State Fairs by State 2025
State | Fair Name | 2023 Start | 2023 End | Other Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alabama | Alabama National Fair | 10/06/23 | 10/15/23 | Petting zoo, rodeo, concerts |
 | Alaska | Alaska State Fair | 08/18/23 | 09/04/23 | Giant vegetables, lumberjack show, fireworks |
 | Arizona | Arizona State Fair | 09/22/23 | 10/29/23 | Haunted house, wine competition, carnival rides |
 | Arkansas | Arkansas State Fair | 10/13/23 | 10/22/23 | Concerts, livestock exhibitions, dino stroll, moogician |
 | California | California State Fair | 07/14/23 | 07/30/23 | Farm tours, horse racing, craft beer, California Counties Exhibit |
 | Colorado | Colorado State Fair | 08/25/23 | 09/04/23 | Rodeo, demolition derby, chile contest |
 | Connecticut | Durham Fair | 09/21/23 | 09/24/23 | Avenue of States, circus spectacular, cheese sculpture |
 | Delaware | Delaware State Fair | 07/20/23 | 07/29/23 | Harness racing, carnival games, ice cream |
 | Florida | Florida State Fair | 02/09/23 | 02/20/23 | Cracker Country, pig races, deep-fried Oreos |
 | Georgia | Georgia National Fair | 10/05/23 | 10/15/23 | Georgia Grown Building, livestock shows, concerts |
 | Hawaii | 50th State Fair | 05/26/23 | 07/09/23 | E.K. Fernandez Shows, petting zoo, fireworks |
 | Idaho | Western Idaho Fair | 08/18/23 | 08/27/23 | Idaho has several competing fairs, including the Eastern Idaho Sate Fair, North Idaho State Fair, and Heritage Days |
 | Illinois | Illinois State Fair | 08/10/23 | 08/20/23 | Butter cow, corn dogs, grandstand shows |
 | Indiana | Indiana State Fair | 07/28/23 | 08/20/23 | Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Bicentennial Pavilion, giant cheese sculpture, midway rides |
 | Iowa | Iowa State Fair | 08/10/23 | 08/20/23 | Butter cow, talent show, food on a stick |
 | Kansas | Kansas State Fair | 09/08/23 | 09/17/23 | Ye Old Mill, birthing center, butter sculpture |
 | Kentucky | Kentucky State Fair | 08/17/23 | 08/27/23 | World’s Championship Horse Show, blue ribbon pie contest, concerts |
 | Louisiana | Louisiana State Fair | 10/26/23 | 11/12/23 | Crawfish races, rodeo, carnival rides |
 | Maine | Bangor State Fair | 08/03/23 | 08/06/23 | Maine has approximately 25 annual agricultural fairs, including the Bangor State Fair, Skowhegan State Fair, and Waterford World's Fair, which run from mid-June to early October |
 | Maryland | Maryland State Fair | 08/24/23 | 09/10/23 | Closed Monday-Wednesday. Thus, 2023 dates are actually Aug. 24-27, Aug 31-Sept 4, and Sept 7-10....... |
 | Massachusetts | The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) | 09/15/23 | 10/01/23 | Avenue of States, circus spectacular, cheese sculpture |
 | Michigan | Michigan State Fair | 08/31/23 | 09/04/23 | Shrine Circus, urban agriculture, butter cow |
 | Minnesota | Minnesota State Fair | 08/24/23 | 09/04/23 | Giant slide, cheese curds, seed art |
 | Mississippi | Mississippi State Fair | 10/05/23 | 10/15/23 | Biscuit booth, rodeo, giant Ferris wheel |
 | Missouri | Missouri State Fair | 08/10/23 | 08/20/23 | Governor’s ham breakfast, mule show, corn dogs |
 | Montana | Montana State Fair | 07/28/23 | 08/05/23 | Big Sky Pro Rodeo, quilt show, funnel cakes |
 | Nebraska | Nebraska State Fair | 08/25/23 | 09/04/23 | Raising Nebraska exhibit, tractor pull, concerts |
 | Nevada | Nevada State Fair | 06/01/23 | 06/04/23 | Midway of fun, livestock shows, exhibits |
 | New Hampshire | Hopkinton State Fair | 08/31/23 | 09/04/23 | New Hampshire has multiple fairs, including the Hopkinton State Fair, the Granite Fair, and the Deerfield Fair |
 | New Jersey | New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show | 08/04/23 | 08/12/23 | Queen of the fair pageant, demolition derby, horse shows |
 | New Mexico | New Mexico State Fair | 09/07/23 | 09/17/23 | Note: Earlier sources indicated the fair's schedule to be Sept. 08-18, but the official website lists Sept. 7th as the start date. |
 | New York | The Great New York State Fair | 08/23/23 | 09/04/23 | Butter sculpture, sand sculpture, milk bar |
 | North Carolina | North Carolina State Fair | 10/12/23 | 10/22/23 | Village of Yesteryear, folk festival, ham biscuit |
 | North Dakota | North Dakota State Fair | 07/21/23 | 07/29/23 | Pride of Dakota showcase, carnival rides, concerts |
 | Ohio | Ohio State Fair | 07/26/23 | 08/06/23 | Butter cow and calf, giant slide, corn dogs |
 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State Fair | 09/14/23 | 09/24/23 | Disney on Ice, pig races, corn dogs |
 | Oregon | Oregon State Fair | 08/25/23 | 09/04/23 | Artisan’s Village, llama show, concerts |
 | Pennsylvania | The Great Allentown Fair | 08/30/23 | 09/04/23 | Pennsylvania has no official state fair, but has several that unofficially fit, including the Great Allentown Fair, the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, and the Kutztown Festival |
 | Rhode Island | Washington County Fair | 08/16/23 | 08/20/23 | Rhode Island has no official state fair, but the Washington County Fair unofficially fits the title |
 | South Carolina | South Carolina State Fair | 10/11/23 | 10/22/23 | FFA barnyard, sand sculpture, concerts |
 | South Dakota | South Dakota State Fair | 08/31/23 | 09/04/23 | Women’s Day program, beef cook-off, carnival rides |
 | Tennessee | Tennessee State Fair | 08/17/23 | 08/26/23 | Blue ribbon contests, midway games, concerts |
 | Texas | Texas State Fair | 09/29/23 | 10/22/23 | Big Tex statue, fried food contest, auto show |
 | Utah | Utah State Fair | 09/07/23 | 09/17/23 | Little Hands on the Farm, rodeo, concerts |
 | Vermont | Champlain Valley Fair | 08/15/23 | 08/19/23 | Maple sugar house, antique tractor pull, concerts |
 | Virginia | State Fair of Virginia | 09/22/23 | 10/01/23 | Giant pumpkin contest, milking parlor, concerts |
 | Washington | Washington State Fair | 09/01/23 | 09/24/23 | Rodeo, giant slide, scones |
 | West Virginia | State Fair of West Virginia | 08/11/23 | 08/20/23 | Livestock shows, carnival rides, concerts |
 | Wisconsin | Wisconsin State Fair | 08/03/23 | 08/13/23 | Cream puffs, pig slide, cheese curds |
 | Wyoming | Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo | 08/15/23 | 08/19/23 | Chuckwagon cook-off, rodeo, concerts |
What Is the Best State Fair in the Country?
Even though any ranking of state fairs is going to be a bit subjective, it is clear that there are some state fairs that are simply better than others. For example, one of the most popular state fairs in the country is the North Carolina State Fair. It is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is a part of the country that is rapidly growing. North Carolina has had a state fair for numerous decades, and it is a great opportunity for people to try some traditional fair food, enjoy a local music festival, and learn more about the tremendous livestock population in the state. It is a great location for family entertainment, providing attractions for people of all ages.
Does the Northeast Have Any Good State Fairs?
Even though the Northeastern United States is typically not associated with fairs, there are several hidden gems that might be worth exploring. For example, there are lots of people who love the New York State Fair. A lot of people think about New York City when they think about New York, but the state fair is actually located in Syracuse, New York. There are plenty of fun competitions, live music from famous artists, and even a celebrity milking contest. Do not forget to check out the New York Wine and Cheese Seminar, which is always a major highlight of the New York State Fair.
How Good Is the Texas State Fair?
If there is a state that is synonymous with state fairs, it is definitely Texas. The Texas State Fair is popular for deep-frying just about anything you can get your hands on. Sure, there are some foods that are probably meant to be deep-fried, but people are consistently surprised by just what tastes good after it has been dropped in the fryer. For example, deep-fried chocolate and deep-fried pumpkin tend to make an appearance at the Texas state fair every year. Furthermore, Texas has a wide variety of carnival rides at the state fair that are definitely worth exploring. These are just a few of the biggest reasons why people will drive from all over the country just to visit the State Fair in Texas.
Is the Minnesota State Fair Worth Checking Out?
The Minnesota State Fair, which is located in St Paul, Minnesota, is also worth visiting. There are dozens of activities at the Minnesota State Fair, ranging from river raft rides to an adventure park. There is also a slingshot, giant slide, turbo bungee, and climbing wall located at the Minnesota State Fair. There is even an arts fair every year, which gives everyone an opportunity to support some of the local artists. There are high-profile names that tend to perform at the fair as well. For example, Def Leppard, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban have made appearances at the Minnesota State Fair in the past. Of course, there are plenty of traditional, delicious fair foods to try.
