The Great American State Fair

My wife and I have a goal of visiting every state fair in America, and so far we've attended 32 different state fairs. When we first read about the Great American State Fair, we immediately added it to our bucket list. A fair that brings together all 50 states and the U.S. territories in one place to celebrate our nation's birthday is a unique concept, and we didn't want to miss the opportunity. Because of family commitments, this may end up being the only fair we attend this season, so we're especially glad we made the trip.

One of our favorite features was the Passport Challenge, which encouraged visitors to explore every state and territory exhibit. It was a fun way to experience the entire fair and gave us a reason to stop at booths we might have otherwise passed by. It was interesting to see the wide range of creativity, effort, and resources each state invested in its display. Some exhibits were elaborate and interactive, while others were much simpler, but that variety was part of what made the experience interesting.

Overall, the fair felt like an event that had come together rather quickly. While there were occasional signs that the planning timeline may have been compressed, we appreciate the enormous undertaking required to organize something of this scale. We hope it returns in the future because the concept has tremendous potential.

We also enjoyed taking a ride on the Ferris wheel, where we happened to share our gondola with fellow North Carolinians—a fun and unexpected connection so far from home. The weather cooperated as well. It was warm, but noticeably more comfortable than the heat many experienced over the Fourth of July weekend.

The food selection was probably the biggest disappointment for us. After visiting so many state fairs, we've come to expect a wide variety of unique and regional fair foods, and this year's offerings felt somewhat limited. On the other hand, we were pleasantly surprised to find complimentary bottled water available throughout the fairgrounds, which was a thoughtful touch and much appreciated.

Another pleasant surprise was that admission to the fair was completely free. Since we stayed at a hotel near the Washington Metro, we were able to use public transportation, making getting to and from the fair simple and eliminating any parking concerns.

In the end, we're very glad we made the trip. The Great American State Fair is unlike any other fair we've attended, and while there is certainly room to grow, it offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the diversity of our nation in a single venue. If it returns in the future, we'd happily attend again to see how it evolves.