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. With roots going back to 1765, it's among Pennsylvania's oldest continuously held fairs.

The Brooklyn Fair is one of the oldest continuously running fairs in America, celebrating over 215 years of agricultural tradition in northeastern Connecticut. The fair traces back to 1809, making it one of Connecticut's longest-running agricultural 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. Held north of Columbus, it draws upwards of 400,000 visitors over its week-long run. The fair is nationally famous as the home of the Little Brown Jug — one of harness racing's Triple Crown races — drawing 35,000 to 40,000 spectators on Little Brown Jug Thursday alone.

The Jefferson County Fair, based in Watertown, is a six-day North Country tradition drawing Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence region families for livestock competition and fair entertainment each July.

Held annually in Wooster, the Wayne County Fair is one of Ohio's oldest, dating to 1818. With roots going back to 1818, it's among Ohio's oldest continuously held fairs. 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 draws a strong following at the fair.

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 ranks among Maine's oldest agricultural fairs. 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 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. Its history stretches back to 1818, placing it among Massachusetts's oldest agricultural fairs. 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.

Every year, Hamburg hosts the Erie County Fair, which 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. It's been held since 1820, one of New York's most enduring county fair traditions.

Held annually in Burton, the Geauga County Fair is one of the oldest continuously operating county fairs in Ohio, with a history stretching back to 1823. It's been held since 1823, one of Ohio's most enduring county fair traditions. Set in the maple syrup country of the Western Reserve, it draws visitors from across northeastern Ohio. The fair features harness racing as part of its lineup.

Held annually in Davisburg, the Oakland County Fair 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. The fair traces back to 1830, making it one of Michigan's longest-running agricultural traditions.

In Wellington, the Lorain County Fair has been a summer staple in northeastern Ohio since 1835, making it one of the state's oldest county fairs. Founded in 1835, it stands as one of Ohio's most enduring agricultural fair traditions. Harness racing is a featured event.

Owensville is home to the Clermont County Fair, which 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. Founded in 1835, it stands as one of Ohio's most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

In Columbia, the Boone County Fair 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. It's been held since 1835, one of Missouri's most enduring county fair traditions.

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

Held annually in Marshall, the Clark County Fair is a six-day early-August celebration in Clark County, the second of two Clark County fairs serving the agricultural communities of this southeastern Illinois county.