Where do you get carnival rides and games, farm animals, the junk food gamut, live entertainment, pony rides, piglet races, and wares for sale all in one place? Down at the county fair. The season for them runs from early August through mid-September, and this post has the lowdown on this year’s events around the area. Happy Fairing!
Fairfax County Carnival & Fair
This annual 4-H fair is always a 4-day event that runs Thursday – Sunday at Frying Pan Farm Park, one of the DMV area’s most beloved parks. Enjoy carnival rides, amusements, treats, farm animal, rides and displays, tractor demos, more family fun, plus plenty of food and drink options. Note that Friday is Big Truck Night when kids can climb aboard big trucks, explore heavy equipment, and watch FCPA Mobile Crew demonstrations.
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When: July 30 – August 2, opens 10am, but closing and activity times vary by day, so be sure to check the schedule.
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Cost: Free admission, and you can prepay online by July 30 for $27/unlimited ride wristbands ($32 on site). Note there is also a $10 parking fee after 4pm on Friday through Sunday.
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Prince William County Fair
Virginia’s largest annual county fair includes 4-H exhibits, rides, contests (think pie eating and water balloon tossing), animal shows, craft demos, the Children’s Barn, Kid’s Zone, live performances, and more. Note that August 9 is Kid’s Friday when all admissions are $6. And there are other special days with all kinds of promos, so be sure to check the schedule for details.
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When: July 31 – August 8, and hours vary by day, so check the daily schedules.
Where: Prince William County Fairgrounds | 10624 Dumfries, Manassas, VA.
Cost: $26.50/adult, $15.90/kids. Advance sale ticket packages are available, so be sure to look for them on the website.
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Howard County Fair
The 80th annual fair started this past weekend, and you have through this coming Saturday to enjoy rides, magic shows, musical entertainment in the evenings, pig races and pony rides, the Kids & Critters barn, Demolition Derby, a pro rodeo, and more. Most of the rides cost extra, and packages are available, so be sure to check out the website to see what’s available if you plan to go.
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When: August 8-15, grounds open 8am – 10pm daily, though most exhibits open at 10am. Activity times vary, so be sure to check schedules.
Where: 2210 Fairground Road, West Friendship, MD
Cost: $10/ages 13+, $5/seniors, free for age 12 and under. Rides and games are extra. Unlimited ride wristbands are available.
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Arlington County Fair
We’ve been to this fair and have had a great time. It’s big enough for a fun-filled day, but not so huge that it’s overwhelming and you feel rushed to get to everything. There are carnival rides for everyone from toddlers to adults, and the kids especially loved the pony rides and piglet races when they were younger. You can also check out competitive exhibits, enjoy live entertainment, cheer on a variety of racing animals, view outdoor movies, and take little ones to the Kids’ Court for moon bouncing, face painting, and more. There’s also a beer garden for adults,
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When: August 12-16, hours vary by day, so check the schedule for specifics.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center | 3501 Second St., Arlington, VA. Get parking/shuttle information here.
Cost: Admission is FREE. But, of course, you need to buy tickets for rides and other activities when you’re there, and you can buy per ticket/credit. There is an online special of 72 ride tickets for $56.25 through 8/13.
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Montgomery County Fair
This fair is a family fave. (You can get a glimpse of one of our experiences there and read a review from a bunch of years ago), so trust me when I say that there is so much to do, you have to see the schedule on the website for yourself to get the full scope. Highlights include lots of 4-H exhibits and demos, including opportunities to visit with some of the animals; animal races, pony rides, a KidZone with interactive games and activities, tons of carnival and kiddie rides, arts & crafts, monster trucks and a demolition derby, and much more.
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When: August 14-22, times vary by day so check the website for specifics.
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds | 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD.
Cost: Admission starts at $17.15/online (until 8/10), $18/at gate for age 12+, free/11 & under. Tickets for rides cost extra. A one-day all-u-can-ride carnival wristband is available for $33.65/online until 8/10 ($32-40 on site), $27/foropening day, 8/14. And note that parking is $20 at the fairgrounds, but FREE parking and shuttle bus service are available from Montgomery College – Rockville Campus & Germantown Campus.
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Anne Arundel County Fair
Carnival rides and games, animal exhibits, monster trucks, pony rides, garden tractor pulls, pig races, pie eating contests, a talent show, live music and much more.
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When: September 16-20, check the website for hours.
Where: Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds | 1450 General’s Highway, Crownsville, MD
Cost: Admission is $10/age 10+ ($5 on 8/19), free/9 & under. Rides and games cost extra.
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The Great Frederick Fair
Rounding out the county fair season, this one in Frederick has many of the same offerings as the others, so if you can’t make it to a fair earlier in the season (or even if you can), keep this one on your radar. There are agricultural events, rides and games, live performances, Motorsports, a Kids Zone with free entertainment, and much more including concerts by Flo Rida, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Tracy Lawrence w/ Sara Evans, Beach Boys, Riley Green, and Casting Crowns.
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When: September 18-26, 4-10pm the first day, then 9am – 10pm daily
Where: Frederick Fairgrounds | 797 E Patrick Street, Frederick, MD
Cost: $10/advance, $15/gate for ages 11+. Free/age 10 & under. Tickets for rides and special activities/concerts are extra.
