Youth, community, county and area fairs celebrate the state’s agricultural heritage and act as our “largest outdoor classroom.” Fairs showcase arts, crafts, food, science, technology, home arts, animals, history, and more. They provide a place where our youth can exhibit their knowledge of and quality care for their animals and livestock. It’s a place where community comes together. 

For many Washingtonians, going to the fair is a tradition for the entire family. If it’s spring, summer or fall in Washington, it’s fairs season. With nearly 70 fairs and shows around the state, you don’t have to travel far to join in the fun.



The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) also loves the state’s fairs. The department administers the Fairs Commission, an eight-member advisory committee reporting to the WSDA director. Commissioners evaluate fairs, help prepare merit rating used to determine fairs allocations, and serve as ambassadors of the department.

It’s estimated more than 3.3 million people visited Washington’s fairs in 2019.

• 68,000 people exhibited at the fair
  • Of those, over 43,095 were youth;
• 5,600 volunteers gave more than 136,000 hours of time to the community representing a estimated value of $4.5 million.
• Fairgoers got to see 306,294 still-life exhibits; and
• 187,349 animal exhibits.

Fairs created more than 3,200 jobs statewide and $397 million in business revenue to the state economy in 2019 alone.

Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Legislature recognize the importance of Washington’s fairgrounds. During the pandemic, county fairs were used as vaccination centers; during wildfires, fairs are used to shelter people and livestock; and during the summer months, fairs educate the public about the importance of agriculture in our lives and to our state’s economy.

Capital Grant Award Recipients (23-25 biennium)

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