General Admission
How do the Pre-Sale Family Flex Packages work?
Exclusively before Opening Day, all tickets are sold as Family Flex Packages. These packages are designed to give families the ultimate value and flexibility, allowing you to attend ANY ONE DAY OF OUR 10-DAY FAIR!
To protect our youth admission policies and reward our bulk-buying families, you have the exclusive opportunity to add additional Adult Flex Passes to your family package for just $9.00 each (a discount off the standard advance price) at the time of purchase. This special offer is presented automatically once the Family Flex Package has been selected and added to your shopping cart.
How do I purchase admission for children ages 5 & under?
Children 5 & under do not need a ticket purchased. When you arrive at the fairgrounds, children 5 & under will be scanned directly at the gate alongside any scanned adult ticket.
We highly recommend purchasing all Adult and Youth tickets online in advance to skip the box office lines entirely and head straight to the gates!
Are tickets refundable or exchangeable if something comes up and I can’t attend?
Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-exchangeable. However, **NEW THIS YEAR!** We are excited to share that our exclusively pre-sold tickets are now **Flex Passes**!
What this means is that if you purchase your tickets before Opening Day, they can be used **ANY ONE DAY OF OUR 10-DAY FAIR!** You no longer have to lock yourself into a specific date when buying in advance.
Please See our
Purchase Policy for more information.
Parking
How much is parking?
Parking at the Florida Gateway Fairgrounds is free for all attendees. It is first come first serve. Donations are accepted and benefit Police Explorers, Boys and Girls Scout Troops 85, and Citizens Police Academy Alumni.
We are proud to have local charities and organizations that volunteer as parking attendants during our events. Your cooperation with their guidance helps support community causes while ensuring a smooth parking experience for everyone.
Do you have disabled parking?
Parking is first come, first serve.
There are disabled parking spaces at the East Gate. The address to this parking lot is 438 FL-247, Lake City, FL 32025.
There are disabled parking spaces at the Main Entrance. The parking lot is located on the corner of SW Bascom Norris Dr and SW Mary Ethel Ln in Lake City, FL 32025.
Map of the Fairgrounds
Rides
Can I purchase ride tickets or wristbands in advance?
Our midway provider, Primetime Carnival Company, does not currently offer the sale of wristbands or ride tickets in advance. Ride wristbands and individual tickets must be purchased directly at the midway ticket booths once you are inside the fairgrounds. Daily ride wristbands are available for purchase every day of the fair at the midway booths, allowing your family the flexibility to decide on ride options when you arrive.
What are the Height Requirements for the rides?
For the safety of guests, all attractions have strict height requirements set by the ride manufacturers and state inspectors.
Children who measure 32 inches may ride with an adult on select attractions.
Children who measure 36 inches may ride alone on a few smaller kid rides.
Once children reach 42 inches, they may ride with an adult or alone on several intermediate rides.
Children measuring 48 inches or taller may ride alone on most thrill attractions.
We highly recommend measuring your children before purchasing wristbands, as refunds are not issued for height restrictions. Additionally, please note that all riders—including adults riding along to accompany children—must have their own individual ticket or wristband to board any ride on the midway.
Policies
Will there be trick or treating and can I wear a costume on Halloween?
Most of our booth vendors are local businesses and offer trick-or-treating on Halloween in our Community Showcase Hall (Building C), so don't forget to go check them out! Costumes are welcome and encouraged. However, since this is a family-oriented event, we ask that all costumes be appropriate for all ages. For safety and security reasons, masks or full face coverings are not allowed. Let’s keep it festive and fun for everyone!
Senior Day Admission | Sunday, November 1st
Who qualifies for Senior day?
Senior Day is the day we celebrate the pillars of our community! Seniors ages 65 & older receive free gate admission on the first Sunday of the fair. The eligible guest must be present at the Box Office ticket booths and show proper identification to receive their free admission ticket. Advanced online tickets cannot be redeemed for this promotion.
BOGO Day Admission | Tuesday, November 3rd
How do I purchase Buy One, Get One free admission and ride wristbands?
To skip the box office lines and get into the fair faster, we highly recommend purchasing your Buy One, Get One (BOGO) promotional admission packages online! Please note that these special BOGO packages will not be available until Opening Day.
Once the fair opens, simply select the designated BOGO promotion date on our online ticketing calendar to purchase your discounted packages in advance and head straight to the admission gates for scanning.
If you prefer to buy your BOGO tickets at the fairgrounds Box Office, they will be available exclusively on the day of the promotion, and both individuals utilizing the offer must be present at the ticket window at the time of purchase.
All BOGO promotional tickets and packages are strictly locked to the specific promotion date selected and cannot be exchanged or used on any other day of the fair.
Student Day Admission | Wednesday, November 4th
How does my student get in for free on Student Day?
A student coupon is distributed exclusively through the Columbia County School Board. The student must be present at the time of purchase for free admission, and the physical coupon must be presented at the Midway ticket booth to redeem $2 off a ride wristband. All other students—including homeschoolers, college students, and out-of-county students—must provide a valid school I.D., current report card, or official homeschool verification letter at the gate for free admission.
Hometown Heroes Admission | Sunday, November 8th
What is Hometown Heroes Day?
Hometown Heroes Day is the day we honor the military service members, first responders, nurses, and teachers who protect, educate, and serve our community!
Qualifying Heroes receive free gate admission on the final Sunday of the fair. The eligible hero must be present at the Box Office ticket booths and show proper professional credentials to receive their free admission ticket. Advanced online tickets cannot be redeemed for this promotion.
Who qualifies for Military Free Admission?
Military must be present at the ticket booth and must show proper credentials to qualify for the free admission ticket. Advanced tickets can not be purchased for Military.
Active duty: You are currently a member of the military. This includes Active duty, National Guard, and Reserves.
Retirees: You are retired from the military. This includes any former member of the military who is entitled, under statute, to retirement or retainer pay. For example, 20 or more years of cumulative time in service, or being 100% medically retired.
Veterans: You have previously served in the military. Former members of the military who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and served less than 20 years cumulative time in service are eligible.
We follow select ID.me guidelines to determine who qualifies for individual free admission.
Who qualifies for First Responders Free Admission?
First Responders must be present at the ticket booth and must show proper credentials to qualify for the free admission ticket. Advanced tickets can not be purchased for First Responders.
Law Enforcement Officers: You are currently an active or retired law enforcement officer. This includes Federal, State, and Local Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Troopers, Corrections Officers, and Court Security / Detention Officers.
Firefighters: You are currently an active or retired career or volunteer firefighter.
EMTs and Paramedics: You are currently a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic, Advanced) or Paramedic.
911 Dispatchers: You are currently an active public safety telecommunicator, EMS dispatcher, or 911 communications officer.
We follow select ID.me guidelines to determine who qualifies for individual free admission.
Who qualifies for Nurses Free Admission?
Nurses must be present at the ticket booth and must show proper credentials to qualify for the free admission ticket. Advanced tickets can not be purchased for Nurses.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN / ARNP): You are currently a certified advanced practice nurse, including Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), and Certified Nurse-Midwives.
Registered Nurses (RN): You are currently licensed as a Registered Nurse.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN / LVN): You are currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) & Nurse Aides: You are currently certified or registered as a nursing assistant, nurse aide, or patient care assistant.
We follow select ID.me guidelines to determine who qualifies for individual free admission.
Who qualifies for Teachers Free Admission?
Teachers must be present at the ticket booth and must show proper credentials to qualify for the free admission ticket. Advanced tickets can not be purchased for Teachers.
Classroom Teachers (PreK-12): You are currently a certified or licensed classroom teacher working in a public, private, charter, or accredited homeschool setting.
School Employees & Staff (PreK-12): You are currently employed at a PreK-12 school. This includes Principals, Assistant Principals, Guidance Counselors, Librarians, Teacher Aides, and school support staff.
College & University Faculty: You are currently employed as a Professor, Adjunct Professor, or full-time instructor at an accredited higher education institution.
We follow select ID.me guidelines to determine who qualifies for individual free admission.