County Fairs in Washington
Washington state's county fair circuit spans from the apple orchards and wheat fields east of the Cascades to the dairy farms and berry patches of the Puget Sound lowlands. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup (historically known as the Puyallup Fair) is one of the largest in the western United States, drawing over a million visitors each September. County fairs across the state's 39 counties celebrate the agricultural diversity that makes Washington a national leader in apples, cherries, hops, and wine grapes.
Eastern Washington fairs in the Yakima Valley, Wenatchee area, and Palouse region center on irrigated agriculture and livestock ranching. Western Washington fairs emphasize dairy farming, berries, and the region's strong 4-H tradition. Home arts divisions with quilting, canning, and baking competitions are popular on both sides of the mountains.
Top County Fair Events in Washington
- Washington State Fair — Puyallup Fairgrounds; 20 days in September; one of the largest fairs in the western US; livestock, home arts, craft vendors, rodeo, and major entertainment
- Central Washington State Fair — State Fair Park, Yakima; late September; celebrating the Yakima Valley's agricultural heritage with livestock and home arts
- Evergreen State Fair — Monroe; late August through Labor Day; Snohomish County's agricultural showcase with livestock, 4-H, and home arts
- Clark County Fair — Ridgefield; early August; southwest Washington's largest county fair with livestock shows, home arts, and a traditional midway
- Skagit County Fair — Mount Vernon; mid-August; celebrating the Skagit Valley's tulip and farming heritage with agricultural exhibits
What to Expect
Washington county fairs run from late July through October, with most concentrated in August and September. Livestock shows feature dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, and rabbits. 4-H and FFA youth programs are well-represented, with project exhibits spanning livestock, baking, textiles, and woodworking. Home arts buildings showcase quilts, canned goods, baked items, and floral arrangements with ribbon judging.
The Washington State Fair in Puyallup is the marquee event, with dedicated craft vendor buildings and extensive entertainment. Smaller county fairs offer a more intimate community experience, often with free or low-cost admission. Rodeo events are common at eastern Washington fairs, while western Washington fairs tend to emphasize dairy and berry agriculture alongside traditional fair attractions.
Popular Cities for County Fairs
- Seattle — The Washington State Fair in Puyallup and Evergreen State Fair in Monroe are both within easy reach of the metro area
- Spokane — Spokane County Interstate Fair celebrates eastern Washington's agricultural and ranching traditions
- Tacoma — Pierce County residents are closest to the Washington State Fair in neighboring Puyallup
- Olympia — Thurston County Fair celebrates the south Puget Sound's dairy and agricultural community
See all craft events in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Washington State Fair?
The Washington State Fair runs for 20 days in September at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Historically known as the Puyallup Fair, it is one of the largest fairs in the western United States. It features livestock competitions, home arts exhibitions, craft vendors, rodeo events, carnival rides, and major concert acts.
Are there county fairs in eastern Washington?
Yes. Eastern Washington has a strong county fair tradition anchored by the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima and the Spokane County Interstate Fair. Smaller county fairs in Grant, Walla Walla, Chelan, and other agricultural counties celebrate the region's irrigated farming and ranching heritage, often incorporating rodeo events.
Do Washington county fairs have craft vendors?
Most do. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup has dedicated craft vendor buildings with hundreds of exhibitors. Smaller county fairs typically include vendor areas with handmade goods alongside home arts competition displays. Many fairs also feature artisan food vendors and craft beverage tastings.