Great American State Fair opens in DC with flyovers, Ferris wheel for America 250

Summer's here, and that means Americans are marking their calendars for authorities just season.

On Thursday, the Great American State Fair kicks disconnected connected the National Mall successful Washington, D.C., a monolithic lawsuit that officials picture arsenic a "modern-day World's Fair," according to its website.

The event, which is escaped and unfastened to the public, volition diagnostic much than 150 exhibits representing each states and U.S. territories — arsenic good arsenic a gigantic Ferris wheel.

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Attendees tin research authorities pavilions and manufacture displays portion enjoying family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, unrecorded philharmonic performances and subject ensembles, according to its website, arsenic good arsenic regular taste programming and aerial flyovers.

For those extracurricular the Beltway, immoderate of the nation's astir iconic authorities fairs connection their ain blend of food, amusement and section traditions.

Organizers picture the Great American State Fair arsenic a modern-day World's Fair celebrating America's 250th anniversary. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Here's a look astatine standout fairs from six regions of the state arsenic America celebrates its 250th anniversary.

Northeast: The Big E (Massachusetts)

The Big E, the largest just successful the Northeast, describes itself arsenic the fourth-largest just successful North America.

The lawsuit "offers a divers and vibrant acquisition to visitors from passim the country," according to its website.

"Attendees tin bask hours of escaped amusement and attractions, terrific food, positive the champion that New England — and beyond — has to offer," the website says.

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"Highlights see authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras successful The Big Parade, an immersive Ireland escapade successful the International Plaza’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase, North American Midway, arsenic good arsenic countless acquisition opportunities, from the Avenue of States to Storrowton Village Museum, Farm-A-Rama and more."

The just runs successful West Springfield, Massachusetts, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, 2026.

The Big E successful West Springfield, Massachusetts, draws visitors from crossed New England with food, amusement and determination exhibits. (Getty Images/John Atashian)

South: North Carolina State Fair

The North Carolina State Fair is held astatine the North Carolina State Fairgrounds successful Raleigh.

The fair, which is besides an cultivation exposition, is simply a long-running contented that began successful 1853.

Tar Heel State officials accidental that past year's authorities just attracted 946,811 attendees.

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"The just creates an acquisition unsocial to North Carolina and is an unparalleled value, with escaped entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless household activities, competitions, vendors and originative deep-fried delights," the event's website reads.

The North Carolina State Fair takes spot from Oct. 15 to Oct. 25, 2026.

The North Carolina State Fair has been a Tar Heel State contented since 1853, featuring agriculture, rides and household activities. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)

Midwest: Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair's website describes the lawsuit arsenic "one of the astir fashionable tourer destinations successful the region."

The lawsuit is held successful the metropolis of Falcon Heights adjacent St. Paul and often attracts up to 2 cardinal visitors per year.

"What began successful 1855 arsenic a territorial just to item agriculture and promote farming successful the portion became the Minnesota State Fair successful 1859, a twelvemonth aft Minnesota was granted statehood," the website says.

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"The State Fair’s ngo is to amended and impact our guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining and fun," the website says.

The Minnesota State Fair takes spot from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7 this year.

The Minnesota State Fair attracts up to 2 cardinal visitors annually and remains 1 of the region's astir fashionable destinations. (iStock)

Southwest: State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is held annually astatine Fair Park successful Dallas, Texas, and runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 this year.

"Since its constitution successful 1886, the State Fair of Texas has promoted Texas agriculture, acquisition and assemblage engagement done prime amusement successful a family-friendly environment," the authorities fair's website reads.

"At 24 consecutive days, the State Fair of Texas is the longest-running just successful the nation, arsenic good arsenic 1 of the largest."

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Texas officials accidental the just "serves not lone arsenic an yearly celebration, but arsenic a unsocial destination that brings radical from each walks of beingness unneurotic to make lifelong memories."

The just is possibly champion known for Big Tex, its iconic 55-foot-tall cowboy mascot, and its ever-expanding lineup of deep-fried foods.

The State Fair of Texas combines cultivation exhibits, unrecorded amusement and immoderate of the just industry's astir celebrated fried foods. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

West Coast: California State Fair

The California State Fair takes spot from July 17 to Aug. 2, 2026.

This year's just promises "rides, unrecorded concerts [and] strolling performing acts," according to its website.

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The just besides features a Commercial Wine Competition, wherever wineries showcase immoderate of California's apical vintages, arsenic good arsenic cultivation exhibits, livestock competitions and unrecorded entertainment.

Food offerings see classical just staples specified arsenic funnel cakes, maize dogs and barbecue, on with California-inspired fare similar food tacos and poke bowls.

Visitors to the California State Fair tin bask classical just nutrient on with California-inspired dishes and unrecorded performances. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Mountain West/Plains: Nebraska State Fair

Held annually successful Grand Island, Nebraska, the Nebraska State Fair is 1 of the premier cultivation events successful the Great Plains.

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The just features concerts, carnival rides, nutrient vendors and family-friendly attractions, arsenic good arsenic livestock competitions and cultivation exhibits.

The Nebraska State Fair successful Grand Island highlights agriculture, livestock competitions and family-friendly attractions. (iStock)

According to the fair's website, visitors tin drawback a assortment of escaped amusement this year, including performances by state vocal radical Home Free, Christian creator Phil Wickham and disco legends KC & The Sunshine Band.

The just volition tally from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7, 2026.