The Maryland State Fair takes place in late August and early September at the Maryland State Fairgrounds at the intersection of York Road and Timonium Road in Timonium, Maryland. This 12-day event also continues over the Labor Day weekend. Jam-packed with thrilling entertainment, hundreds of vendors, and competitions, this celebration draws in almost 2 million visitors annually.
Entertainment
The major attractions include carnival rides, food vendors, and live music. Horse races are one of the major highlights of the fair. You also have a chance to observe the artistry of the local craftsmen in their workshops on glassblowing and blacksmithing. Kids might enjoy the robocars and a riveting Swifty Swine race.
Music Concerts
Each year, the Maryland State Fair hosts several major concerts at the High's Main Stage, where you can groove to some of the most popular names in the industry. This year, on September 6th, join the crowd at a Taylor Swift tribute Let's Sing Taylor! concert. The show begins at 7 pm. At 6 pm on September 7th, prepare to dance the night away to Big Time Rush, a legendary boy band. Tickets to Big Time Rush cost $55, while tickets to Let's Sing Taylor! cost $25.
Contests
Maryland State Fair stays true to its heritage and legacy as the livestock and produce exhibit by hosting numerous agricultural contests. Farmers and artisans from all over the world come every year to participate in a two-day competition on the stage and in several round-table discussions.
Horse Racing (August 23-25 & August 30-September 2)
A true staple in the Maryland State Fair program, horse racing attracts thousands of spectators to the bleaches. You'll have a chance to place your bets on your favorite contestant, while they compete in a 5/8 mile (1 km) race. The competitions begin at 12:25 pm on selected dates of the fair.
Carnival
A cornerstone of the Maryland State Fair is definitely the carnival, with its many attractions and ride options. Your little ones might enjoy iconic rides, like Tea Cups, Merry-Go-Round, and Circus Train located in the Kiddie Land. To test your bravery, consider joining some of the games and rides at Midway in the center of the fairgrounds, such as Space Port and Hydra or a Rip Tide Roller Coaster.
Carnival Hours & Cost
The carnival operates from 10 am until closing on all days of the fair, apart from Thursdays, when it opens its gates at 5 pm until closing. To experience this mindblowing fun, you need to purchase a Ride Card or a Ride Band. Ride Card stores credits you can use for the rides, with 100 credits costing $10. Ride Band is an unlimited pass to all the attractions at the carnival. The cost of Ride Bands ranges from $32 to $38,
Tickets & Parking
Admission to the fair costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $7 for children between 7 and 11 years old. Children aged 5 and under have free entry. Concerts and carnival rides require separate tickets and passes. Parking at the fairgrounds costs $15 per vehicle. If you plan to shop from vendors at the venue, be sure to stock up on cash.
Maryland State Fair Schedule
The venue's gates open from 5 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays and from 10 am to 9 pm on the rest of the days. The festival's buildings close at 8 pm. Throughout the day, you'll have plenty of time to explore the myriad of activities and entertainment offered by the fair.
History of the Fair
The first fair in the state of Maryland was held in 1878 in Lutherville, but the following year it moved to its current location in Timonium. Tents and wooden structures were used to exhibit farm and garden products and livestock shows. Races, plowing and working oxen competitions, sack races, and greased pole climbing were among the popular attractions of the fair.
Timonium Fairgrounds Station
In the 1990s, a light rail connection was established between Timonium and Baltimore where most attendees of the fair come from. Timonium Fairgrounds station connects southward to Cromwell Station near Glen Burnie in Anne Arundel County, downtown Baltimore, and northward to Hunt Valley.
