Take a look at the new Meadow Farm Event Park with our video tour.

The State Fair of Virginia opens Thursday, Sept. 24 in a brand new location at Meadow Farm Park in Caroline County.

Take a closer look with our walking tour of the new 348 acre park.

It's like when couples leave the city for the suburbs, but with a twist...

For the first time in 155 years, State Fair of Virignia is picking up stakes in Richmond and moving to the country.

State Fair of Virginia opens this Thursday, Sept. 24 in a brand new location at Meadow Farm Park in Caroline County.

The sprawling horse farm is the birthplace of Secretariat, the legendary race horse, and home to sprawling hills, old-fashioned stables and a laid-back country vibe. Quite, quite different from State Fair's previous home at the hustle-bustle of the Richmond Raceway Complex.

Get a closer look with our slideshow walking tour of the new fairgrounds. You'll see the horse farm theme throughout the new grounds, from the new ticket booths built to look like the stables to the shed where Secretariat was born.

After $81 million in renovation and five years in planning, Meadow Farm Park is finally ready to make its grand opening this weekend when the gates open for State Fair.

Here's what you need to know about the new location and this year's fair:

The Drive: It's about 20 minutes from downtown Richmond. Exact same exit as Kings Dominion, Exit 98, VA-30 toward Doswell. Drive past the entrance to Kings Dominion and you'll see Meadow Farm with the white horse farm fences about 5 miles down on your right. Get directions here.

Parking: This is new, people. Listen up. For the first time, parking is $5. Cash only. Enter at Gate 1 and park on the lawn. Hop a tram for a ride to the Ticket Plaza.

Map: If you're nervous, check out the map before you go. You can print and carry, plus it gives you a good overview of the new park set-up.

Walking: Wear comfy shoes and get ready to walk. You'll need to walk under or across two pedestrian bridges to get to Festival Loop where you'll find food vendors, midway rides, the concerts, agricultural area and more. The new park features 348 acres and is much more spread out than at RIR. Which means it's pretty...but there's also more ground to cover. Wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent at the Ticket Plaza.

Concerts & Seating : New this year (and to compensate for paid parking), the concerts are free. The Festival Stage will be located directly behind the Ticket Plaza in a white tent similar to what you'd find at Innsbrook. There is no seating for concerts. You can bring a blanket or your own chair and check it for $2. Chairs are available for rent for $5. Or just go ahead and stand. You can do it! Concerts run the gamut from country stars Jason Michael Carroll and Dean Brody on Thursday, Sept. 24 to the Plain White T's on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Midway Rides: Over 60 midway rides and games can be found on Ferris Wheel Lane and beyond. From bumper cars and kiddie planes to tea cups and scramblers, there's something for everyone. Ride tickets are $1 each or wrist bands can be purchased for $15-19. The view from the ferris wheel should be spectacular -- day or night.

The Food: Put your diet on a day's vacation. Festival fare is often fried and laid to the side. Besides turkey legs, brats, stromboli and fried cheese, you'll find everything from fried dough to fried Coke (yes, you right that right) at the food vendors.

Animals & Racing Pigs: Animal lovers, you're in luck. From pigs and chickens, to mutton bustin', cow milking, dairy goats and more, you'll find every kind of farm animal and horse trick at the State Fair. The Racing Pigs race all day every day, as do the racing ducks and you can pay a visit to Young MacDonald's Farm anytime you want. For a full schedule of events, check out the State Fair's Daily Guide.

Admission: One day pass after 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, $8. Any weekday Monday to Friday, $11. Saturday and Sunday, $13. Season pass (11 day pass), does not include rides, $19 in advance, $25 at the fair. Purcase your tickets online in advance.

Hours: Gate opens daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. No entry after 9 p.m. Kidway and Midway open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

What do you think of the new location? Let us know and hop on the Comments section.