CONCORD – The Cabarrus County Fair will open its gates for the 2016 season today and run through Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center off N.C. 49.

Dare to Fair, the theme of this year’s event, invites the public to explore the fair beyond the midway. New this year is a butterfly encounter, which sits alongside crowd favorites such as the petting zoo, livestock displays sand castle carving, milking booth and educational exhibits.

Live performances include karaoke on Friday nights, Skin & Bones Comedy Circus, The Piano Juggler and his bounce piano, Master of the Chainsaw, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, the Great Lakes Timber Show log rolling and Sandscapes sand sculpting.

Watch live demonstrations from local beekeepers, Master Gardeners, wood turners, and nearly a dozen local craft demonstrations and view local farm equipment on display.

See www.cabarruscountyfair.com for entertainment details.

Gate admission to the fair is $7.50 for ages 12-64, $5.35 for ages 65+ and those with military ID, $3.25 for ages 6-11 and ages 5 and younger admitted free. Parking is free. All transactions at the Fair are cash only. ATMs are located at the main gate and throughout the midway, but do carry a surcharge.

2016 gate specials (rides not included):

• Saturday, Sept. 10 – Ribbon cutting ceremony
  Free general gate admission for all from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., only.
• Sunday, Sept. 11 – Cooperative Christian Ministries Canned Food Drive
  Free general gate admission for all from 1-3 p.m. with any brand of four canned food items per adult and two canned food items per child.
• Tuesday, Sept. 13 – School Education Night
  Receive $1 off general gate admission when you show off your school spirit by wearing your favorite grade school to college attire.
• Thursday, Sept. 15 – Salute to Seniors Night
  Admission price of $4.30 for seniors ages 65 and older from 4-6 p.m., only. Price includes sales tax.
• Catch the Fair for free on Fridays
  Present your high school football ticket stub at the gate after the game on Friday, Sept. 9 and 16, only, and get free gate admission for the corresponding evening.

The fair is open on weekdays from 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays from 1-11 p.m.; and Sunday 1-10 p.m.

Cabarrus County Transportation Service (CCTS) provides complimentary parking lot shuttle van service for the satellite parking lots during the weekends. Satellite parking lots are only operational on weekends and CCTS vans run at specified hours. 

Shuttle van service schedule:

Saturday, Sept. 10, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17, 12 p.m.-12 a.m. 

For more information about the fair, including entertainment, tickets or times, visitwww.cabarruscountyfair.com.

Like the fair at www.facebook.com/cabarruscountyfair for fair trivia, prizes and updates. If you’re tweeting from the fair, remember to tag @cabarrusfair.