What to know before heading to the 2022 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo
The “best week of summer” is here for the Tri-Cities. And it’s bound to be a sizzler.
Tuesday marks the opening of the 74th annual Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo.
From fun fair food, to the raucous rodeo, to demolition — and diaper — derbies, all the fan favorites are back in full swing this year.
Here’s a roundup of everything you need to know before a hop on the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Hours and price
The fair is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, through Friday, Aug. 26, and open until midnight on the final day, Saturday, Aug. 27.
Admission prices at the gate are:
Adults: $15
Kids 6-12: $5, or $2 on Kids Day Wednesday
Seniors 65 and older: $5
Military: $5
Children 5 years and younger are free.
STCU is also sponsoring Educators Appreciation Day on Wednesday. If you work at a college or school, make sure you show your ID at the admission gate for free entry.
Parking is $12 daily or $48 for the “season.”
The Davis Carnival opens daily at noon. All-day wristbands are $40. The day before the fair opens, on Monday, passes are $35. There are age restrictions on certain rides.
A map of the fairgrounds, stages and actives, as well as directions to the site, can be found on the fair’s website.
What’s new
There’s plenty of exciting changes coming to the fair this year. The list goes on, said Lori Lancaster, executive director of the Benton Franklin Fair Association.
Watch out for the roaming uni-cycling unicorn.
A favorite Disney delight — DOLE Whip — is also new this year. Fairgoers can also slurp on a virgin piña colada served in a pineapple.
Or check out the new seafood stand, flush with oysters and other savory snacks.
If you haven’t bought your rodeo tickets, the fair is hosting a new tail gate saloon with a livestream of the event. This is a great place to socialize and grab a cold beverage.
Shuttle service
Ben Franklin Transit will provide hourly shuttle service to the Kennewick fairgrounds.
Cost is $1.50 per adult each way, and seniors are 75 cents each way. Children 18 or younger ride for free.
Special admission-shuttle combination tickets are available for purchase online. They include a round-trip shuttle and fair admission, and is $13 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.
Service begins daily at 9 a.m. with the final buses leaving the fairgrounds at 11:30 p.m. most days.
Here are the six pickup locations:
Kennewick: Kamiakin High School and Lampson Stadium.
Pasco: HAPO Center and 22nd Avenue Transit Center.
Richland: Knight Street Transit Center and Tulip Lane Park and Ride.
After 4 p.m., buses will begin leaving every half-hour from their pickup locations, and every 15 minutes from Lampson Stadium.
On Friday and Saturday, the last bus will depart from the fairgrounds at midnight.
Ben Franklin Transit will also have one daily return shuttle from the fair to West Richland, Benton City and Prosser that will leave at 10:30 p.m.
Riders in those areas can take their normal bus routes to Knight Street Transit Center to catch a shuttle to the fair.
Eligible riders can also request dial-a-ride paratransit service by calling 509-735-0160.
Live music
There’s a diverse, star-studded lineup of musical artists set for the 2022 Summer Concert Series. They’ll perform nightly at the Main Stage.
Tuesday, Aug. 23: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Wednesday, Aug. 24: Ja Rule and Ashanti
Thursday, Aug. 25: Billy Currington
Friday, Aug. 26: STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas
Saturday, Aug. 27: Luis Angel “El Flaco”
Rodeo
Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo will host five nights of rodeo performances starting 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The rodeo is offering a total payout of $170,000 over several events, including bareback riding, saddle bronc, breakaway roping, bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and team roping.
On championship Saturday, the rodeo will present the Top 12 in each event to compete to be crowned the overall winner of the rodeo.
Market stock sale
The annual Benton Franklin Market Stock sale for youth exhibitors will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the sale barn.
Last year’s sale was the largest youth auction in the state, grossing in more than $1.1 million for local 4-H and FFA members.
There will be two sale rings running at the same time. Buyer’s can register at bentonfranklinfair.com or by calling 509-222-3749.
Grand Derby
The demolition derby is Saturday, Aug. 20.
A tailgate party with live music starts at 4 p.m. Time trials start 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids 6-12. Kids 5 and younger are free.
