Fair ideas

From school fairs to hometown celebrations, plan a fun-filled event with games, contests, tasty treats, and entertainment that brings the whole crowd together.

Fair planning tips

Every great Fair starts with a spark of inspiration. Discover fresh ideas and expert advice to help you plan with confidence and creativity.

Fall Festival Ideas to Make Your Event the Talk of the Town

There's something about the first cool snap of autumn that makes everyone want to gather outside, pull on a flannel, and eat something dipped in caramel. If you're planning a fall festival this year, you've got a golden opportunity to bring your community, congregation, coworkers, or family together for an afternoon nobody will stop talking about.

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School Fair Ideas for Every Season and Subject

No matter the subject or season, a well-planned school fair can spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of discovery for students and families alike. From building community connections to showcasing student talents, these events offer something special for everyone. Here are some ideas to help you plan unforgettable school fairs year-round.

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Step Right Up with These Fun Carnival Games and Activities

When planning a carnival-themed party, the right mix of games and activities is key to capturing that authentic, playful vibe. Whether it’s a family-friendly corporate event or a carnival-themed birthday party, these ideas will ensure your guests have a blast. Let’s dive into some fun-filled options to make everyone feel like a kid again.

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The Basics of Planning a Festival

A festival can be a great way to celebrate diversity, build community, and make lasting memories. The process of planning a festival can be challenging, but the benefits and shared joy are well worth it! With creative festival ideas and good planning, you can make an event that is fun, unique, and deeply meaningful. Read on to discover how to plan a festival that sparks joy and creates unforgettable memories for your attendees.

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Back-to-School Fair Ideas Your Students Will Love

Summer is almost over, and that means one thing — it's time to go back to school! Get the kiddos excited about the upcoming school year with a big celebration. We've found some great ideas and activities that can help with planning your back-to-school fair.

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It’s That Time of Year!

Fairs have been around for a very long time - they’re one of the great American traditions - and they usually only come around once a year! From funnel cakes and corn dogs to the carnival games and rides, all the way to the live entertainment and prizes, the state, county, or city fair is the place to be. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather up your family and see if Jimmy can beat his dad in the pie eating contest, and finally decide once and for all who cooks the best BBQ. Planning the fair is the easy part, because luckily you’ve got us over at GigSalad to help you out with all the details!

The Important Details First

First and foremost, we must pick a date. Most likely you will want to do this some time during the summer months so that the weather is warm enough to be outside. That being said, with summer comes summer thunderstorms, so make sure you are prepared for any and all weather possibilities! Will you be having this fair just one night only, or will it be a weekend extravaganza?

You must also set the mood for this fair. Make sure you contact one of the great tent rental companies here on GigSalad to get just the right sizes and number of tents. Be sure to have lots of signs and what-not to point guests in the right direction of the pie eating contest or the live nightly entertainment! You’ll also want to make sure there is some form of lighting and access to electricity on your fancy fairground. Wouldn’t want your guests wandering around in the dark now would you? These are all some of the little details you are going to want to discuss with your venue or location.

Now for the Fun Part!

What on earth are you going to have at the fair to keep everyone entertained and excited? We have tons of options depending on which direction you’d like to go, and we’ve got a little something for everyone. Maybe a designated kids area with face painters, balloon twisters, and a petting zoo? There’s definitely have to be carnival games and rides at this fair. Certainly we all have fond (or squeamish) memories of riding the Scrambler as children, and wouldn’t you just love to share that same terror with a new generation? How about nightly live entertainment? An 80s cover band? Caribbean or Island themed music? Don’t forget the funnel cakes, corn dogs, and fried... well... everything! Check out any one of our caterers to get some great fair fare! How about having a stunt performer or a sports exhibition?

Still feeling a little nervous?

Now if this is just too much for you to handle alone, don’t give up! We have plenty of event planners ready and willing to lend a planning hand! They are here to make sure all the little details are taken care of so you can sit back and relax. Don’t forget a photographer to capture all the great moments, especially the pie eating contest! Make sure you share all those awesome photos with us over at the GigSalad Facebook page. We can’t wait to see what great ideas you’ve come up with!

Featured booking options for Columbus, OH events:

Featured

Speed Sketchers 60 Second Caricatures

5.0 (13)
40 Verified bookings

  • Powell, OH
  • Caricaturist
  • $250 – $1,850 per event

Veronica said “Adam is phenomenal! Super chill! All my guests loved him! He drew all my 110 guests in 3 hours. He was a whole vibe! And made my birthday even more special! Thank you so much! ”
Featured

Santa Snow

5.0 (9)
10 Verified bookings

  • Delaware, OH
  • Santa Claus
  • Starts at $150

Amanda W. said “We could not have asked for a better Santa for our annual client appreciation event! He was absolutely amazing with the kids and went so far beyond just taking pictures. He spent real time with... ”
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Shake Rattle & Roll Pianos - Midwest

4.89 (36)
Top Performer
63 Verified bookings

  • Columbus, OH
  • Dueling Pianos
  • Starts at $200

Kelsey S. said “Holy cow! These guys are AWESOME!! The crowd participation was amazing and the energy throughout the restaurant was felt all night long. We had multiple comments on how fun the pianos were and we will... ”
Featured

Dynamic Entertainment Collective

5.0 (7)
25 Verified bookings

  • Columbus, OH
  • Face Painter
  • Starts at $125

Lacie L. said “Both ladies did a wonderful job and made our staff appreciation event extra special for the kiddos! I would highly recommend Dynamic Entertainment Collective for any event! ”

Explore all of your options!

With over 500 categories of performers and services, you’re sure to find something amazing for your event.