The Great American State Fair begins on the National Mall with a Ferris wheel
Washington DC will host the Great American State Fair for America250
Ambassador Monica Crowley discusses the Great American State Fair, scheduled to transform the National Mall in Washington DC from June 25 to July 10. To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the 16-day event will include fairs from all 50 states and six territories, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, traditional games, and a rodeo.
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Summer is here, and that means Americans are marking their calendars for the country’s fairest season.
On Thursday, the Great American State Fair begins on the National Mall in Washington, DC, a grand event that officials describe as “a modern-day World’s Fair,” according to its website.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will include more than 150 exhibits representing every US state and territory – and a giant Ferris wheel.
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Attendees can explore government pavilions and industrial exhibits while enjoying family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, live music concerts and military parades, according to their website, as well as daily cultural programs and aerial flyovers.
For those outside the Beltway, some of the country’s most iconic fairs offer their own combination of food, entertainment and local culture.
Organizers describe the Great American State Fair as a modern World’s Fair celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Here’s a look at the top shows from six regions of the country as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Northeast: The Big E (Massachusetts)
The Big E, the largest show in the Northeast, describes itself as the fourth largest show in North America.
The event “offers a unique and vibrant experience for visitors from all over the country,” according to its website.
“Attendees can enjoy hours of free entertainment and attractions, fabulous food, and the best food New England – and beyond – has to offer,” the website says.
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“Highlights include authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras in the Big Parade, an immersive Irish tour of the International Plaza’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase, the North American Midway, and many educational opportunities, from the Avenue of States to the Storrowton Village Museum, Farm-A-Rama and more.”
The show runs in West Springfield, Massachusetts, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, 2026.
The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts, draws visitors from across New England with food, entertainment and regional fairs. (Getty Images/John Atashian)
South: North Carolina State Fair
The North Carolina State Fair is held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
The fair, which is also an agricultural display, is a long-standing tradition that began in 1853.
Tar Heel State officials say last year’s state fair drew 946,811 people.
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“The show creates a unique North Carolina experience and is an unmatched value, with free entertainment, fun rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, contests, vendors and deep fried fun,” reads the event’s website.
The North Carolina State Fair takes place from Oct. 15 to Oct. 25, 2026.
The North Carolina State Fair has been a Tar Heel State tradition since 1853, featuring agriculture, riding and family activities. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Midwest: Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair website describes the event as “one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.”
This event was held in the town of Falcon Heights near St. Paul and often attracts up to two million visitors a year.
“What began in 1855 as a local fair to highlight agriculture and promote farming in the region became the Minnesota State Fair in 1859, a year after Minnesota was granted statehood,” the website says.
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“The State Fair’s mission is to educate and engage our visitors by providing a world-class exhibition that is innovative, exciting and fun,” the website says.
The Minnesota State Fair takes place from Aug. 27 to September 7 this year.
The Minnesota State Fair attracts up to two million visitors annually and remains one of the most popular attractions in the state. (Stock)
Southwest: The State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is held annually at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, and runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 this year.
“Since its founding in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has promoted Texas agriculture, education and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment,” reads the state fair’s website.
“At 24 consecutive days, the State Fair of Texas is the longest running fair in the nation, and one of the largest.”
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Texas officials say the fair “serves not just as an annual festival, but as a unique place that brings people from all walks of life together to create lasting memories.”
The show is perhaps best known for Big Tex, its 55-foot-tall cowboy mascot, and its ever-expanding lineup of fried foods.
The State Fair of Texas features agricultural exhibits, live entertainment and some of the industry’s most popular fried foods. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
West Coast: California State Fair
The California State Fair takes place from July 17 to Aug. 2, 2026.
This year’s fair promises “rides, live concerts [and] walking around, according to its website.
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The fair also features a Commercial Wine Competition, where winemakers showcase some of California’s finest, as well as agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions and live entertainment.
Food offerings include classic staples like funnel cakes, corn dogs and sauce, as well as California-inspired fare like fish tacos and poke bowls.
Visitors to the California State Fair can enjoy good old fashioned and California-inspired dishes and live concerts. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Mountain West/Plains: Nebraska State Fair
Held annually in Grand Island, Nebraska, the Nebraska State Fair is one of the premier agricultural events on the Great Plains.
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The fair includes concerts, carnival rides, food vendors and family-friendly attractions, as well as livestock competitions and agricultural exhibits.
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island highlights agriculture, livestock competitions and family attractions. (Stock)
According to the fair’s website, visitors can enjoy a variety of free entertainment this year, including performances by country group Home Free, Christian singer Phil Wickham and disco legends KC & The Sunshine Band.
The show will start on Aug. 28 to September 7, 2026.
