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. The State Fair of Texas will run for an impressive 24-day span this year from September 27 to October 20.
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 rich history and traditions through 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 the Texas 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,” the Minnesota State Fair is 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 has more than 500 food options from 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 22 to Labor Day, September 2.
Take a pair of reading glasses along, so you don’t miss a single detail about the fascinating Land of 1,000 Lakes history.
Also known as the Eastern States Exposition, The Big E includes all six New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The fair — to be held September 13 – 29, 2024, in Massachusetts — hosts “state days” each year that allow each state to showcase their individual history and traditions.
The Big E has fried just about any 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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The Arizona State Fair was 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 20 to October 27.
If you’re flying to attend a state fair, don’t forget your reading 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: the Tulsa State Fair and 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 2024, from September 26 to October 6, and host educational experiences, and good ol’ fashioned family fun! Keep an eye on the events schedule to see if Disney on Ice will perform in the Pavillion again this year. If so, you can match your favorite characters with Disney x Foster Grant® reading glasses.
The Iowa State Fair is 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 for one 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 8 – 18.
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.
Throw on a pair of readers to see the up-close details of the Butter Cow artistry.
The Wisconsin State Fair will be held from August 1 – 11 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 the Wisconsin 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 at 50+ vendors.
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The Washington State Fair has 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 August 30 to September 22, 2024, 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!
Before you rock out to free music at the fair’s legendary concert series, shop our Trend Setter Collection of reading glasses to make sure you look cool while you check out the lineup.
Hosted in Raleigh, North Carolina, the North Carolina State Fair highlights 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 17 – 27. There are 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!
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While the Oklahoma State Fair may 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 12 – 22, 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 the Oklahoma State Fair Putters Cup, test your strength in the Arm 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 of readers. 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 in Carnival Warehouse’s 2022 Top 50 Fairs. We did not include county, city, or other smaller fairs in our list.
