Originally little more than agricultural fairs with livestock competitions and displays, exhibits and local craft and home baking contests, State Fairs in the USA have grown to include fun for all the family.
From carnival rides to multiple concert stages and food booths and stalls, as well as the original agricultural attractions, the State Fair in the USA is an integral part of the US experience - to the point of one of these fairs, the Iowa State Fair, being showcased as one of New York Times’ "1000 Places to See Before You Die".
ILLINOIS
Illinois State Fair
August, Illinois
Started in 1853, the annual Illinois State fair today attracts more than 800,000 visitors each year, making it the 13th largest state fair in the USA. Hosted by the State of Illinois, the 10-day festival focuses on the traditional theme of agriculture.
From numerous agricultural exhibits and classic festival food stands to butter cows and nationally recognised pop stars, it’s hard to name something fairgoers won’t see.
For more information visit: www.illinoisstatefair.info
INDIANA
Indiana State Fair
August
Indianapolis
The Indiana State Fair, nationally recognised as America's premiere showcase of agriculture, youth, education and entertainment, is the 6th oldest State Fair in the country. Originating in 1852, the fair has seen such highlights as a performance by the Beatles in 1964, and appearances of famous visitors like Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope, the Beatles, John Phillip Sousa, Sonny & Cher, the Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, John Mellencamp, President John F. Kennedy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
For more information visit: www.indianastatefair.com
IOWA
Iowa State Fair
August
Des Moines, Iowa
Featured in the New York Times’ "1000 Places to See Before You Die" as one of the world's must-see events, and named the #2 choice for summer fun in America by USA Weekend, the internationally-acclaimed Iowa State Fair annually attracts more than a million fun-lovers from around the world.
Special features include one of the world's largest livestock shows, the country's largest state fair foods department (approx. 900 classes), the state's largest arts show, hundreds of competitive events and wacky contests; 600 plus exhibitors and concessionaires selling quality and tasty treats, and 160 rolling acres of campgrounds.
For more information visit: www.iowastatefair.org
MINNESOTA
Minnesota State Fair
August / September
Saint Paul, Minnesota
The Great Minnesota Get-together features world class entertainment, agricultural exhibits, horse shows, a rodeo, arts and craft displays, amusement park rides, a daily parade and food of every variety. The event attracts almost 2 million visitors each year.
For more information visit: www.mnstatefair.org
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico State Fair
September
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Also known as “the Biggest Show in New Mexico”, the New Mexico State Fair is an annual state fair held at the 236-acre Expo New Mexico in the heart of Albuquerque.
Attractions include concerts, competitions, rodeos, carnival rides, games, farm animals, horses, agriculture and art.
For more information visit: http://exponm.com/en/
NEW YORK
Great New York State Fair
August
Syracuse, New York
Each summer, the 12-day Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York State's agriculture, entertainment, education, industry & technology.
More than a million visitors enjoy more than 375 acres of animals, exhibits and displays, food, live performances from the biggest names in entertainment, midway rides and games of skill.
For more information visit: www.nysfair.org
TEXAS
State Fair of Texas
September
Dallas, Texas
The roots of the State Fair of Texas can be traced all the way back to 1886.
Today, it is a 24-day celebration of the state with over 70 amusement rides, Texas Star (the tallest Ferris wheel in North America), 8000 livestock entries, 7,000 creative arts entries, about 200 food service locations, the largest new car show in the Southwest, and of course, Big Tex, the world's best-known 52-foot-tall cowboy who made his first State Fair appearance in 1952.
For more information visit: www.bigtex.com
WASHINGTON
Puyallup Fair
October
Puyallup, Washington
The Puyallup Fair (once officially known as the Western Washington Fair) is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The Fair continually ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the world. The Western Washington Fair Association hosts two annual events, the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September, and the four-day Puyallup Spring Fair every April.
Situated south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Fair & Events Center comprises 169+ acres, with buildings and land valued at more than $54 million.
When it began in 1900 it attracted over 20,000 visitors. Today, the Puyallup Fair draws more than a million people from across the state and the USA.
For more information visit: www.thefair.com
