State fair roundup: Celebrity cow milking, bears on skateboards
There's no better way to celebrate the kickoff of autumn than a trip to your nearest state fair. With cook-offs, carnival rides, livestock shows and food like corny dogs, cotton candy and popcorn, state fairs are quintessential Americana. We've put together a list of the best state fairs throughout the USA.
SOUTHEAST
Tennessee State Fair: September 6-15
Biggest Surprise: Celebrity Cow Milking
Nashville's Tennessee State Fair will treat beer-loving visitors to the first annual Taste of Tennessee Craft Brewers Festival, sure to be a big hit. Also on deck: a Two-Crust Apple Pie contest, celebrity cow milking, live music, rides, a livestock show and equine exhibits.
South Carolina State Fair: October 9-20
Biggest surprise: 75-ton Sand Sculpture
Space nuts going to Columbia's South Carolina State Fair are excited to be greeted by its landmark rocket, an actual ballistic missile designed by Dr. Wernher Von Braun. This fair mostly keeps it down to earth, however, featuring a famous 75-ton sand sculpture, live entertainment, a petting zoo, competitive events and agricultural exhibits.
Arkansas State Fair: October 11-20
Biggest surprise: Fairgrounds robot
Little Rock's Arkansas State Fair is full of eye openers. There are trick dog shows, pig races, daily beauty pageants and a 9-foot robot that roams the fairgrounds. As if that weren't enough to inspire a visit, attendees can also take in PBR bull riding, competitive livestock shows and live music.
North Carolina State Fair: October 17-27
Biggest surprise: Field of Dreams
Located in Raleigh, the North Carolina State Fair is home to the popular Raleigh Flea Market. It also offers a full slate of entertainment, family-friendly activities (Village of Yesteryear) and countless colorful agricultural exhibits, such as the Field of Dreams and a Flower and Garden Show.
Louisiana State Fair: October 24-November 10
Biggest Surprise: High Dive Show
Shreveport's annual Louisiana State Fair has an exciting calendar for this year. Sharknado fans will want to schedule their visit to coincide with the fair's live shark spectacle, while a high dive show will surely thrill as well. The fair also offers up the biggest livestock show and carnival in Louisiana (and its a popular venue for football games).
Georgia State Fair: October 25-November 3
Biggest Surprise: Monkeys racing on dogs
Held every year in Macon, the Georgia State Fair offers a huge carnival midway; monkeys racing on dogs in the aptly named Banana Derby; a sea lion show; and the best of fair cuisine: funnel cakes and corny dogs. Just 83 miles from the heart of Atlanta, this southern state fair is easy to reach and packed with diversions.
MID ATLANTIC
Virginia State Fair: September 27-October 6
Biggest Surprise: Antique Tractor Pull
Located in Caroline County (near Charlottesville and Fredericksburg), the Virginia State Fair has a full roster of blue-ribbon competitions: horse shows, an antique tractor pull, demolition derby and a marching band championship cup. This fair – more traditional than many - aims to increase awareness of natural resources and agriculture. In addition, it will feature fine arts and crafts and educational exhibits.
NORTHEAST
Massachusetts State Fair (aka The Big E): September 13-29
Biggest surprise: New Cheese and Wine Barn
The largest fair in the Northeast, West Springfield's Massachusetts State Fair is where fairgoers line up for the popular B E Cream Puff & Craz-E Burger. The popular Big E lineup also includes competitions for butter sculptors and sugar cake maestros. Love horses? There's something for you, too.
New York State Fair: August 22-September 2
Biggest surprise: 180-ton sand sculpture
This 12-day fair in Syracuse is the oldest state fair in the U.S., and one of the largest. Fairgoers enjoy numerous concerts and shows; a midway; and animals galore, with a petting zoo and circus.
CENTRAL PLAINS
Kansas State Fair: September 6-15
Biggest Surprise: Pig Races
The Kansas State Fair, held in Hutchinson, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. This fair has a ton of competitions and its more traditional shows (llamas, rabbits, milking demonstrations) are offset by a surprising bear show.
Oklahoma State Fair: September 12-22
Biggest Surprise: Barnyard Birthing Center
Oklahoma City's annual event makes the whole family happy with Disney on Ice, Xtreme bull riding, concerts, and diverse competitions, from livestock and arm wrestling to wine and creative arts. Some of the most popular exhibits are the Centennial Frontier Experience, the City of AGtropolis, and a Barnyard Birthing Center.
SOUTHWEST
Colorado State Fair: August 23-September 2
Biggest Surprise: Bears on Skateboards
Pueblo's Colorado State Fair and Rodeo has a huge rodeo as its main draw, fitting for the state synonymous with cowboys. Some of the more unusual free attractions include butter sculpture, a stunt dog show, and kids' fishing. The most unique thing in the lineup might be a show in which bears ride skateboards and climb ladders. Fairgoers will also find carnival rides, agricultural exhibits and a livestock show.
Utah State Fair: September 5-15
Biggest Surprise: The Price is Right Live
Held in Salt Lake City, the Utah State Fair features a demolition derby, truck pull, rodeo, and agriculture, creative arts, home arts, cook-offs, livestock and 4-H food and clothing exhibits. This popular attraction is known for its entertainment lineup, which includes Amy Grant, Plain White T's, Poncho Sanchez, and The Price is Right Live in 2013.
New Mexico State Fair: September 11-22
Biggest surprise: Daily Parades
Celebrating 75 years this fall, Albuquerque's New Mexico State Fair is known for its regional food – that's right, think green chiles. The fair also has a variety of agricultural and livestock competitions and exhibits, a midway and daily parades.
Texas State Fair: September 27-October 20
Biggest surprise: Fried Coke
Everything's bigger in Texas and the State Fair in Dallas doesn't disappoint. Its 3 million annual visitors come for the fried food (fried coke, fried twinkies, fried King Ranch casserole, etc.), auto show, livestock competitions, and a ride on the biggest ferris wheel in North America.
Arizona State Fair: October 11-November 3
Biggest Surprise: Goat Costume Contest
Held in Phoenix every year, more than 1 million people visit this Top 5 state fair every year. Along with standard fair fare (livestock shows, midway rides, etc.), it features a variety of unique competitions, such as the Spam cooking contest, goat costume and diaper derby.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Washington State Fair: September 6-22
Biggest Surprise: Bavarian Beer Garden
Located south of Seattle, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, the Washington State Fair just about has it all –animal exhibits, a petting zoo, rides, free music and entertainment, a tractor pull , a rodeo and – when you're ready for a break – the Bavarian Beer Garden. The fair's new Green Marketplace, featuring local artisans, is open this year.