Everything You Need to Know About Every County Fair in the DMV

County fairs are a summertime staple -- and in the busy DMV, they continue right into early fall. Escape the city for a day trip to one of the surrounding areas, or celebrate your own county with fried food and carnival rides.

You still have plenty of opportunities to head to the fairgrounds before the season ends.

MARYLAND

Allegany County Fair

When: July 16-23

Where: Allegany County Fairgrounds (11490 Moss Ave., Cumberland)

Animals, rides and a demolition derby are on the schedule for the Allegany County Fair this year. Admission is only $1 for anyone who wants to attend.

Anne Arundel County Fair

When: Sept. 14-18

Where: Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds (1493 General's Highway, Crownsville)

Live wood carving, scarecrow making, and tug of war are just three of the many attractions featured at the Anne Arundel County Fair this year. Admission is $16 for those age 16 and older, $5 for kids between 6 and 15, and free for children under age 5. Senior citizens 55 and over, disabled guests, and service members also receive free admission into the fair.

Charles County Fair

When: Sept. 15-18

Where: Charles County Fairgrounds (8400 Fairground Road, La Plata)

Guests at the Charles County Fair can expect a lineup of country and R&B music. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 11 and younger. Season passes are also available for $12.

Howard County Fair

When: Aug. 6-13

Where: Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship)

Howard County Fair features pig races, pony rides and magic shows. A "Kids and Critters" Barn will be open for children to pet and observe furry animals. Tickets go for $5 for adults, free for children under 10 and $2 for seniors 62 and older.

Great Frederick Fair

When: Sept. 16-24

Where: Frederick Fairgrounds (797 East Patrick Street, Frederick)

The Great Frederick Fair will have performances from an array of musicians, including Vince Gill and Foreigner. The fair will also host a crafting contest and an antique vehicle show. Admission $5 for those older than 11; children younger than 11 can enter for free.

St. Mary's County Fair

When: Sept. 22-25

Where: St. Mary's County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown)

Guests at St. Mary's County Fair can watch the Queen of Tolerance be crowned. There will also be a ton of agricultural competitions and horse pulls. Tickets for adults are $5, tickets for children 6 to 12 are $1, and tickets for children under 6 are free. Season passes are also available.

Washington County Fair

When: July 16-23

Where: Washington County Agricultural Education Center (7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro)

The Washing County Fair will have all the typical fair activities -- a carnival, animal exhibits, bull riding and demoltion derby. Admission is free for kids 5 and under and $3 for everyone else.

VIRGINIA:

Arlington County Fair

When: Aug. 17-21

Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 Second St., Arlington)

This is the fair to go to if you don't have a car, since it's accessible via several Metrobuses and a shuttle from the Ballston Metro. The fair also offers a bike valet. (And, in fact, there's no space for car parking.) You can learn about the life of a dairy cow, enjoy a show by the Harlem wizards and watch piglets race to the finish line, among plenty of other activities. Submit your photos of the fair to the daily photo contest for a chance to win a prize pack to the 2017 fair. Admission is free.

Fairfax County 4H Fair and Carnival

When: Aug. 4-7

Where: Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon)

A classic county fair awaits in Fairfax County with loads of fried food, carnival rides, farm animals and tractor pulls. The folk rock Will Overman Band will perform a concert after the first day of the fair on Thursday night. Admission is free and parking is $7.

Fauquier County Fair

When: July 13-16

Where: Fauquier Fairgrounds (629 Old Auburn Rpad, Warrenton)

The Fauquier County Fair says it's "Shaking It Up" this summer with an entirely new fair schedule. If you're feeling competitive, try the pie-eating contest, the watermelon seed-spitting competition or the cornhole contest. If you're looking for old-fashioned fair fun, head to the barns to see lots of livestock, including cows, miniature horses and rabbits. Neal McCoy, the Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year, will perform Saturday night. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Loudoun County Fair

When: July 25-30

Where: Loudoun County Fairgrounds (17758 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg)

Enjoy a livestock obstacle course, an Oreo-stacking contest and a rabbit hopping competition at the Loudoun County Fair. The fair will offer discounted tickets on several days. On Tuesday, first responders can enter for free; on Wednesday, kids are admitted for $1 until 4 p.m.; on Thursday, anyone 65 or older can enter for free until 4 p.m., and on Friday, a family of four or more can enter for $5 each until 4 p.m. Regular admission is $13 for adults and $5 for kids. 

Prince William County Fair

When: Aug. 12-20

Where: Prince William County Fairgrounds (10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas)

Tons of events and activities make the Prince William County Fair the largest in the state. Check out the cutest baby contest, marvel at statues carved with a chainsaw and take the chance to touch a sting ray. Each day of the fair features tons of daytime activities followed by a concert most evenings. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children if you buy them in advance through July 31.

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