Fair season is almost here—these beloved events are worth the trip.
While there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy, we’re already looking ahead to the latter part of the season’s most anticipated traditions: fair season. Running from mid-August through late September, this beloved time of year blends the best of summer and fall with warm apple pies, sticky cotton candy, fresh funnel cakes, buzzer games, and plenty of farm animals.
County and state fairs have long been a cherished tradition across the country, with nearly every state—and many counties—hosting celebrations of their own. While we’d all like to think our hometown fair is the best, there’s no denying that some put up serious competition. Ahead, here are some of the biggest and best state fairs across the U.S.
The Minnesota State Fair
Better known as “The Great Minnesota Get Together,” the Minnesota State Fair is widely regarded as the largest in the country, drawing in an average of 1.8 million visitors each year. Despite its epic size, the event manages to maintain a small-town feel. Some of the event highlights are “The Miracle of Birth Center,” where visitors can see hundreds of piglets, lambs, and calves make their grand entrance into the world, and their expansive variety of skewered and fried treats, including cheese curds, corn dogs, and entire candy bars.
The State Fair of Texas
Texas is home to the longest-running fair in the nation! The event takes over Fair Park in Dallas for 24 consecutive days each year and boasts all the fried delicacies we know and love, including the original corn dog, fried butter, and the fairground classic—fried Oreos. In addition to the traditional fairground fare, the event also hosts the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma.
The Iowa State Fair
Each year, Des Moines hosts one of the largest agricultural expositions in the country at the Iowa State Fair. Renowned for inventing the pork chop on a stick, the event is also known for hosting hundreds of blue-ribbon competitions in the cattle, pie, quilting, and classic large vegetable categories. If the plethora of prizes isn’t enough to draw you in, perhaps the Butter Cow can beckon you. For 115 years, hundreds of pounds of butter have been used to sculpt a life-sized cow sculpture just for the event.
The Big E
Formerly known as the Eastern States Exposition, all six New England states come together to put on The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts. In addition to its reputation as the only multi-state fair in the country, the event offers daily parades, classic carnival rides, and giant cream puffs, and, in a true showcase of stately pride, features the iconic Avenue of States, a row of one-third-scale replicas of each state’s original capitol building.
Durham Fair, Connecticut
The Durham Fair is Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair and one of the largest volunteer-run fairs in North America. For just one weekend, the event features classic horse and oxen pulls in addition to monster truck rallies and brings the best beer, wine, and cider in the state to a dedicated tasting booth.
The California State Fair
There’s more to California than just sandy shores and boardwalks. The California State Fair is known as one of the oldest and largest in the country, boasting all the charming characteristics of the quintessential state fair, including blue ribbon prizes, petting zoos, and interactive exhibits showcasing the state’s rich farming roots. A functioning monorail totes guests around the event, which also features live culinary competitions and a showcase of California-crafted wine and beer.
The Alaska State Fair
The fairgrounds in Palmer, Alaska, are nestled right at the feet of the Chugach Mountains, earning the Alaska State Fair a reputation as one of the most scenic. The event is known for setting world records as massive cabbages, turnips, and pumpkins converge in the shadows of the mountain peaks to compete for first prize.
The Arizona State Fair
The Arizona State Fair in Phoenix may not be known for sweeping mountain views, but what it lacks in peaks it makes up for with a diverse food scene. Over 1 million visitors get the chance to enjoy the cultured fare, which includes the viral chamoy pickle. The event is particularly famous for hosting some serious musical talent. Past guests have included The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, and Nirvana.
The New York State Fair
New York hosts the oldest continuous state fair in the United States, launching The Great New York State Fair in 1841. The event is famous for classic food offerings, including quarter-a-cup milk, dollar-a-piece massive baked potatoes, and classic Italian sausage sandwiches. Like Iowa, the event also unveils a life-sized butter sculpture to kick off the event each year, though New York’s rendition lacks a hallmark theme.
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