The 15 Oldest County Fairs in the United States

The York State Fair is one of Pennsylvania's premier county fairs, a ten-day late-July through August celebration drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the York Fairgrounds — one of the oldest and grandest fair venues in the commonwealth. Dating to 1765, it is one of Pennsylvania's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Brooklyn Fair is one of the oldest continuously running fairs in America, celebrating over 215 years of agricultural tradition in northeastern Connecticut. Dating to 1809, it is one of Connecticut's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Organized by the Windham County Agricultural Society, this beloved fair draws visitors from across New England for a long weekend of authentic rural New England fair traditions.

The Delaware County Fair is one of Ohio's largest and oldest county fairs, with roots going back to 1816. Dating to 1816, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Held north of Columbus, it draws upwards of 400,000 visitors over its week-long run. Harness racing is featured.

The Skowhegan State Fair is the oldest continuously running agricultural fair in the United States, established in 1818 — making it a living piece of American history. Dating to 1818, it is one of Maine's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Held every August at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds along the Kennebec River, this nationally recognized fair has set the standard for agricultural exhibitions for over two centuries.

The Wayne County Fair in Wooster is one of Ohio's oldest, dating to 1818. Dating to 1818, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Set in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, the fair reflects the deep agricultural traditions of one of the state's top dairy counties. Harness racing is featured.

The Topsfield Fair is one of America's oldest agricultural fairs, established in 1818 by the Essex Agricultural Society — the same year as the Skowhegan State Fair in Maine. Dating to 1818, it is one of Massachusetts's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Held annually at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Essex County, this 11-day fair is a beloved North Shore of Massachusetts tradition drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each October.

The Erie County Fair in Hamburg is one of the largest county fairs in the United States, drawing over a million visitors to Western New York for twelve days of spectacular entertainment, livestock, and fair fun. Dating to 1820, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Monroe County Fair in Rochester celebrates the Flower City and the birthplace of Kodak — Rochester was home to George Eastman (Eastman Kodak), Frederick Douglass (who published The North Star here), Susan B. Dating to 1823, it is one of New York's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Anthony (who was arrested here for voting), and the Erie Canal barge trade that made the city the "Young Lion of the West." The county's apple orchards and Lake Ontario fruit belt come together at a major Western New York fair.

The Geauga County Fair in Burton is one of the oldest continuously operating county fairs in Ohio, with a history stretching back to 1823. Dating to 1823, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Set in the maple syrup country of the Western Reserve, it draws visitors from across northeastern Ohio. Harness racing is featured.

The Oakland County Fair in Davisburg is a ten-day mid-July celebration in the heart of metro Detroit's northern suburbs, one of Michigan's largest county fairs drawing hundreds of thousands from southeastern Michigan's most affluent county. Dating to 1830, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Boone County Fair in Columbia celebrates the home of the University of Missouri — MU's College of Agriculture has deep roots in Missouri farming, and Boone County's diverse agricultural base of cattle, corn, soybeans, and horses comes together at a well-organized fair serving one of Missouri's most educated and diverse communities. Dating to 1835, it is one of Missouri's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Clermont County Fair in Owensville draws from one of the fastest-growing counties in the Cincinnati metro area, blending suburban energy with a strong agricultural tradition in the rolling hills east of Cincinnati. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Lorain County Fair in Wellington has been a summer staple in northeastern Ohio since 1835, making it one of the state's oldest county fairs. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured throughout the week.

The Butler County Fair is one of the oldest in southwestern Ohio, held annually in Hamilton. Dating to 1835, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. It draws families from across the region for a week of agriculture, harness racing, and classic fair entertainment.

The Wood County Fair in Bowling Green is one of northwestern Ohio's premier summer events, drawing visitors from across the region. Dating to 1837, it is one of Ohio's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is featured throughout the week.