The Biggest State Fairs in the United States [Top 10] | Readers.com® (2024)

As you look back on the summers of your childhood, you’ve likely attended a fair or two. Fairs often signal the end of summer and the impending new school year. While there are thousands of fairs across the United States every year, these 10 state fairs had the biggest attendance numbers in 2022.

From mind-blowing food to livestock education, here’s a quick breakdown of the top 10 biggest state fairs* in America.

The old saying “everything is bigger in Texas” is especially true of its fairs after it welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors in 2022. TheState Fair of Texaswill run for an impressive 24-day span this year from September 29 to October 22.

Held in Dallas at Fair Park, a registered National Historic Landmark, this fair is more than just food and rides. Attendees can expect to learn about the Lone Star State’s richhistory and traditionsthrough educational exhibits on agriculture and livestock, as well as art, culture, and science museums.

As with any state fair, you’ll find loads of midway rides, attractions, live music, events, and all the fried food you could ever want. Throughout the duration of the fair, you can check out the cars at theTexas Auto Show, and football fans can attend several collegiate football games at Cotton Bowl Stadium, located inside Fair Park.

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Commonly referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” theMinnesota State Fairis the second largest fair in America. Since the first official fair in 1859, Minnesotans and other Midwesterners visit the Minnesota State Fairgrounds each year to celebrate the history of the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Most famous for Sweet Martha’s Cookies, Tom Thumb’s mini donuts, deep-fried cheese curds, the Pronto Pup corn dog, and turkey legs, the Minnesota State Fair hasmore than 500 food optionsfrom over 300 concession stands. Keep an eye out for the official mascot of the fair, Fairchild the gopher, when you visit. In 2023, the fair runs from August 24 to Labor Day, September 4.

Also known as the Eastern States Exposition,The Big Eincludes all six New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The fair — to be held September 15 to October 1, 2023, in Massachusetts — hosts “state days” each year that allow each state to showcase their individual history and traditions.

The Big E has fried just aboutany food imaginable, and has all the traditional fair food staples. Don’t forget to end your meal with a Big E Cream Puff, the fair’s signature dessert!

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TheArizona State Fairwas established in 1905 with the intent of being a gathering place for the community. Growing to over 1 million attendees annually, visitors from all corners of the state come together during this three-week fair.

With numerous concerts, live entertainment, festival rides, fair food, and educational exhibitions, this southwest state fair takes place in Phoenix this year from September 22 to October 29.

If you’re flying to attend a state fair, don’t forget yourreading glasses! You’ll need them to see the details on your tickets, and to read your book on the plane.

You may be thinking that Tulsa isn’t a state… and you’d be right. Oklahoma has two state fairs each year: theTulsa State Fairand its smaller rival, the Oklahoma State Fair. What began as the Tulsa County Free Fair has evolved into Oklahoma’s biggest family event of the year!

The Tulsa State Fair will run for 11 days in 2023, from September 28 to October 8, and host educational experiences, and good ol’ fashioned family fun! Keep an eye on theevents scheduleto see if Disney on Ice will perform in the Pavillion again this year. If so, you can match your favorite characters withDisney x Foster Grant® reading glasses.

TheIowa State Fairis the largest event in the entire state and celebrates Iowa’s agriculture, industry, entertainment, and achievement. This fair is even claimed to be the inspiration forone novel and three movies!

Rated as one of the best state fairs in the nation, the Iowa State Fairgrounds welcome more than a million local, regional, and international visitors annually. This year, the gates will be open from August 10 – 20.

On top of free entertainment and attractions, the Iowa State Fair offers a wide variety of good eats, including their 50+ “mobile food on a stick” options!

Fun fact: Iowa’s State Fair is home to the world-famous Butter Cow, weighing about 600 pounds and standing 5.5 feet tall, a tradition that started in 1911 and has been carried on by only five sculptors over the last 100+ years.

TheWisconsin State Fairwill be held from August 3 – 13 this year at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. Take a ride on the Wonderfair Wheel (North America’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel), browse art exhibits, wander through Exploratory Park, or visit the House of Moo to learn more about Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

If you find yourself heading to the fair this August, be sure to try their famous cream puffs! According to theWisconsin State Fair website, the puffs have been sold since 1924, and an average of 400,000 puffs are consumed annually.

The Sporkies, the Wisconsin State Fair annual food competition, tests out some of the newest foods featured at the fair. Looking to try something bite-sized? Crazy Grazin’ Day allows you to sample smaller portions of food at50+vendors.

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TheWashington State Fairhas just around 1 million attendees annually, and has grown significantly since the very first fair in 1900. Originally the Valley Fair, later the Puyallup Fair, and eventually the Washington State Fair, this fair may have held several names, but its mission has not changed: providing an experience centered on animals, agriculture, and education.

As fairgoers “do the Puyallup” during its run from September 1-24, 2023, they can participate in farming simulations; watch rodeos, parades, and stunt shows; and view firework shows on Friday nights! If you’re lucky enough, you might get to meet Big Washington, the fair’s elusive bigfoot mascot!

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Hosted in Raleigh, North Carolina, theNorth Carolina State Fairhighlights the state’s agriculture through both educational and interactive exhibits. The fair features rides and numerous competitions ranging from graphic design to horse shows.

Get your fill of entertainment at one of the fair’s many events, including the Folk Festival, this year from October 12 – 22. There’s 100+ free things to do at the fair, as well as new food options to try. It’s the perfect fall activity for the whole family!

While theOklahoma State Fairmay not bring in as many visitors as the Tusla State Fair, the annual event still draws a big enough crowd to earn them a spot in the top 10. Running this year from September 14 – 24, the fair has everything you could ask for in terms of food and entertainment.

If you’re feeling competitive, you can try your golf game at theOklahoma State Fair Putters Cup, test your strength in theArm Wrestling Classic, or show off your gaming skills in the Board Game Bonanza. Afterward, fill your belly with foods from over 70 food vendors, with choices ranging from pizza on a stick to vegetarian and gluten-free options.

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Whether you’re reading literature on a state fair’s history, or scrolling through your phone to find showtimes for featured bands, you shouldn’t hit the fairgrounds without a pair ofreaders. Reading glasses can help you get the most out of your state fair visit by allowing you to take in all the excitement with clarity.

*Please note that we determined our list of Top 10 State Fairs based on the rankings and attendance estimates found inCarnival Warehouse’s 2022 Top 50 Fairs.We did not include county, city, or other smaller fairs in our list.

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