The Biggest Fairs in the Mid-Atlantic

Maryland's official state fair, held each August-September at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, drew 565,307 fairgoers across its three-weekend run in 2025 — one of the largest state fairs on the East Coast. Running since 1878.

Billed as America's Largest Free-Gate Fair, the Salem Fair charges no admission and runs 12 days each July at the Salem Civic Center complex in the Roanoke Valley. Organizers say the fair sees up to 350,000 people attend annually.

Known as The Great Frederick Fair, this is Frederick County's largest annual event, attracting approximately 220,000 visitors over its nine-day run each September, according to the fair's own 2025 Maryland General Assembly bond initiative filing. Running since 1822.

The State Fair of Virginia set an attendance milestone in 2023, reaching full capacity on its closing Saturday for the first time in the event's history — 210,000 fairgoers over the run. Held each September/October at Meadow Event Park.

Dating back to 1911, the Chesterfield County Fair runs nine days each August and is identified locally as the fourth-largest fair in Virginia. Organizers project roughly 70,000 visitors across the run.

Described by local press as Virginia's largest county fair, the Prince William County Fair has run since 1949 near Manassas. The nine-day August event draws over 60,000 visitors annually from across Northern Virginia and the D.C. metro.

The Harford County Farm Fair drew about 40,000 visitors in 2019, an increase from 2018 when weather dampened turnout, according to The Aegis. Held each July at the Equestrian Center in Bel Air.

Established in 1936 and run by Loudoun 4-H, the Loudoun County Fair is held each July in Leesburg as the club's primary annual fundraiser. The 2022 fair drew 20,000 attendees.