Country Fairs in Washington
Washington State's country fair tradition reflects an agricultural powerhouse that ranks among the nation's top producers of apples, cherries, hops, wheat, and potatoes. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup — known locally as the Puyallup Fair — has been running since 1900 and is one of the largest fairs in the United States, drawing over a million visitors each September. It anchors a robust county fair season that spans both sides of the Cascade Range.
West of the Cascades, fairs in the Puget Sound region and Olympic Peninsula celebrate small-farm agriculture, artisan crafts, and maritime heritage. East of the mountains, the vast agricultural lands of the Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, and Palouse host fairs with a more traditional focus on grain farming, orchards, cattle ranching, and rodeo. Washington's county fairs bridge these two worlds, offering everything from 4-H livestock shows to juried artisan craft markets.
Top Country Fair Events in Washington
- Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair) — Puyallup; held each September, one of the largest fairs in the nation with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, craft competitions, rodeo events, concerts, and a massive midway.
- Ellensburg Rodeo & Kittitas County Fair — Ellensburg; held each Labor Day weekend, combining one of the top professional rodeos in the Pacific Northwest with a traditional county fair featuring livestock shows and craft exhibits.
- Evergreen State Fair — Monroe; Snohomish County's major fair with livestock competitions, agricultural displays, craft vendor areas, and entertainment north of Seattle.
- Central Washington State Fair — Yakima; a celebration of the Yakima Valley's agricultural abundance with fruit and produce displays, livestock shows, rodeo events, and community entertainment.
- Skagit County Fair — Burlington; a northwest Washington fair in the Skagit Valley agricultural region, known for dairy farming, berry production, and tulip growing.
What to Expect
Washington county fairs feature livestock competitions in beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits, with 4-H and FFA youth programs playing a central role at every fair. Produce displays highlight the state's extraordinary agricultural output — apples, cherries, grapes, berries, hops, wheat, and potatoes are all represented. Home arts competitions include quilting, canning, baking, and fiber arts, with fruit preservation categories being particularly competitive in Washington's orchard country.
Rodeo events are a signature feature of Eastern Washington fairs, with the Ellensburg Rodeo ranking among the most prestigious in the Pacific Northwest. West side fairs tend to feature more artisan craft vendors and farm-to-table food events, reflecting the region's strong local food movement. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup includes extensive craft competition buildings and vendor areas alongside its agricultural exhibits. Many fairs also include logging sports demonstrations, reflecting Washington's timber heritage. Fair season runs from July through October, with the Puyallup Fair closing out the major events in September.
Popular Cities for Country Fairs
- Seattle — Gateway to Puget Sound area fairs including the Puyallup Fair and Evergreen State Fair in Monroe
- Spokane — Eastern Washington hub near the Spokane County Interstate Fair and Palouse agricultural events
- Olympia — State capital with the Thurston County Fair and access to south Puget Sound agricultural events
- Walla Walla — Southeastern Washington farming and wine community with the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days
See all craft events in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Puyallup Fair?
The Washington State Fair, commonly known as the Puyallup Fair, is held each September in Puyallup, south of Seattle. It typically runs for about twenty days and is one of the largest fairs in the United States, featuring livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, craft buildings, rodeo events, concerts, and a large carnival midway.
Are there rodeos at Washington fairs?
Yes, rodeo events are a significant part of the fair tradition in Eastern Washington. The Ellensburg Rodeo, held during the Kittitas County Fair over Labor Day weekend, is one of the top professional rodeos in the Pacific Northwest. The Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days and several other Eastern Washington county fairs also feature rodeo competitions. The Puyallup Fair includes rodeo events as well.
What agricultural products are featured at Washington fairs?
Washington fairs showcase the state's top agricultural products including apples, cherries, grapes, berries, hops, wheat, potatoes, dairy, and beef cattle. The Yakima Valley fairs are particularly known for fruit and hop displays, while Skagit Valley fairs highlight dairy and berry production. Eastern Washington fairs feature wheat, cattle, and orchard crops prominently.