Amazing State Fairs You Should Visit This Summer
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
Talk about a fair summer day! Welcome to MojoTravels and today we'll be counting down our picks for 5 Summer State Fairs You Should Visit in 2019
For this list, we're taking a look at state fairs across the U.S. that you should check out this summer season.
For this list, we're taking a look at state fairs across the U.S. that you should check out this summer season.
5 Summer State Fairs You Should Visit in 2019
Talk about a fair summer day! Welcome to MojoTravels and today we’ll be counting down our picks for 5 Summer State Fairs You Should Visit in 2019
For this list, we’re taking a look at state fairs across the U.S. that you should check out this summer season.
California State Fair
July 12-July 28
From Disneyland to Universal Studios, California is home to some of the most iconic amusement parks in the world. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Golden State puts on a fine fair. The California State Fair was first held in 1854 to raise awareness of the farm industry and has regularly taken place at Cal Expo in Sacramento since 1968. In 2009, the fair teamed up with Butler Amusements, which took charge of the rides and games. A flagship attraction on the fairgrounds is the monorail that welcomes guests at the front gate. In addition to traditional carnival rides, the fair attracts nearly a million visitors every year with its horse racing, livestock contests, and extreme sporting events. One of the biggest draws in 2019 is the Toyota Concert Series, featuring music acts like Plain White T’s, TLC, and Martina McBride, just to name a few. With fireworks held on Friday and Saturday nights through the month, the California State Fair takes Fourth of July festivities well into overtime.
Montana State Fair
July 26-August 3
The Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, such as agricultural exhibits and basketball games. The most significant festivity, however, is the Montana State Fair, which celebrates its 88th anniversary in 2019. With a horse racing track, the fairgrounds are the ideal place to hold the Big Sky Pro Rodeo, and the Mighty Thomas Carnival transforms the area into a wonderful dream land that’ll charm children and bring out any adult visitor’s inner child. A notable highlight is the Star Tower, a swing ride that stretches 90 feet into the sky. The Black Out is a similar ride that places passengers in rotating, flipping gondolas, 80 feet off the ground. You’ll also feel on top of the world at the fair’s concerts, featuring acts like Collective Soul, The Four Tops, Tracy Byrd, and Hairball. If Montana is the Treasure State then this fair is the crown jewel.
Iowa State Fair
August 8-18
When the Iowa State Fair was originally held in 1854, it only had a budget of roughly around $323. Since then, it’s evolved into one of the defining fairs in the entire country. More than a million people visit Des Moines every year for top tier carnival rides and performances. The 435-acre fairgrounds are occupied by three thrill parks that put an emphasis on pumping adrenaline. Free entertainment can be found at the various stages and amphitheater. For those willing to pay a larger fee, however, Grandstand Entertainment includes shows by the Chainsmokers, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and Hootie & the Blowfish. A major symbol of the fair is the Butter Cow, which J.K. Daniels first sculpted in 1911. Over the years, 4 more individuals have molded their own Butter Cows with Sarah Pratt being the most recent sculptor. Whether it’s in a unique food dish, an adventurous attraction, or 600 pounds of butter, this fair brings out inspiration everywhere you look.
Vermont State Fair
August 13-17
Although it was once a staple of September, the Vermont State Fair has been moved to late August in recent years, closing out summer on a high note. With 2019 marking its 173rd anniversary, this is one of the country’s oldest fairs, as well as one of the most cherished. For 163 of those years, the fair has been held annually at 175 South Main Street in Rutland. While the fairgrounds are overrun with quality carnival cuisine, two of the most prominent eateries are Roxie’s Famous French Fries and The MSJ Green Wave Café. Rosaire’s Racing Pigs continues the fair’s longstanding tradition of livestock competitions and Woodbooger Demolition Derby will get anyone’s blood pumping. Vermont is best known for its green mountains, but this fair brings out every color of the rainbow.
Nebraska State Fair
August 23-September 2
2019 is an especially special year for the Nebraska State Fair, being its 150th birthday. You can expect Grand Island to go all out to commemorate this landmark. While the younger crowd will be enticed by the fair’s pony rides and petting zoo, older audiences will be sucked in by the comedic illusions of Tyzen the hypnotist. On the concert front, Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris, and Little Big Town are just a couple names who’ll bring out Nebraska’s country vibes. Other events include a BMC stunt show, glass-blowing, a ranch rodeo, and tributes to legendary musicians like Elvis. Such entertainment wouldn’t be complete without a slice from Valentino’s pizza and some State Fair Ale to wash it down. With the fair annually ending on Labor Day, we can’t think of a better way to let loose before going back to work.
Talk about a fair summer day! Welcome to MojoTravels and today we’ll be counting down our picks for 5 Summer State Fairs You Should Visit in 2019
For this list, we’re taking a look at state fairs across the U.S. that you should check out this summer season.
California State Fair
July 12-July 28
From Disneyland to Universal Studios, California is home to some of the most iconic amusement parks in the world. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Golden State puts on a fine fair. The California State Fair was first held in 1854 to raise awareness of the farm industry and has regularly taken place at Cal Expo in Sacramento since 1968. In 2009, the fair teamed up with Butler Amusements, which took charge of the rides and games. A flagship attraction on the fairgrounds is the monorail that welcomes guests at the front gate. In addition to traditional carnival rides, the fair attracts nearly a million visitors every year with its horse racing, livestock contests, and extreme sporting events. One of the biggest draws in 2019 is the Toyota Concert Series, featuring music acts like Plain White T’s, TLC, and Martina McBride, just to name a few. With fireworks held on Friday and Saturday nights through the month, the California State Fair takes Fourth of July festivities well into overtime.
Montana State Fair
July 26-August 3
The Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, such as agricultural exhibits and basketball games. The most significant festivity, however, is the Montana State Fair, which celebrates its 88th anniversary in 2019. With a horse racing track, the fairgrounds are the ideal place to hold the Big Sky Pro Rodeo, and the Mighty Thomas Carnival transforms the area into a wonderful dream land that’ll charm children and bring out any adult visitor’s inner child. A notable highlight is the Star Tower, a swing ride that stretches 90 feet into the sky. The Black Out is a similar ride that places passengers in rotating, flipping gondolas, 80 feet off the ground. You’ll also feel on top of the world at the fair’s concerts, featuring acts like Collective Soul, The Four Tops, Tracy Byrd, and Hairball. If Montana is the Treasure State then this fair is the crown jewel.
Iowa State Fair
August 8-18
When the Iowa State Fair was originally held in 1854, it only had a budget of roughly around $323. Since then, it’s evolved into one of the defining fairs in the entire country. More than a million people visit Des Moines every year for top tier carnival rides and performances. The 435-acre fairgrounds are occupied by three thrill parks that put an emphasis on pumping adrenaline. Free entertainment can be found at the various stages and amphitheater. For those willing to pay a larger fee, however, Grandstand Entertainment includes shows by the Chainsmokers, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and Hootie & the Blowfish. A major symbol of the fair is the Butter Cow, which J.K. Daniels first sculpted in 1911. Over the years, 4 more individuals have molded their own Butter Cows with Sarah Pratt being the most recent sculptor. Whether it’s in a unique food dish, an adventurous attraction, or 600 pounds of butter, this fair brings out inspiration everywhere you look.
Vermont State Fair
August 13-17
Although it was once a staple of September, the Vermont State Fair has been moved to late August in recent years, closing out summer on a high note. With 2019 marking its 173rd anniversary, this is one of the country’s oldest fairs, as well as one of the most cherished. For 163 of those years, the fair has been held annually at 175 South Main Street in Rutland. While the fairgrounds are overrun with quality carnival cuisine, two of the most prominent eateries are Roxie’s Famous French Fries and The MSJ Green Wave Café. Rosaire’s Racing Pigs continues the fair’s longstanding tradition of livestock competitions and Woodbooger Demolition Derby will get anyone’s blood pumping. Vermont is best known for its green mountains, but this fair brings out every color of the rainbow.
Nebraska State Fair
August 23-September 2
2019 is an especially special year for the Nebraska State Fair, being its 150th birthday. You can expect Grand Island to go all out to commemorate this landmark. While the younger crowd will be enticed by the fair’s pony rides and petting zoo, older audiences will be sucked in by the comedic illusions of Tyzen the hypnotist. On the concert front, Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris, and Little Big Town are just a couple names who’ll bring out Nebraska’s country vibes. Other events include a BMC stunt show, glass-blowing, a ranch rodeo, and tributes to legendary musicians like Elvis. Such entertainment wouldn’t be complete without a slice from Valentino’s pizza and some State Fair Ale to wash it down. With the fair annually ending on Labor Day, we can’t think of a better way to let loose before going back to work.
