Can't-Miss Experiences at the State Fair in All 50 States

Buy your tickets at the gate and discover the most fun and unique things to see and do at the state fair in each of the 50 states. Follow the scents of cotton candy and buttered popcorn, let the kids hop on a vintage water ride or an "invader" spacecraft and then head for the exhibits and events that make each state unique. Maybe you'll see mounted cowboys firing guns in a rodeo show, sample sugary Portuguese pastries, root for your favorite porker in a pig race or explore an authentic, turn-of-the-century village.

Most state fairs entertain visitors with games and carnival rides on a Midway, and candied apples and corn dogs are fair-food staples. But it's the differences between the fairs that make them fun and educational. You won't see Plains Indians performing traditional dances in every state or birthing barns with new-born calves. Want to watch a lumberjack show, a kids' tractor pull or talk to a 14-foot-tall animatronic bear? You might see a 500-pound cow made out of butter, eat a lobster roll or watch a monster truck demolish a schoolbus.

To keep the state fairs in alphabetical order, we've shown them by the way most readers will look for them and, for some fairs, by their official names. For example, the Virginia State Fair is also shown as the State Fair of Virginia. Before you go, check each fair's website to confirm dates, prices and attractions, all of which are subject to change.

Read on to find the can't-miss attractions at your state fair, or make plans to visit a fair in another state and discover something new.

Alabama has two state fairs. The 2025 spring fair is over, but the fall Alabama State Fair is scheduled for Sept. 12-21, 2025; check the website periodically for updates. Both fairs are held at the Birmingham Race Course in Birmingham. While plans are still underway for the fall fair, it’s expected to offer attractions like Jurassic Lockdown, a cool dinosaur show for kids, and the Rastelli Circus, featuring acrobats and aerialists who put on a breathtaking, family-friendly show alongside juggling acts, silly clowns and more. Don't miss one of the biggest draws at the fair, the ever-popular, very funny Banana Derby. It features Capuchin monkeys — the kind that used to accompany organ grinders — dressed in colorful costumes riding dogs. Alabamans really like to have fun; there's also Greater Gulf State Fair in Mobile from Oct. 24-Nov. 2, 2025 and a North Alabama State Fair in Muscle Shoals from Sept. 8-14, 2025.

Ferris wheels are a mainstay of most state fairs, but the view from the Eli Ferris wheel at the Alaska State Fair is truly spectacular. As you're carried up, you'll see panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains, including stunning Pioneer and Twin Peaks. The fair, held in Palmer, runs from August 15-Sept. 1, 2025, and because the summer days in Alaska are so long, you can enjoy the sights into the evening. After your breathtaking ride, admire the record-breaking pumpkins, cabbages and other giant produce that represent the state's agricultural scene; many Alaskans hold world record titles for the gigantic veggies they’ve raised under the midnight sun. Be sure to sample delicious Alaskan dishes like deep-fried halibut and salmon chowder in between all the musical concerts, art exhibits, exciting carnival rides and cultural performances. This annual fair is the largest event in the state.

The birthday cake milkshakes are irresistible at the Arizona State Fair, so why try? Billed as two fairs and one event, visit on Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 19-28, 2025 or again on Thursdays through Sundays on Oct. 2-26, 2025, at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Save room for some of the fair's other unique foods, like a chamoy pickle, a sweet, spicy, tangy jumbo dill stuffed with spaghetti chamoy candy, wrapped in a Fruit Roll-Up and drenched in chamoy. (Chamoy is a Mexican flavoring and condiment.) The milkshake, shown here, is made with cake batter ice cream and sprinkles and topped with a Funfetti cupcake. Another outrageous, delish treat: the Double Trouble Cone, two ice cream cones double-dripped in chocolate and creamy caramel and topped with crunchy caramel kettle corn. When you're not snacking, catch a musical concert, a monster truck show, a figure-8 race or rodeo and ride the top-of-the-line rides.

Over half a million visitors are expected to pass through the gates to the 85th Arkansas State Fair, which runs from Oct. 10-19, 2025. Located in Little Rock, it’s the biggest and most historic event in the state. On October. 11-13, crowds will head to the Bank OZK Concert Series in the Barton Coliseum to hear some of the hottest country, rock and urban music around, from artists like Stephen Pearcy of RATT, Dru Hill and Chase Rice. The free attractions make this fair lots of fun; look for performances by entertainers from America’s Got Talent, the Great American Pig Races, exciting acrobatics from performers across the world and daring high dive shows.

The annual California State Fair celebrates the state's culture, industries and people and opens in Sacramento from July 11-27, 2025. For its 171st year, the fair's theme, "Times Like These," will take a nostalgic look at California's history, but visitors will also find plenty of modern technology, pop culture and more to enjoy. Two new thrill rides will make their debut: the Invader, which simulates an alien invasion, and The Soundwave, a two-tiered platform with dazzling lights that rises and makes circles in the air. The Invader, shown here, towers 45 feet high and spins riders at a centrifugal force-inducing 24 RPM. Both are designed to give you an extreme adrenaline rush.

Fairgoers love fair foods, and visitors to the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, scheduled for Aug. 22 to Sept 1, 2025, can chow down on a unique treat: the Slopper. This staple of Colorado cuisine consists of a quarter pound of Colorado ground beef topped with a slice of cheese, served on a bottom bun and smothered in green chili made from Colorado chiles. A yearly competition gives contestants eight minutes to consume as many Sloppers as they can; the record, set in 2020, was 37.5 Sloppers. Pueblo also hosts an annual Slopper Tour that lets participants sample Sloppers at area restaurants and vote for their favorite (see the website for the date). Don't miss Fiesta Day at the fair on Aug. 31, 2025, a celebration of the state’s Hispanic culture and heritage that features a parade, Mariachi bands, and dancers in traditional Mexican-style dresses. There's also the Celebracion de los Charros with traditional Mexican food, skilled riders and Folklorico dancers.

Connecticut doesn't have an official state fair, but it does host several well-known agricultural fairs. The Durham Fair is considered the largest one in the state, and in 2025, it will celebrate its 105th anniversary from Sept. 25 to 28 on the fairgrounds in Durham. Visitors can enjoy close-up encounters with over 1,000 animals ranging from dairy goats to beef cattle, rabbits, sheep, llamas and pigs. Giant pumpkins and other produce, fruits, flowers and more will be on display in six exhibit halls as growers compete for over $100,000 in prize money. There's more to see and do: an animal costume parade, a balloon stomp, pie-eating contests and live music. Volunteer fire department personnel will sell chowder bowls while the United Churches of Durham hand-squeeze limes to make the fair's refreshing, trademark beverage, the Lime Rickey.

Held in Harrington, the Delaware State Fair will offer all kinds of entertainment, from carnival rides to rodeos, demolition derbies, livestock displays and horticultural exhibits when it opens from July 17-26, 2025. One special attraction at this event — and a perennial fan favorite — is the pig race. The Hollywood Racing Pigs are five little piggies that trot as fast as they can around a track. Meanwhile, onlookers designated as “pig rooters” cheer for their assigned porker. Past piggies have included Snoop Hoggy Hog, Kevin Bacon and Britney Spare Ribs. Check the website for dates and times of the races. Catch the nightly concerts at the grandstand, too; this year, they'll include big-name performers like Big & Rich, Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and T.I.

Always held in February, and always in Tampa, the Florida State Fair welcomes visitors to the city’s only outdoor living history museum. Tucked under century-old live oaks, the museum, called Cracker Country, represents how people from different cultures lived and worked in rural Florida in the late 19th Century. Be sure to see artisans and craftspeople demonstrate soap making, basket-weaving, sugar cane grinding, leatherworking, broom making and more. Docents in period costumes will help guests explore the 13 historical structures on the grounds and let them try activities like dipping beeswax candles and dying material with real indigo. You'll find rides on the Midway, delicious foods to eat and lively entertainment, including authentic Bluegrass music. The next Florida State Fair will be held on Feb. 5-16, 2026.

Despite its name, the Georgia National Fair is the state-sponsored, official fair of Georgia. What's the main reason more than 500,000 people attend every year? Organizers say it's the food. The fair, held in Perry, kicks food up a notch with its Fair Food Fight. This fun competition challenges chefs and cooks to whip up creative foods that range from deep-fried dishes to gourmet treats. Judges crown a favorite sweet and savory concoction; fairgoers get to sample them, too, and vote for a Fair Fan Favorite. Named a “Top 20 Event for October” by the Southeast Tourism Society 15 times, the fair is scheduled for Oct. 2-12, 2025. In the evenings, it's an unmissable destination for live music, with concerts that range from country music to rock and R&B.

Hawaii won't have an official state fair in 2025 because its venue, Aloha Stadium, is being demolished. A new entertainment district is scheduled for completion in 2043, and a new stadium is expected to be ready by football season in 2028. In the meantime, the Punaho Carnival, a tradition in Hawai'i since 1932, took its place and was held in February of 2025. The carnival is expected to return in 2026 with its usual rides, games, art exhibits and more; see the website to confirm the dates. Food is a highlight of the carnival, like the malasadas shown here. They're soft, deep-fried, sugar-coated pastries made from a recipe imported from Portugal, and they're fair favorites. Teri burgers, mango chutney and Portuguese bean soup are among other unusual delights. The carnival is held on the campus of the Punahou School in Honolulu and the Junior class typically selects the theme. Proceeds help keep the school accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Like some other large states, Idaho has more than one state fair. Boise will host the Aug. 15-24, 2025 Western Idaho Fair. Held at the Expo Idaho venue, it will emphasize Idaho's agriculture and ranching. Come for the exhibits of arts and crafts, quilting, woodworking and more, and don't miss the petting zoo where visitors can do more than pet the animals; they can learn how to milk a cow or rope a steer. One iconic fair food you shouldn’t miss? The ice cream potato, shown here. No, it’s not a real spud; it's crafted from vanilla ice cream and coated in a cocoa powder "skin." Some vendors top it with butter (yellow frosting) and chives (green sprinkles). Idaho hosts two more state fairs each year. The Eastern Idaho State Fair, in Blackfoot, opens its gates from Aug. 29-Sept. 6, 2025, with food, contests, livestock exhibits, free entertainment and more. In Coeur d’Alene, the North Idaho State Fair will welcome visitors from Aug. 15-24, 2025 with motorsports, a lumberjack show and rodeo performances, among other attractions.

Over its 11-day run, the Illinois State Fair expects to entertain more than 700,000 visitors with arena events like tractor pulls, a rodeo, the Illinois State Fair Championship Demolition Derby and performances in the Grandstand by big-name artists like Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg and Brad Paisley. Be sure to stop in the fair’s Coliseum, built in 1901 and renowned for its equestrian events. Watch the harness races at the racetrack, said to be one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world; admission is free and there's parimutuel wagering. The 2025 fair runs from Aug. 7-17 in Springfield, Illinois; see the website for the dates of the harness races.

From Aug. 1-17, 2025 you can time travel at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center in Indianapolis. You'll see beautiful historical architecture at this sixth-oldest state fair in the U.S., including the Farmers Coliseum, built in 1939, and a Pioneer Village that looks as if it came right out of the 1800s. Indulge your appetite with fair foods like breaded pork tenderlion sandwiches and visit the interactive exhibits about Indiana's industries and culture. Stay for a fiddle contest, antique tractor show and more. Shown here: fairgoers trying their hands at quilting in the Pioneer Village.

It's said that the Iowa State Fair inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical of State Fair, as well as three movies: one in 1933, 1945 and 1962. This internationally acclaimed event in Des Moines attracts over a million people each year from all over the world and is often ranked as a top U.S. event. When it opens from Aug. 7-17, 2025, catch a ride on Ye Olde Mill (a water ride built in 1921 and one of only three still around), slip down the Giant Slide and treat yourself to any of 60+ foods served on a stick, including pork chops and corn dogs. Don't miss the famous Butter Cow, shown here. The cow dates to 1911, and it's made from approximately 600 pounds of butter that can be reused for up to 10 years. Visitors line up to see the buttery bovine, which measures about 5 1/2 feet tall and 8 feet long, in a cooler kept at 40 degrees F.

The Sunflower State's farming heritage takes center stage at the Kansas State Fair. Held annually in Hutchinson, the fair runs from Sept. 5-14, 2025. One unique event that's near and dear to fairgoers' hearts is the Wild Horse Youth Challenge. It's a program that pairs young trainers with yearling Mustangs every year in May. The trainers work with their once-feral animals for just over 100 days and come back on the last weekend of the fair to show how their horses have become well-trained companions. Later, the mustangs can be adopted by the trainers’ families or auctioned to the public and find new homes. There are also livestock shows, crop exhibits, 4-H competitions, a Kids' Tractor Pull, a Mutton Bustin' event, competitions and more, as well as popular fair treats like Apple Dumplings and bierocks, a sweet yeast bun filled with ground beef, cabbage and onions.

Most people think of the Kentucky Derby when the Bluegrass State comes to mind, but it’s also home to the American Saddlebred, Kentucky’s only native horse. The 121st Kentucky State Fair is slated for Aug. 14-24, 2025 in Louisville; during its run, fairgoers can experience the World's Championship Horse Show on Aug. 16-23, 2025. Be sure to also catch the Pork Chop Revue, previously featured on America’s Got Talent, with pigs that jump hurdles, dance and "sing" with other barnyard animals. Farmers will exhibit watermelons and pumpkins and compete to win for growing the biggest, heaviest melon or other produce. Another fun attraction: exhibits of imaginative, miniature worlds, like Harry Potter’s world. With 1.2 million square feet of indoor space, this is the largest indoor fair in the U.S. Hundreds of outdoor acres offer even more exhibits and events, like 4-H competitons and demonstrations of Border Collies herding birds.

The 119th State Fair of Louisiana opens in Shreveport from Oct. 30-Nov. 16, 2025. Visitors can watch the finals of the LRCA (Louisiana Rodeo and Cowboys Association) rodeo and see the largest livestock show in the state, among other attractions, but the fair's don't-miss experience might just be its 55 state-of-the-art rides. Planners are working to make this year's fair feel like an amusement park in a big city, complete with a grand entrance display, thousands of colorful LED lights, color-coordinated tents for food and games and beautiful landscaping throughout the grounds. The Big Kahuna, shown here, carries riders in swinging vehicles that move up and down hills and valley on a track and can run in reverse. Fun fact: the Fairgrounds' Hirsch has to urge fans to go home after the concert. Fairgoers probably won't want to go home after the fair, either.

Instead of a single state fair, Maine has a series of agricultural fairs from June to October. The Fryeburg Fair is one of the largest and best known and runs from Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2025. This annual event has been called “Maine’s Blue Ribbon Classic” for featuring horse pulls, livestock shows, sheep dog trials, skillet and anvil throwing competitions and more. If time is short, don't miss the Woodsman’s Field Day and the calf scramble. The Field Day pits contestants from all over the country against each other in 28 woods-related events, like axe throwing, tree felling and buck sawing (using both hands to cut wood with a frame or bow saw). In the calf scramble, members of Maine's 4-H clubs chase calves around an arena. They "win" a calf when they're able to catch it with a rope halter. They raise the calf for a year — at their own expense for food, vet care and other needs — to learn about the livestock industry. They return to the fair the following year to show their prized animal.

Celebrating its 144th anniversary, the Maryland State Fair will be held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. It runs for three weekends in 2025: Thursday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 24; Thursday, Aug. 28-Monday, Sept. 1 and Thursday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 7. Ready for a hair-raising event? Enter the fair’s Mullet Madness Hair Competition, a big hit that debuted in 2024. Visitors with mullet haircuts go head-to-head, so to speak, to be the “mane” attraction and win prizes. See the website for the date of the 2025 contest and details on entering. Not into hair? Catch the Mallet New Fair Food Competition, where foodies compete for bragging rights, prizes and a flag to mark the winning food stand. Last year, a strawberry-flavored iced tea won “Best Sweet Item.” Turkey and stuffing waffles topped with homemade maple bourbon cranberry sauce won in the best savory/most creative category. There’s plenty to do even if you don’t have retro hair or a craving for something unique and delicious. Don’t miss live Thoroughbred horse racing (available for 7 days during the fair; see the dates on the website), and the Horseland Education Tent, open throughout the Fair.

Can you visit all six New England states in a day? You can at The Big E, held in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the closest event the state has to an official state fair. The Big E showcases the best-known sights, tastes, crafts and more in each New England state in the too-awesome-to-miss Avenue of States. That's where you'll find a full-scale replica of each state’s original statehouse, complete with authentic, state-specific foods, beverages, products and more. Sample the Maine lobster rolls and cranberries in the Maine replica, the Rhode Island clam cakes and the Massachusettes sweet-tasting egg panckes. Try the Vermont cheddar cheese, New Hampshire maple syrup and apple cider or Connecticut’s craft beers. This is the fourth-largest, fair-like event in North America and the largest on the East Coast. The Big E is open from Sept. 12-28, 2025.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula State Fair is held annually in Escanaba and draws over 100,000 visitors from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and points beyond. A showcase for the region's farming and forestry, it's home to the unique Miracle of Life Pavilion, one of the most popular attractions at the fair; visitors can witness the live births of calves, lambs and piglets and see chicks, ducks and baby quails (also called chicks) hatch before their eyes. Veterinary students and staff are on hand to answer questions and keep an eye on the newborns. There are exciting demolition derbies, rodeos and motorsports in the grandstand and exhibits of produce, livestock and handcrafted items. Indulge in an authentic Upper Peninsula pastry, like the elephant ears shown here. The fair is planned for Aug. 11-17, 2025.

The Minnesota State Fair has two fun and unique attractions for visitors: an exhibit of crop art, crop arrangements and scarecrows that's one of the most sought-out displays at the fair, and butter sculptures in the Dairy Building. For the butter display, a sculptor carves twelve 90-pound blocks of butter to resemble Princess Kay of the Milky Way and her court (Princess Kay and her attendants are chosen each year to serve as ambassadors for the state's dairy farmers). The fair will take place from Aug. 21-Sept. 1 midway between Minneapolist and St. Paul, on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It's the largest one in the country if you go by daily attendance, with 1,925,094 people visiting in 2024 . In comparison, the Texas State Fair is the largest by the total number of fairgoers — but it runs twice as long.

Can you pass up a homemade biscuit? Visitors to the Mississippi State Fair can't, and why should they? The Mississippi Biscuit Booth is a fair favorite that serves free, hot, homemade biscuits every day during the fair's run. Sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the biscuits, made with local ingredients, are an example of Southern hospitality and the state's agriculture heritage. Even better — they're often served with syrup, honey or jelly. The booth is located in Fronter Village, a Western-themed area where you'll also find rodeo events like the Taste of Dixie National Rodeo, live entertainment and interactive exhibits. Held annually for 165 years, the fair runs from Oct. 2-13, 2025 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson.

The Missouri State Fair's main focus is on Youth in Agriculture. Kids can exhibit all kinds of livestock, and its emphasis on families has made the fair an annual tradition that often attracts multiple generations. Visitors also flock to see exhibits like Otto the Talking Car, the MoDot Highway Gardens, blacksmith demonstrations, motorsports events and more. The fairgrounds, located in Sedalia and one of the oldest in the nation, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its examples of Art Deco, Misson Revival and Romanesque Revival architecture, among other styles.

The fair's newest claim to fame is its Gov. Michael L. Parson Arena, which is expected to be completed in 2026. The 150,000-square-foot arena will be a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled venue that hosts national and regional events, as well as the state fair. In 2025, the fair runs from Aug. 7-17.

Talk about unique. Try a kind of deep-fried meatball on a stick called the Viking, a food made by the Sons of Norway at the Montana State Fair. That’s about the only time of year you can get this fair food favorite, where its been served for 50 years. Don't miss the rodeos and bull riding either, or the live horse racing that allows betting. If the Viking doesn’t sound like your style, pick up a cowpie (not that kind; the local favorite is the Buckin’ Bronco, a deep-fried hamburger with BBQ sauce and bacon bits). The fair takes place from July 25-Aug. 2, 2025 at Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls.

Watch a colorful parade of tractors wind through the fairgrounds at the Nebraska State Fair, scheduled to open in Grand Island from Aug. 22- Sept. 1, 2025. The line-up celebrating the state's agricultural heritage will be just one don't-miss event; marching bands, floats and performers will add to the sights, sounds and fun. Held annually in Fonner Park, the fair showcases farmers and ranchers in exciting equine shows and competitions. Need more? Register for Llama Yoga, watch the bullriders and bullfighters or race in the Nebraska State Fair Marathon, which includes foot races, push-rim wheelchair races, handcycle races and other races for the entire family. See website for dates and times of the marathon and other special events and attractions during the fair.

Unlike many state fairs that focus on agriculture, the Nevada State Fair is akin to a high-energy carnival. Held in the state's capital, Carson City, this free-to-the-public event is packed with family fun, rides, games and classic fair foods. Mark your calendar for the 2025 fair on June 5-8 and bring the family. This event's unique appeal is its setting in charming Mills Park, located at 1111 E. William Street. The park's open lawn area invites people to bring picnic blankets and toss Frisbees, and you never know what kind of entertainers might show up, like the fire handler shown here. For the little ones, there's a small train ride that encircles part of the park.

Be ready for deafening cheers from the crowd and some crash and smash action on the track at the family-friendly Hopkinton State Fair in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. The Demolition Derby is a "don’t-miss" event on Saturday and Sunday during the fair, which runs from Aug. 28 -Sept. 1, 2025. Drivers navigate the track to try to avoid damaging their cars so they can win the heat and make it into the finals for big prize money. This event almost always sells out, so get your tickets early. Another must-see: the Disc-Connected K9s, world-famous Frisbee-catching dogs. These talented canine athletes thrill fairgoers with their speed, agility and precision; they're under the direction of skilled handlers. See the website for the dates and times of these special events and attractions.

Held annually in the Garden State's Skylands region in Sussex County, the next New Jersey State Fair is set for Aug. 1-9, 2025. What's unique about this fair? It's all about horses, horses and life on horse farms. That may surprise you if you didn't know that New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other state — and it's the most densely populated state in the country, with over 9 million residents living within 7,000 square miles. It's also home to more than 4,000 horse farms, and the U.S. Equesterian Team is based in Gladstone. Not surprisingly, the horse is the state's official animal. Visit the Horse Show area at the fairgrounds and enjoy homesteading exhibits of baking, canning, beekeeping and other activities.

If you're a fan of green chiles, you'll be a fan of the New Mexico State Fair. Known as the Land of Enchantment, this state grows more chile peppers than any other state in the U.S., so these slightly smoky/spicy-tasting treats play a big role everywhere. If you’re lucky enough to get a ballot at the fair, you can sample green chile cheeseburgers and vote in a competion for the restaurant that makes the best. After you chow down, or if you pass on these culinary favorites, be sure to see the Fair’s cultural villages: Villa Hispana, Indian Village and the African-American Pavilion. Each one celebrates the state’s diverse cultures with foods (think frybread, Navajo tacos and mutton ribs), music (ranging from mariachis to live African-American gospel, jazz and blues), dances (Ballet Folklorico, Zuni dancers and more), arts and more. The fair is slated to take place in Albuquerque from Sept. 4-14, 2025.

Fairs that showcase their state's agriculture love to feature butter cows; there's one at the Great New York State Fair as well as other state fairs on our list. Raise a cup of perfectly chilled New York milk to help the state celebrate its agricultural roots; it'll only cost you a quarter. The fair is scheduled to run from Aug. 20-Sept. 1, 2025 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. It's has been consistently named one of the top five state fairs in the nation, and it's also one of the most affordable; an $8 ticket includes top-notch musical performances. See newborn calves come into the world at the Dairy Cow Birthing Center, and don't miss four exhibits that embody the state's diverse cultures: the Asian Village, Indian Village, Pan African Village and Latino Village.

In 2024, almost a million visitors came to the North Carolina State Fair, which returns to Raleigh on Oct. 16-26, 2025. Since the state ranks eighth in the U.S. for agricultural production, the fair proudly focuses on its agriculture and agribusinesses. Drop in at the Dorton Arena, an architectural landmark where you can grab a craft beer, wine or cider in the NC Public House; nicknamed the “potato chip,” this arena was the first structure in the world to use a cable-supported roof. Don't miss the Village of Yesteryear, where more than 75 artists, potters, weavers, basket makers and other craftspeople will demonstrate their skills and sell their wares. Before you call it a day, soar above the midway on the State Fair Flyer, a ten-minute chair-lift ride that takes you almost 45 feet above the ground. If you're not driving, add to the fun by getting to the fair — and going home — on Amtrak. Trains deposit passengers at the gate from Raleigh, Durham, Cary and other locations.

Music fans, this one's for you. The North Dakota State Fair boasts a star-studded line-up of concerts with big-name artists from a variety of musical genres, like Luke Bryant, Jelly Roll, Sawyer Brown and limpbizkit. Along with the ticketed concerts, you'll find free entertainment from local talents, comedians and other performers. Scheduled to run from July 18-26, 2025, in Minot, it will also offer bull riding, bull fighting, team roping, a draft horse hitch show, a pony pull and cowboys and cowgirls competing in typical ranch chores like wild cow milking and trailer loading. When you hear engines revving up, head to the grandstand for a demolition derby.

If you can't make it to see the famous Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair, join the queue to see another legendary one — the cow at the Ohio State Fair, which will run from July 23-Aug. 3, 2025. Held in Columbus, the fair partners with the American Dairy Association Mideast to display the cow and her calf; they're made from expired butter, so there's no waste. After your cow encounter, head over to Ohio’s Natural Resources Park, known as the fair's best-kept secret. It's an 8-acre oasis with native plants and flowers, a kayaking pond, daily lumberjack shows and more. Look for another icon there: the 14-foot-tall animatronic Smokey Bear that greets fairgoers by name.

Go through the split-rail fencing at the Oklahoma State Fair, and you might think you've landed in the Wild West. From Sept. 11-21, 2025, the fair invites visitors to explore the state's agricultural and ranching history through a unique interactive attraction called the Oklahoma Frontier Experience. You'll see trick riders, mounted shooters, whip cracking demos, stunt riders and more and learn more about the culture of the state's Native American tribes, like the Plains Indians shown here. At night, catch musical performances on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage. Indulge in a pizza-on-a-stick and ride North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel at Sky Eye Park. Gondolas take riders up to 155 feet high, where they can often see as far as 15 miles away. This annual fair, held on the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, draws approximately 900,000 guests.

Mark your calendar to visit the Oregon State Fair in Salem when it opens from Aug. 22-Sept. 1, 2025. Plan to come back on Aug. 29, 2065 — yes, 40 years later — when a time capsule placed in Cascade Hall in 1965 will be opened to commemorate the fair's 100th anniversary. Wondering how to spend four decades while you wait? Head to the fair's Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest, one of it's sweetest, most decadent and popular traditions, named in honor of the late owner of a cake shop and restaurant. Burn off those calories when you cheer for the riders at the Hell on Hooves rodeo, where tagline is, "You gotta be tough just to watch" and see bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding and team roping. History buffs, stop by the fair's Historic Horse Stadium, built in 1919, and the 1921 Poultry Building ("Tough as an Old Bird"). Both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Talk about bragging rights; The York State Fair, held in York, Pennsylvania, dates back to 1765 and is known as America’s First Fair. It’s scheduled for July 18-27, 2025, which will be its 260th anniversary. Pennsylvania’s second largest industry is agriculture, and every year, the fair welcomes more than 5,000 must-see agricultural entries. Some of the families who show their livestock have exhibited here into the seventh generation. After you take in the exhibits, catch the many free attractions, like the Racing Pigs. After the porkers cross the finish line, stop for a Stoltzfus Ham and Cheese sandwich, a fair staple for over 70 years, or ride the fair’s famous Giant Dutch Wheel. Take a spin at night to see the entire fairgrounds ablaze with lights. Rascal Flatts is scheduled to perform in 2025; see the website for details on concert tickets.

Held annually in Richmond, the Washington County Fair is Rhode Island’s largest agricultural event. If time is short, catch the Tug-O-War. It’s not just two teams flexing their muscles; it’s a crowd favorite, with lots of cheers as contestants in the men’s and women’s divisions face off in this traditional challenge. Teams compete in different weight classes to keep things fair in a double elimination format, and no gloves or cleats are allowed. This event isn't just about pulling the other team across the finish line; it’s a joyful, thunderous reminder that the biggest win is pulling together. Participants enter to honor loved ones, support local organizations and raise awareness for important missions. Match-ups between iconic rivals like the Army and the Air Force turn the arena electric and add a patriotic vibe. More to see and do: a cornhole tournament, an arm-wrestling competition, and a pie-eating contest that sends blueberries flying as participants with their hands behind their backs dive face-first into fluffy blueberry pies. It’s a heartwarming, hilarious celebration of community, competition and sweet, sweet fun with divisions for all ages. The fair runs from Aug. 13-17, 2025.

You’ll find some of the best student art and fine art displays in the Southeast from Oct. 8-19, 2025, at the annual South Carolina State Fair. Residents from all over the state come to share their talents and show their intricate quilts, award-winning artwork, handcrafted woodwork, fantastic floral arrangements and more. The whimsical live scarecrow decorating contest is too good to miss, as are the youth competitions in livestock handling. Pig races are another big fan favorite, along with free, daily circus performances and concerts. This non-profit fair has donated over $5 million in scholarships to South Carolina students since 1997. You'll find it on the state fairgrounds in Columbia.

Hold your breath when daredevil bull riders thunder past you at the South Dakota State Fair. When the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash takes the arena, top-notch riders hang on tight to world-class bucking bulls. The Bull Bash kicks off the fun and excitement on Aug. 27-28, 2025, and you'll find info on times and ticket prices on the website. The entire fair runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, 2025. Held annually in Huron, it also features livestock exhibitions, 4-H projects and agricultural contests. You'll get a feel for farm and ranch life in South Dakota as you watch tractor pulls and check out the crop judging and rodeo.

It's the Year of Pork at the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair in 2025, where the tag line is “Going Hog Wild and Bacon Memories at the fair.” Held in the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, the local talents are the best and most unique attractions, like the boy shown here performing Southern songs. Competitors enter contests that judge their hay and field crops, eggs, baked goods, produce, flowers, honey, decorated round hay bales and more. Look for the antique car, poultry and rabbit shows, the horse and mule events and 15 stages of entertainment. If you’re a fan of motorsports, catch the 4-Wheeler Rodeo, Bump and Run Derby and Tractor and Truck Pull. The fair takes places from Aug. 14-23, 2025.

The most beloved icon at the State Fair of Texas is the 55-foot-tall talking cowboy, Big Tex, who greets visitors coming through the gates with a booming, "Howdy, folks!" In his size 96 boots and 95-gallon hat, he's widely known as the fair's official mascot. The fair began in 1886 and runs from Sept. 26-Oct. 19, 2025, in Dallas; its 24 consecutive-day-run makes it the longest-running fair in the U.S. Ride to the top of the 500-foot-high Top o' Texas Tower for a bird's-eye view of the fun and surroundings; the ride takes about 4 1/2 minutes and the cabin that you sit in rotates slowly. Hungry? The food competition offers all sorts of creations, from Fried Beer (yes, really) to Fried Peaches and Cream.

At 65 acres, the Utah State Fair may not cover as much ground as other state fairs, but it packs plenty of carnival rides and games, live entertainment, and yummy foods into its urban setting in downtown Salt Lake City. This 2025 fall event stretches from Sept. 4-14, 2025 and opens with a unique “Fair Food Fight" on the first weekend, when vendors compete to create unique, mouthwatering items. Fairgoers can purchase a sample or buy a full-sized version. There's a one-day ice cream event and a Beef Feast that always sells out; see the website for the dates. In 2024, the fair's Jaripeo was a big success; this Mexican rodeo featuring bull riding and live music is set to return in 2025. But the most popular thing to do at the fair, organizers say, is to visit the baby animal exhibit, Barnyard Friends, where young and newborn farm animals are fed and groomed. Fun fact: the first fair in Utah, called the Desert Fair, was held by Mormon pioneers in 1856. It became the official state fair when Utah achieved statehood in 1896.

The Vermont State Fair, an all-volunteer state fair and one of the oldest in the country, is scheduled for Aug.12-16, 2025. Stop by the unique, working sugarhouse to see the Maple Barn, built in 1958. Stay a while to watch as sap is boiled to make maple syrup, and satisfy your sweet tooth with treats like maple creamies, maple candy, maple shakes and maple cotton candy, to name a few. There are historic buildings and locations to explore, like the original gatehouse and grandstand; many of the fair's structures, including the cattle barns and farm museum, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out the equestrian center for events, too. The fair has been a Vermont tradition for 179 years, with the exceptions of 1917-1918 and 1942-1945, during World Wars I and II, and 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fairgoers vote with their stomachs when it comes to the best things at The State of Virginia Fair and head for the food concessions run by the state's two land-grant universities. Virginia Tech’s Block and Bridle Club serves up epic barbecue and ribeye sandwiches, while Virginia State University plates up those mouth-watering Southern favorites, fried catfish sandwiches. If fair food isn’t your thing, look for the Giant Veggie Weigh-Off, held annually on the first Saturday of the fair. The Weigh-Off puts enormous pumpkins, watermelons, gourds and other garden behemoths on the scales and hands out Blue Ribbons and bragging rights. A 246-pound watermelon, a 107.6-long gourd and a 49.4-pound field pumpkin took the honors in 2023, but a first-time grower from Pennsylvania (the fair accepts out-of-state competitors) topped them with a giant pumpkin that came in at a whopping 1,200.4 pounds. The 2025 fair is scheduled for Sept. 26-Oct 5 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

The state of Washington holds five signature events a year: a spring fair, a summer fair, an autumn fair, a Munich-style festival and a holiday event. The largest one is the 20-day Washington State Fair slated for Aug. 29 to Sept. 21, 2025 (it will close on Tuesdays and Sept. 3, 2025). Visitors to this autumn event have gobbled up the can't-miss Fisher scones, which are raspberry jam treats, every year for over a century; more than a million are sold annually. Another huge draw is expected to be the Puyallup Rodeo PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Cinch Playoffs, scheduled for Sept. 4-7, 2025; tickets are in addition to fair admission. After the rodeo, stay for a Dancin’ in the Dirt Party and dance to country music in the dirt-floor arena. Performers scheduled for 2025 include Toto, Christopher Cross, Men at Work, Darius Rucker and Ludacris.

Held on the fairgrounds in Lewisburg, The State Fair of West Virginia has gotten bigger every year since it debuted in 1925. It celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025 when it opens from Aug. 7-16. Between enjoying the games, rides, contests and livestock shows, make sure to line up for the fair's fresh, cinnamon sugar cider donuts. Called Ben Ellen Donuts, they're available only once a year, and that’s at the fair. They’re served hot, too which makes the typically long line worth the wait. After you dust the sugar off your fingers, take in a sure-to-be-electrifying concert by country music superstar Miranda Lambert, pop and Christian music award-winner Lauren Daigle and the “"velvet-thunder" tenor Nate Smith, or laugh at a performance by Comedy Central star Jeff Dunham.

Bring your appetite to the Wisconsin State Fair. Over a million visitors are expected to help mark its 174th anniversary when it opens from July 31-Aug. 10, 2025 in West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb. The fair's most popular delicacy is its beloved Original Cream Puff, but don’t dawdle if your sweet tooth demands one (or more). This year, brand-new, limited-edition flavors like root beer, raspberry cheesecake, English toffee and chocolate birthday cake will debut, but only 1,924 of those specialty cream puffs will be available each day. The number honors the year the treats debuted, and they’re likely to sell out fast. But don’t worry. The original fan-favorite flavor will be available, too. When you've satisfied your craving, enjoy the educational exhibits and rides and see performances by musical artists like Boyz II Men, Darius Rucker, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.