state fair
Annual rural exhibition
A state fair is a large annual exhibition showcasing a state's agriculture, livestock, crafts, and industries, typically featuring competitions, carnival rides, food vendors, and entertainment.
State fairs emerged in 19th-century America as celebrations of rural life and remain cultural traditions in many states: We go to the state fair every August for the fried food and pig races.
The term evokes Americana—blue ribbon competitions, Ferris wheels, and butter sculptures.
Highest competition award
- grand championTop prize winner
- judgingForming an opinion
- 4-HYouth agricultural extension program
- FFAAgricultural education organization
baking contest · pie contest · quilting · talent show · pageant · rodeo · demolition derby · tractor pull
Domesticated farm animals
- 4-HYouth agricultural extension program
- FFAAgricultural education organization
- cattleDomesticated bovines kept commercially
- swineDomestic porcine animals
sheep · goats · poultry · harvest · crops · tractors · farm equipment · ribbons
Battered frankfurter on stick
- funnel cakeFried batter lattice dessert
- turkey legPoultry thigh portion
- cotton candySpun sugar confection
- kettle cornSweetened popcorn variety
caramel apple · elephant ear · lemonade · snow cone · barbecue · cheese curds · corn on the cob · blooming onion
Rotating vertical amusement ride
- rollercoasterLooping amusement track vehicle
- tilt-a-whirlRotating fairground attraction
- carouselRevolving platform with seats
- bumper carsSteerable ride vehicles for crashing
swing ride · scrambler · zipper · drop tower · log flume · teacups · pirate ship · octopus
Tiered spectator seating structure
- concertLive musical performance
- fireworksExplosive light displays
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- demolition derbyCompetitive automotive destruction event
rodeo · tractor pull · monster trucks · hypnotist · magician · live music · stage · performers
Organized competitive activities
- barkersAggressive sidewalk promoters
- prizesAwards for achievement
- ring tossThrowing hoops onto targets
- balloon dartsPointed carnival game missiles
milk bottles · stuffed animals · clowns · face painting · caricature · henna · temporary tattoos · fortune teller
blue ribbon
Highest competition award
- grand championTop prize winner
- judgingForming an opinion
- 4-HYouth agricultural extension program
FFA · baking contest · pie contest · quilting · talent show · pageant · rodeo · demolition derby · tractor pull · entries
livestock
Domesticated farm animals
- 4-HYouth agricultural extension program
- FFAAgricultural education organization
- cattleDomesticated bovines kept commercially
swine · sheep · goats · poultry · harvest · crops · tractors · farm equipment · ribbons · breeding
corn dog
Battered frankfurter on stick
- funnel cakeFried batter lattice dessert
- turkey legPoultry thigh portion
- cotton candySpun sugar confection
kettle corn · caramel apple · elephant ear · lemonade · snow cone · barbecue · cheese curds · corn on the cob · blooming onion · fried pickles
ferris wheel
Rotating vertical amusement ride
- rollercoasterLooping amusement track vehicle
- tilt-a-whirlRotating fairground attraction
- carouselRevolving platform with seats
bumper cars · swing ride · scrambler · zipper · drop tower · log flume · teacups · pirate ship · octopus · kiddie rides
grandstand
Tiered spectator seating structure
demolition derby · rodeo · tractor pull · monster trucks · hypnotist · magician · live music · stage · performers · stunt show
games
Organized competitive activities
- barkersAggressive sidewalk promoters
- prizesAwards for achievement
- ring tossThrowing hoops onto targets
balloon darts · milk bottles · stuffed animals · clowns · face painting · caricature · henna · temporary tattoos · fortune teller · strength test
- summersummer, summertime, midsummer, summer solstice, solstice
- public eventsfestivals, festival, light shows, parades, carnival
- public gatheringspublic assembly, mass gathering, concert, gathering, festival
- rural festivalsharvest festival, corn festival, farm show, barn dance, hayride
- Seasonal Outingspumpkin patch, corn maze, apple picking, fall festival, harvest festival
- state fairsmidway, butter sculpture, grandstand, livestock shows, blue ribbon
fair, state, unfair, fairness, fairly, statement, stately, fairs, fairground