Spud McVayes: Beer battered spuds sample boat

• ST Concessions: Nugget trio on stick

• West Coast Weenies: Small hot dog or soda

Banned items at the Benton Franklin Fair

Bags and people are checked when you enter the fair and rodeo. You cannot bring:

• Weapons (including pepper spray and pocket knives)

• Alcohol of any kind, marijuana, illegal drugs

• Bicycles, skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards

• Outside food or drinks (empty, refillable bottles are OK)

• Non-service animals

• Ice chests, coolers (soft-sided coolers OK for infants or dietary needs)

• Golf carts

• Motorized vehicles

• Drones

• Unauthorized marketing materials

The front gate cannot store prohibited items, you have to either take them to your car, or give them up entirely.

Fair and rodeo daily event calendar

A complete event schedule for the week is available online. Here are some highlights:

Saturday, August 17

• Grand Parade - 10 a.m. in downtown Kennewick
• Demolition Derby (Sold out) - 6:30 p.m. at the Lithia RAM Arena

Tuesday, August 20

• Opening Day
• Classic Car Show - 10 a.m. in the office courtyard
• Horse Heaven Round-Up Opening Night - 7 p.m at Lithia RAM Arena
• Craig Morgan - 7:45 p.m. at the Main Stage

Wednesday, August 21

• Kiddie Parade (No registration required) - 10 a.m. by the main gate
• Diaper Derby - 6 p.m.
• Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Family Night - 7 p.m. at the Lithia RAM Arena
• The Beach Boys - 7:45 p.m. at the Main Stage

Thursday, August 22

• Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Tough Enough to Wear Pink - 7 p.m. at the Lithia RAM Arena
• Josh Turner - 7:45 p.m. at the Main Stage

Friday, August 23

• Market Stock Sale - 9:30 a.m. at the Show Ring and Sale Barn
• Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Visiting Royalty Night - 7 p.m. at the Lithia RAM Arena
• The Goo Goo Dolls - 7:45 p.m. at the Main Stage

Saturday, August 24

• Rascal Rodeo - 10 a.m. at Lithia RAM Arena
• Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo Patriot Night - 7 p.m. at Lithia RAM Arena
• La Original Banda El Limón - 7:45 p.m. at the Main Stage

This story was originally published August 16, 2024 at 11:03 AM.