County fairs are a summertime essential pretty much everywhere, and the DMV is no exception. Celebrate with tons of food, unusual contests, live entertainment and carnival rides all summer long.
Read on for D.C.-area festivities happening through September (and note that more fairs will be added as we get information):
THE DISTRICT
When: Sept. 8
Where: Gateway DC (St. Elizabeth's East, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE)
For a decade now, the D.C. State Fair has brought together showcases of agriculture, talent and more (although don't expect carnival rides at this one). Past events have featured a pet parade and contests for best homebrew, best donuts and best mumbo sauce. Stay tuned for more on this year's event.
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Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
MARYLAND
When: July 13-20
Where: Allegany County Fairgrounds (11490 Moss Ave., Cumberland)
Fireworks, rides and performances by Tracy Lawrence and LANCO are on the schedule for the Allegany County Fair this year. Concert tickets start at $23 for Tracy Lawrence and $33 for LANCO.
When: Sept. 12-15
Where: Charles County Fairgrounds (8400 Fairground Road, La Plata)
You can expect old-fashioned fun like pig races, antique tractor displays, lawnmower racing and a carnival full of rides. Fun for kids includes clowns, a farm and a "driving" school.
When: Sept. 13-21
Where: Frederick Fairgrounds (797 East Patrick St., Frederick)
The Great Frederick Fair has hosted landscaping competitions, cake auctions, garden and farm demos and more. Explore agricultural exhibits, meet up with farm animals and watch antique car and carriage parades.
When: Aug. 3-10
Where: Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship)
The Howard County Fair will feature family-friendly fun, horse and pony shows, a magic show, square dancing demo and baked goods auction. Rock, oldies and Motown bands will play in the evenings.
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
When: Aug. 9-17
Where: Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds (501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD)
You'll find it all here: dizzying rides, fried stuff and agricultural exhibits featuring everything from rabbits to cows to goats, plus arts and crafts for sale.
When: Sept. 5-8
Where: Show Place Arena (14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro)
Enjoy the carnival rides, compete for best jam in the county and pet farm animals at the Prince George's County Fair.
When: July 13-20
Where: Washington County Agricultural Education Center (7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro)
The Washington County Fair hosts a carnival, bull riding, truck and tractor pulls and more. You'll also find live music, demolition derby and plenty more fun.
VIRGINIA
When: Aug. 14-18
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center (3501 2nd St. S., Arlington)
Enjoy rides, check out prize-winning crafts, shops arts and crafts vendors, and chow down on classic fair food at the Arlington County Fair, which -- in addition to the D.C. "State" Fair -- is the only other (somewhat) Metro-accessible fair on this list. Although there's no public parking available at the fair, shuttle buses will run from various locations in Arlington.
Fairfax County 4H Fair and Carnival
When: Aug. 2-5
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon)
Carnival rides, live entertainment, tractor pulls and farm animals await you at the Fairfax County 4H Fair and Carnival, held on the grounds of the quaint and charming Frying Pan Farm Park.
When: July 23-28
Where: Loudoun County Fairground (17758 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg)
Try out goat yoga, catch a hypnosis show or watermelon eating contest, play a few rounds of chicken poop bingo and more.
When: Aug. 9-17
Where: Prince William County Fairgrounds (10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas)
The Prince William County Fair bills itself as Virginia's largest. Enjoy all-day wine tastings, mechanical bull rides, Power Wheels Derby and a three-ring circus.
