Ask Big Al
Welcome to “Ask Big Al.” Big Al is here to answer all your burning questions about State Fair at the Meadowlands Fairgrounds and how you and your family can have a great time and take advantage of all we offer our valued patrons. If you would like to see a video of Big Al answering some of our most frequently asked questions, click here.
Q. Who the heck is Big Al?A. Actually, no one has ever seen Big Al. The only person who might know would be the great and powerful Wizard of Oz himself! Like the Wizard, Big Al is a very good man. We believe he is as wise as a guru, as knowledgeable as a professor and as funny as a root canal.
Until we figure out where to find him, we’ve asked Big Sis to answer the most frequently asked questions for our fairgoers.
Q. I have more questions, how do I contact you directly?A. You may email us at anytime micheletee@stfair.com or call us before the fair at 973-450-1073.
Q. How do I buy advance sale tickets?A. Advance Sale Tickets may be purchased online or by phone (973-450-1073) through June 16 - we accept Amex, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. Mail Orders must be received by June 7 with payment by check or money order.
Q. How do I sign up for Recreation Day?A. Call Tina Weidemann at 973-450-1073 or send her an email at tinaw@stfair.com. Tina is available to answer your questions Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Q. How do I become a vendor at the Fair?A. Call Al Jr. at 973-450-1073 or send him an email at adorsojr@yahoo.com. Al Jr. is available to answer your questions Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Q. What time does the fair open and close?A. Monday through Thursday 6pm to 12 midnight
Fridays 6pm to 2am
Saturdays 2pm to 2am
Sundays 2pm-12 midnight
SPECIAL HOURS: June 17, 5pm to 1am - June 24, 5pm to 12am - July 4, 2pm to 2am - July 5, 2pm to midnight
Q. What's the best time to come to the Fair?A.
- If you are a crowd lover, Opening Night, Carload Night, Fourth of July and weekend evenings are the best times to be part of the crowd.
- If you and your family prefer to take advantage of all that is offered at your own pace, weeknights and weekend days are the best times to enjoy the fair.
Q. How much does it cost to park?A. Parking is $3.00 daily with the following exceptions:
June 17 - $1.00
June 24 – parking fee included in carload night promotion.
Q. Is there an admission cost? How much?A. Yes there is gate admission, which includes Lots of Free Live Entertainment. We have kept the costs the same for the past four years.
Monday through Thursday – Persons 13 & Older is $7.00; Children 12 & Under is $5.00.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Persons 13 & Older is $9.00; Children 12 & Under is $6.00.
Children less than 34 inches admitted free but must have a ticket to ride. Please check our FAIR DEALS section of the website for admission specials like Carload Night, which includes admission for everyone in your vehicle and Opening Night where admission is $2 per person
Q. What’s free entertainment? How much does it cost?A. Free Entertainment is actually FREE with your admission Ticket. There are live shows throughout each day. This year’s free entertainment includes Piccadilly Circus, Sea Lion Splash, Batcopter Aerial Stunt Show, BMX Stunt Show, Racing Pigs, Hypnotist Steve Bayner, Festival of Magic, and Petting Zoo.
Q. How much does dollar night cost?A. Opening Preview Dollar Night costs $2/person admission; $1/car to park; $1/person per ride; $1/person per game; $1/selected food items at all food stands. Your admission also includes lots of free entertainment.
Q. What's Carload Night?A. CARLOAD NIGHT is a special Thursday Fair Deal. For one low price of $69 per card load, you get parking, gate admission and unlimited ride hand stamps for everyone in your vehicle up to 8 people.
| # of People | Reg. Cost | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | $203 | $134 |
| 7 | $178 | $109 |
| 6 | $153 | $84 |
| 5 | $128 | $59 |
| 4 | $103 | $34 |
| 3 | $78 | $9 |
Gates Open 5 PM to 12 AM.
If You Are Not Interested In This Fair Deal, the following pricing applies tonight:
Gate Admission is $7/Adult, $5/Child, Children Under 34” Admitted Free
URH Pricing is $17.99/Adult or Child
Q. What kind of rides are at the Fair?A. State Fair Meadowlands features a great variety of thrilling rides for adults and teens as well as the biggest kiddieland with over 25 rides for children including live animal rides.
Q. How much is a ride ticket? Do you have bracelets?
A. Rather than bracelets, we have UNLIMITED RIDE HAND STAMPS, which may be purchased at Ticket Boxes on the Main Midway and on the Carnival Midway as follows. Gate Admission is additional and does NOT include live animal rides or special attractions. Mon-Thu=$17.99/person; Fridays=$19.99/person; Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays = $24.99/person. Opening Night & Carload Night are the exception.
The following ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
CARNIVAL RIDE TICKETS may be purchased at Ticket Boxes on the Main Midway and on the Carnival Midway. A single ride ticket costs $1. (Carnival rides use 3 to 5 tickets per person per ride). You may buy 56 tickets for $50, which is an 11% discount over the single ticket price.
LIVE ANIMAL RIDE TICKETS (Ponies, Elephant & Camel) may be purchased at the Petting Zoo Ticket Box for $5.00/person per ride.
SPECIAL ATTRACTION TICKETS may be purchased at the Attractions’ Ticket Box. Approximate cost for these shows (Freak Shows and Sideshows) range from $1.00 to $3.00. Bumper Boat Rides estimated at $4.00 per person per ride.
Q. We bought a Mega Pass through Advance Sale Tickets, where do we get our hand stamped?A. If you purchased a Mega Pass in Advance, please go to the Information Booth located on the Main Midway in front of the Fair Office to have your hand stamped.
Q. Is the fair indoors or outdoors?A. Although there are tented areas, we are primarily an outdoor event.
Q. Is it raining?A. Hard to tell from inside the computer. I suggest you go to our home page and check out the East Rutherford weather.
Q. If it rains, can I get my money back?A. No, there are no refunds for rain except for July 9, Carload Night. Should there be inclement weather that evening causing the fair to close, the Carload Night Voucher will be exchanged for 3 admission and 3 unlimited ride hand stamps valued at $102.
Q. Do you have concerts/live music?A. Yes, we have local and national musical talent appearing on our Main Stage. We will also feature a Michael Jackson Tribute Artist on June 20. Showtimes TBD.
Q. What kind of food is at the Fair?A.Over 50 food vendors offer an astonishing array of gastronomic treats. In addition to our fabulous Fair Food like Corn Dogs, Curly Fries, Funnel Cakes and Cotton Candy, you will find Sausage & Peppers, Cheese Steaks, Pizza & Pasta, Greek, Asian and Hispanic treats along with Salads and Ice Cream.
This year, you will also be able to enjoy a Burger that is sweeping the nation. Featured on the Food Network and CBS News, State Fair is bringing THE DONUT BURGER – A Hamburger with Bacon and Cheese lovingly placed between two Krispy Kreme Donuts – YUMMY!
Q. What's going on today at the Fair?A. There is so much going on at the Fair on a daily basis, the best way to find out is to click on DAILY EVENTS SCHEDULE option in the Fair Information Section of the website.
Q. How do I get to the Fair?A. The Fair is conveniently located in the heart of the Tri-state area where Route 3 and the NJ Turnpike meet, easily accessible to all major highways. Additionally, there is Bus and Rail Service available from New York City and New Jersey.
BY CAR - Address: 50 Rte 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
BUS AND RAIL SERVICE: www.njtransit.com. For information by telephone, call NJ Transit Information Center. Automated service is available 24/7 and operators are available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (973) 275-5555; Text TTT: (800) 772-2287
Q. Do you rent strollers?A. Yes, we have strollers and wagons that hold more than one child. Of course, you may bring your own. Rentals are available at the Main Entrance to the Fairgrounds.
Daily rentals - Stroller is $8.00; Pull Wagon is $15.00
Q. Do you rent wheelchairs?A. Yes, we do, both push and electric. Of course, you may bring your own. Our electrical wires are covered allowing easy movement throughout the fair for our wheelchair-bound patrons. Rentals are available at the Main Entrance to the Fairgrounds.
Daily Rentals - Push Wheelchair - $12.00; Motorized Scooter - $50.00
Q. Do you serve alcohol at the Fair?A. No, alcohol is NOT served at the Fair; nor, are you are not allowed to bring your own.
Q. Are pets allowed at the Fair?A. In general pets are not allowed unless they are to aid a handicapped patron. Even then, they must be leashed and muzzled.
Q. Is there a nearby hotel to stay?A. Yes, there are several reputable hotels in the area. We recommend Marriott’s Fairfield Inn at East Rutherford. Guests may get a discounted rate by calling 1-800-MARRIOTT (627-7468). You must mention that you are members of Meadowlands State Fair Group. To see accommodations, click on this link: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/EWRSC
For other locations and information regarding the area, click this link: www.stayinthemeadowlands.com
If you have a question that is not answered by Big Al, please email micheletee@stfair.com.