The Maryland State Fair is always held from August 26th and runs thru September 6th in Timonium. General hours are 10 AM – 10 PM on weekends and 12 Noon – 10 PM on weekdays.
Maryland State Fair Admission Prices are Adults ages 12+, $10; Seniors ages 62+, $8; Children 6+, $5; Children ages 5 and under, Free Admission. Rides are individually priced.
History of Maryland State Fair
The Agricultural Society of Baltimore County held the first Fair on September 9th and it ran thru the 12th in 1879. In the early years, the Fair saw tents and wooden structures in use to exhibit home arts, farm and garden products, and livestock shows. Horse races were held at the track, and results were forwarded to interested horsemen at Baltimore and Alexandria, VA, by way of carrier pigeon. Food concessions consisted of sandwiches made by the farmers’ wives, and amusements involved sideshows, sack races, and greased pole climbing.
In the Era of COVID-19
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society helped to combat the pandemic by utilizing the Fairgrounds and its facilities for state and county COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, multiple food drives, and American Red Cross emergency blood drives.
Despite the pandemic, the Maryland State Fairgrounds was still able to fulfill its agriculture education mission by holding a modified Maryland State Fair. The 2020 Maryland State Fair Youth Livestock Show enabled youth and open class livestock and horse exhibitors to participate in following COVID-19 safety precautions. While the general public was unable to attend, they were able to watch via Video Livestream.
The 12 Best Days of Summer
This year the 12 Best Days of Summer begin on Thursday, August 26, and run through Labor Day Monday, September 6 at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium. General hours are 10 AM – 10 PM on weekends and 12 Noon – 10 PM on weekdays. Fairgoers may arrive early for livestock and horse shows and remain late when Midway rides, games, and food stands are still open.
Maryland State Fair Home Arts and Farm & Garden buildings, barns, and Exhibition halls will be open from 12 Noon – 9 PM on weekdays, 10 AM – 9 PM on weekends, and 10 AM – 8 PM on Labor Day Monday.
Live Thoroughbred horse racing begins on Friday, August 27 with a special evening of Twilight racing starting at 3 PM. Post Time is set at 12:40 PM for the remainder of the meet, Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, and Friday, September 3 through Labor Day Monday, September 6.
