Benton Franklin Fair: What to know about tickets, carnival rides, concerts & more
August means the return of the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo to the Tri-Cities region.
Advertised as the “Best Week of the Summer,” the event features concerts, carnival rides, a rodeo, a demolition derby and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 fair — including how to save money on tickets, rides and more.
When is Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo in 2025? Where?
The Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo runs from Tuesday, Aug. 19, to Saturday, Aug. 23.
The fairgrounds are at 1500 South Oak Street in Kennewick.
There’s a new main entrance at the main parking lot due to updates from the fairgrounds’ landlord, according to a news release from the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo.
This will be clearly marked, the release said.
The fairgrounds are open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday.
When and where does Grand Parade start?
Fair festivities kick off with the Grand Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.
The parade route begins at Dayton Street in Kennewick and heads down First Avenue to Kennewick Avenue, finishing on Auburn Street.
Later on Saturday, the demolition derby features “high-speed action and epic crashes” at the fair’s Speck Dealerships Arena, according to the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo website.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with time trials starting at 5:30 p.m. and races beginging at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to the derby were sold out as of Thursday, Aug. 14.
What are fair ticket prices and deals?
You can save money by buying tickets for the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo in advance at the box office or online.
Tickets cost $13 at the box office and $15 online in advance, or $15 to $17 during the fair.
At any time, admission for youth ages 6 to 12 costs $5 at the box office and $6 online. Kids 5 and under get in free.
Tickets for seniors 65 and older cost $5 at the box office and $6 online.
Military services members can get in for $5 by purchasing tickets at the box office with military ID.
Group sales are available with case-by-case rates.
You can get season passes at the box office for $52 or online for $57.50.
Season passes for youth and seniors cost $20 at the box office or $22.50 online.
Deals are available on select days.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, is Kids Day, with youth tickets available for $2 at the box office only.
On STCU School Employee Appreciation Day, Aug. 20, anyone employed by a school or college can get into the fair for free by bringing a school ID or pay stub.
How much does parking cost at Tri-Cities fair?
You can purchase parking spots in advance for $10 at the box office, or $11.25 online.
During the fair, parking costs a bit more: $12 in person or $13.50 online.
Updates to the fairgrounds have removed parking lot lighting and wayfinding signs, the fair said in its release.
In responses, the fair has added signs and row numbers featuring farm animals to help attendees keep track of their spots.
To avoid parking fees and traffic, you can take a free shuttle through Ben Franklin Transit.
Where can I catch a shuttle to Kennewick fairgrounds?
During the fair, bus shuttle services run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and an extra half hour at the end of the night on Saturday, according to Ben Franklin Transit.
There are six park-and-ride locations across Tri-Cities:
- Hapo Center (South Side): Hourly rides begin at 9 a.m., picking up to every half hour at 4 p.m. at 22nd Avenue
- Transit Center: Hourly rides begin at 9 a.m., picking up to every half hour at 4 p.m.
- Kamiakin High School (near the tennis courts): Hourly rides begin at 9 a.m., picking up to every half hour at 4 p.m.
- Lampson Stadium parking lot: Rides every half hour beginning at 9 a.m., picking up to every 15 minutes at 4 p.m.
- Knight Street Transit Center: Hourly rides begin at 9:15 a.m., picking up to every half hour at 4 p.m.
- Queensgate Transit Center: Hourly rides begin at 9:15 a.m., picking up to every half hour at 4 p.m.
Additionally, Dial-A-Ride customers can reserve free rides to the fair by calling 509-735-0160.
Both the bus shuttles and Dial-A-Ride services are free by courtesy of Central Plateau Cleanup Company.
How much are carnival ride wristbands at Benton Franklin Fair?
Davis Shows Northwest is providing the carnival rides at the 2025 fair, including the classic Zipper, Orbiter and Starship 2000.
You can purchase single tickets or an all-day wristband for a full day of ride access.
When purchased before the fair, all-day wristbands cost $35 at the box office or $39 online.
During the fair, wristbands are available at Davis Shows Northwest Ticket Booths for $40 apiece.
On Kids Day — Wednesday Aug. 20 — you can buy one carnival wristband and get another one half-off.
Each ride costs one ticket per person. Individual tickets cost $7, or you can purchase a pack of five for $30.
On Thursday, rides cost just $2 each from noon to 6 p.m.
Which concerts can I see for free in 2025?
The Hayden Homes Summer Concert Series is held at the ICCU Stage. Gates to the stage area open at 7 p.m., with shows starting around 7:45 p.m., according to organizers.
Concerts are free with fair admission, but you can reserve seats to snag spots closer to the stage and get special perks.
As of Thursday, one concert was sold out and others had limited seating options.
Reserved seating costs $30 at the box office or $33 online.
It’s split into three sections: A, B and C. There is a bar connected to reserved seating, but no attached restrooms.
The standing-room-only Fan Zone is meant for dancing and mingling. No chairs are allowed.
The Fan Zone has its own entrance, bar and restrooms. Tickets are $40 at the box office or $44.25 online as long as they’re available.
VIP tickets include first-come, first-served seating in the VIP area, and come with bar access and a luxury bathroom trailer.
VIP tickets are $60 at the box office or $65.75 online.
Here’s who is performing at the 2025 fair, and when:
- Tuesday, Aug. 19: Jake Owen
- Wednesday, Aug. 20: Daughtry
- Thursday, Aug. 21: Wynonna (sold out)
- Friday, Aug. 22: Smash Mouth and Sir Mix-A-Lot
- Saturday, Aug. 23: Banda Carnaval
How much is admission to rodeo?
The Horse Heaven Round-Up rodeo will be held at the Speck Dealerships Arena every day of the fair, with gates opening at 6 p.m.
Tickets for Tuesday through Thursday are $10 at the box office or $11.25 online.
Admission on Friday and Saturday costs $15 at the box office or $17 online.
Covered Sundowns seats are $20 at the box office or $22.75 online.
What can I eat or drink at Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo?
Dozens of concessions options will be scattered throughout the fair, offering classic fried fair foods, Asian cuisines, Mexican food and more.
The Taste of the Fair promotion offers sampler items at participating vendors from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Each participating vendor will have a $3 menu item, so you can try as many treats as you’d like.
Additionally, these value meals will be available all week long:
- Beaver State Burrito: Bean and cheese burrito for $10
- JJ and Son’s BBQ: Burger OR Polish dog plus fries and small drink for $9.99
- JJ and Son’s Seafood: Fish and chips plus small drink for $9.99
- Joe’s Hot Chicken: Chicken strip, fries and drink for $9.99
- Monster Grill: Small hot dog, bag of chips and drink for $12.99
- Pineapple Grill: Small teriyaki chicken and lemonade for $15
- Pizza Hut: Slice, breadstick and drink for $12
- Spud McVaye’s: All beef hot dog and value size spuds for $10
- Stizzy’s Flacos Tacos: 8-inch cheese quesadilla, rice and beans plus drink for $12.99
Which items are banned at the fair?
Security screening is required for entry to the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo, and all bags will be searched.
According to fair organizers, the following items are not be allowed:
- Weapons, including pocket knives and pepper spray
- Alcohol, cannabis and illegal drugs
- Bikes, skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards
- Outside food or drinks
- Animals, except service animals on a leash or harness
- Ice chests and coolers
- Non-authorized golf carts, motorized vehicles
- Drones
- Non-authorized marketing
Other items may also be determined dangerous by safety staff or fair management.
If you have any prohibited items, you cannot leave them at the gates, organizers said.
You must return them to your car or they will be taken by staff and not returned.
This story was originally published August 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM.