Visiting the The Great Frederick Fair each year is just what we do for us Fredericktonians.
Even the Frederick County Public School system gives school children a day off during Frederick Fair Week.
That way, everyone in the whole family gets a chance to thoroughly enjoy it before the week is up.
After all, The Great Frederick Fair has a very long, rich history, with over 161 years and counting!
In the words of it’s former President, Colby D. Hubble, “The Great Frederick Fair is the agricultural heart of Frederick County, a community gathering for socializing and a place for exhibitors to showcase and share their success.”
“Not only are there over 18,000 exhibits, a majority of which are by 4-H and FFA youth, volunteers, sponsors, employees and concessionaires, but also nearly 250,000 people visit the fair annually.”
Clearly, a great place to be is the Frederick Fairgrounds during Fair Week!
So, we decided to give YOU 10 reasons to visit The Great Frederick Fair!
The Great Frederick Fair: Why Everybody Should Go
1. Food At The Great Frederick Fair
Firstly, where else but the fair can you have a great excuse to enjoy all the latest fried concoctions and other fair food favorites like:
- Corn Dogs
- Funnel Cakes
- Pit Beef Sandwiches
- BBQ
- Ice Cream
- Cotton Candy
- Whoopie Pies
- Candy Apples
As a matter of fact, the food, for many people, is the best part and the main reason for going!
Our “biggest food line” award goes to Hemp’s Meats, a Frederick County full service country butcher shop located in Jefferson, Maryland.
Notably, Hemp’s Meats has been providing top quality meats to Frederick County since 1849!
Needless to say, they know what they’re doing!
2. Spirits
With Frederick County quickly becoming the go-to destination for wineries, breweries, and distilleries, The Great Frederick Fair is the perfect place to showcase them, along with a designated beer garden!
To get more specific information on Frederick County’s homegrown spirit offerings, check out my articles:
Clearly, there’s something for everyone in this showcase and the perfect way to sample the spirits that Frederick County has to offer!
3. Animals At The Great Frederick Fair
You absolutely cannot go to the Fair without taking advantage of the numerous free attractions including all of the amazing animals you’ll see!
You will find:
- Sheep
- Goats
- Swine
- Cattle
- Equine
- Poultry
- Alpacas
- Llamas
- Rabbits
Unquestionably, they’re all just so cute!!
Furthermore, there’s a birthing center, a milking facility, and shearing and spinning demos.
So much family fun to be had!
4. Competitions
There are so many fun competitions throughout the 9 days.
For an easy reference, go to their daily Schedule of Events page for all of the goings-on!
Particularly, for competitions, entries are judged in the categories of:
- Spirits
- 4-H Baked Goods
- Home Arts & Crafts
- Farm & Garden
- Plan & Plant
- Garden & Field Crop
Also, here are just a few contests going on during Fair week:
- Equine Showcase/Expo
- 4-H/FFA Pretty Cow Contest
- Rabbit Judging
- Horse Pull
- Texas Roadhouse Eating Contest
5. Demonstrations At The Great Frederick Fair
Not demonstrations are animal related.
There are also demonstrations in the categories of:
- Home Arts & Crafts
- Farm & Garden
- Sulky to Saddle Tack Room Display
- FCPS S.T.E.M. Showcase
- Huntsman & Hounds
Indeed, it’s a great way of seeing how hard all of the participants have worked all year to show off their skills to the community.
6. Cool Tractors & Cars
This happens to be my husband’s favorite part of The Great Frederick Fair.
Along with being a vintage garden tractor and vintage car enthusiast, it goes without saying that the Fair is the perfect place to go to see all things on wheels!
From small vintage garden tractors to HUGE combines, you will be able to peruse tractors to your heart’s content.
Along with tractors, there’s also a Parade of Antique Cars on Old Fashioned Day.
7. Races At The The Great Frederick Fair
The Fair has races throughout the entire 9 days of its annual event.
Undoubtedly, with Horse Pulls, Demolition Derbies, Harness Racing, Kids Harness Pedal Races, and Tractor & Truck Pulls, the excitement never ends.
8. Rides
The carnival rides are always a hit with fairgoers of all ages!
Just to name a few, the midway rides included are:
- Ferris Wheel
- Classic Carousel
- Full Tilt
- Tilt-a-Whirl
- Fun Slide
Incidentally, The Great Frederick Fair has welcomed Reithoffer Shows for over 29 years.
Without a doubt, there are plenty of thrill rides, kiddie rides, and even rides for those of us who prefer something tame.
9. Grandstand Events At The Great Frederick Fair
The big acts and big names each year are fan favorites who never disappoint!
For example, one year I went to see Loretta Lynn perform live.
Clearly, it was a never-forget experience.
10. Specials
Lastly, there are so many opportunities during the 9 days of The Great Frederick Fair to enjoy special discounts off the price of admission:
- Senior Citizen Days
- Military Day
- The Lunch Bunch
- Fair Day
- Carload Special
General Admission tickets can also purchased in advance:
- Jack Pass: $30 each ONE single admission & carnival ride wristband
- Retail Mega Passes can be found at Weis Markets. Each $30 Mega Pass grants one admission and unlimited rides on ANY one day of the Fair
Note that any free admission offers do not include the cost to park your vehicle.
Finally, be sure to check The Great Frederick Fair website for days and times for all of these offers.
Hope to see you at the Fair!
Need more ideas for things to do in Frederick?
Check out our posts on:
Free Things to Do in Frederick Md During the Summer
Fun Date Night Ideas in Frederick, MD
Kids Eat Free in Frederick, Maryland
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- Maryland Crab Macaroni and Cheese - October 24, 2023
- 17 Best Outdoor Breweries in Maryland - October 18, 2023
I am sure that a lot of people may find me a tad pathetic but…I have lived in Frederick since 10/31/1992 (Montgomery County transplant). In 1994, my then-fiance took me to the GFF on a date. For reasons that remain a mystery to me, I have NEVER been to the fair since then This includes the fact that I have two sons, born in 1997 and 2000, respectively, and I have never taken them to the fair. While not opposed to going, if I were to win the tickets, I would give them to my sons with my warm wishes for a great time. <3
We can’t wait to take our first trip to the fair!!
We love going to see all the animals and art! A family favorite!
I would love to take my son to the fair for his first visit. My daughter absolutely loves visiting all of the animals at the fair and her favorite animals to see are the pigs. I love getting a root beer.
I love taking the kids to see all the animals, especially the birthing center.
Love taking my kids to the fair!
Would love to take my kids to the fair this year
We love spening time as a family and the Fair helps bring us together!
Eat all the food!
Taking grandkids to the fair is a day we look forward to every year!
I love the Frederick Fair but I love even more seeing my grandsons so excite to see the farm animals. Can’t wait to go again with them this year!
Would love to take my kids for their first Frederick fair event! To see all the animals, lights, and games! They would love it!
We’ve gone every year with our kids who are now grown. This year we start to take my 14 month old granddaughter!!!
It is my Anniversary on opening night so would love to celebrate it at the Fair!
Love visiting the animals and the exhibits. And, the food selection is great!
I love checking out the exhibits in the 4-H building.
We live going to the fair as a family and having the kids go on the rides and see all of the animals.
Our family loves going to The Great Frederick Fair.
We enjoy going through the 4-H and FFA buildings checking out all the different exhibits and fair entries. As well as watching some of the livestock shows.
Would love to win. Love hemp food an taking my granddaughter to see the animals
We love going to the fair! Every year, I take my daughter for a special Mother/daughter day. It makes great memories and every year we look forward to it!!
I loved going to the dairy when I was younger. Now love taking the grandkids would be great. Haven’t been in a few years.
I would love to be able to take my girls and son! They are getting older and I don’t have much time to spend spend with them as I’d like too. I bust my butt to provide and my son will be leaving in December it would just Ben nice to win !! Good luck all