The Salem Fair is back for its 37th year, officially opening Wednesday, July 2, at the Salem Civic Center and Taliaferro Complex. The popular summer event runs daily through Saturday, July 13.
Recognized as America’s largest free-gate fair, the Salem Fair draws between 250,000 and 350,000 visitors annually. The fair features 14 acres of midway attractions, with approximately 40 rides, more than 30 food vendors, commercial exhibits, free daily shows and live music each night.
The fair is open:
- Monday through Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m.
- Fridays: 2 to 10 p.m. (new for 2025)
- Saturdays and Sundays: noon to 10 p.m.
Opening night ride promotions include a $20 wristband available before 6 p.m. and $30 after 6 p.m. Daily ride wristband specials continue throughout the fair, including themed nights such as Family 4-Pack Night, Pepsi Night, and charity nights benefiting the Salem Food Pantry, Rescue Mission, and Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet.
Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, weather permitting.
New attractions this year include All American Pig Races, Disc Connected K9’s, and Catherine Hickland’s mind reading and hypnosis show. Returning favorites include Danny Grant’s Cowboy Circus, Hilby the German Juggling Boy and the Small World of Agriculture exhibit.
Evening concerts begin nightly at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on the Hart Motors Musical Stage. Scheduled performers include Pleading the 5th, Mountain Highway, Thunder Ridge, Vinyl Nation and Cimmaron.
The fair offers 2,000 on-site parking spaces, with continuous shuttle service from the old General Electric facility on Roanoke Boulevard once lots are full. To assist with pedestrian flow, the area in front of the Civic Center is closed to vehicle traffic.
Commercial exhibits and Blue Ribbon competitions are located inside the air-conditioned Salem Civic Center. Exhibit hours are 4 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. on weekends.
For a complete schedule, ride list and more information, visit salemfair.com.
