LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB) – The Florida Gateway Fair is in its 71st year, and while everyone is excited to ride rides like the bumper cars, some people are upset by the price increase, while others say it’s worth it.
“I think it’s really still a reasonable price to pay, and you get to be with your family and your friends,” shared Wellborn resident Debbie Horner.
Horner says she’s been coming to this fair for the past four years, and expected prices to rise.
“I know that it went up, and it goes up like every year, but overall it’s worth it,” Horner said. “All of the free things you get to do, like going to the businesses and getting all these free items and things like that.”
However, some people TV20 talked to off-camera say they were sticker-shocked to learn it’s $12 to get in and $30 for a wristband to ride the rides.
“It’s just a great thing to do,” shared attendee Isabelle Lang.
Lang attended with her family and loves the fair atmosphere.
“I like to see my friends sometimes, and I also love to like ride the rides, especially to do the bumpers and hit my friends too,” Lang said.
But of course, there can’t be fun without policies. Last year, new security policies were implemented after a fight broke out on the fairgrounds, and they are still in effect.
This includes only bringing in a clear bag or small clutch, and anyone under 18 is required to be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. Each adult can also only chaperone four minors at a time.
“I like to hang with people who are like my family to me, and I like to get on rides I haven’t been on since I was a teenager,” shared Wellborn resident Andy Hodges.
So if you do want to pay the price increase, the fair, of course, has rides, games, livestock shows, and fun for the whole family.
The fair runs through Nov. 2.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.