The Great Frederick Fair: 10 Reasons to Visit

Last updated on September 11th, 2024

Visiting the The Great Frederick Fair each year is just what we do for us Fredericktonians.

Even the Frederick County Public School system gives school children a day off during Frederick Fair Week.

That way, everyone in the whole family gets a chance to thoroughly enjoy it before the week is up.

After all, The Great Frederick Fair has a very long, rich history, with over 161 years and counting!

In the words of it’s former President, Colby D. Hubble, “The Great Frederick Fair is the agricultural heart of Frederick County, a community gathering for socializing and a place for exhibitors to showcase and share their success.”

“Not only are there over 18,000 exhibits, a majority of which are by 4-H and FFA youth, volunteers, sponsors, employees and concessionaires, but also nearly 250,000 people visit the fair annually.”

Clearly, a great place to be is the Frederick Fairgrounds during Fair Week!

So, we decided to give YOU 10 reasons to visit The Great Frederick Fair!

The Great Frederick Fair: Why Everybody Should Go

1. Food At The Great Frederick Fair

Firstly, where else but the fair can you have a great excuse to enjoy all the latest fried concoctions and other fair food favorites like:

• Corn Dogs
• Funnel Cakes
• Pit Beef Sandwiches
• BBQ
• Ice Cream
• Cotton Candy
• Whoopie Pies
• Candy Apples

As a matter of fact, the food, for many people, is the best part and the main reason for going!

Our “biggest food line” award goes to Hemp’s Meats, a Frederick County full service country butcher shop located in Jefferson, Maryland.

Notably, Hemp’s Meats has been providing top quality meats to Frederick County since 1849!

Needless to say, they know what they’re doing!

2. Spirits

With Frederick County quickly becoming the go-to destination for wineries, breweries, and distilleries, The Great Frederick Fair is the perfect place to showcase them, along with a designated beer garden!

To get more specific information on Frederick County’s homegrown spirit offerings, check out my articles:

• Wineries in Frederick Md
• Best Breweries in Frederick
• Frederick Distilleries

Clearly, there’s something for everyone in this showcase and the perfect way to sample the spirits that Frederick County has to offer!

3. Animals At The Great Frederick Fair

You absolutely cannot go to the Fair without taking advantage of the numerous free attractions including all of the amazing animals you’ll see!

You will find:

• Sheep
• Goats
• Swine
• Cattle
• Equine
• Poultry
• Alpacas
• Llamas
• Rabbits

Unquestionably, they’re all just so cute!!

Furthermore, there’s a birthing center, a milking facility, and shearing and spinning demos.

So much family fun to be had!

4. Competitions

There are so many fun competitions throughout the 9 days.

For an easy reference, go to their daily Schedule of Events page for all of the goings-on!

Particularly, for competitions, entries are judged in the categories of:

• Spirits
• 4-H Baked Goods
• Home Arts & Crafts
• Farm & Garden
• Plan & Plant
• Garden & Field Crop

Also, here are just a few contests going on during Fair week:

• Equine Showcase/Expo
• 4-H/FFA Pretty Cow Contest
• Rabbit Judging
• Horse Pull
• Texas Roadhouse Eating Contest

5. Demonstrations At The Great Frederick Fair

Not demonstrations are animal related.

There are also demonstrations in the categories of:

• Home Arts & Crafts
• Farm & Garden
• Sulky to Saddle Tack Room Display
• FCPS S.T.E.M. Showcase
• Huntsman & Hounds

Indeed, it’s a great way of seeing how hard all of the participants have worked all year to show off their skills to the community.

6. Cool Tractors & Cars

This happens to be my husband’s favorite part of The Great Frederick Fair.

Along with being a vintage garden tractor and vintage car enthusiast, it goes without saying that the Fair is the perfect place to go to see all things on wheels!

From small vintage garden tractors to HUGE combines, you will be able to peruse tractors to your heart’s content.

Along with tractors, there’s also a Parade of Antique Cars on Old Fashioned Day.

7. Races At The The Great Frederick Fair

The Fair has races throughout the entire 9 days of its annual event.

Undoubtedly, with Horse Pulls, Demolition Derbies, Harness Racing, Kids Harness Pedal Races, and Tractor & Truck Pulls, the excitement never ends.

8. Rides

The carnival rides are always a hit with fairgoers of all ages!

Just to name a few, the midway rides included are:

• Ferris Wheel
• Classic Carousel
• Full Tilt
• Tilt-a-Whirl
• Fun Slide

Incidentally, The Great Frederick Fair has welcomed Reithoffer Shows for over 29 years.

Without a doubt, there are plenty of thrill rides, kiddie rides, and even rides for those of us who prefer something tame.

9. Grandstand Events At The Great Frederick Fair

The big acts and big names each year are fan favorites who never disappoint!

For example, one year I went to see Loretta Lynn perform live.

Clearly, it was a never-forget experience.

10. Specials

Lastly, there are so many opportunities during the 9 days of The Great Frederick Fair to enjoy special discounts off the price of admission:

Deals/Savings —
– Lunch Bunch, M – Th , 11 am – 2 pm – Free admission to come eat lunch!

• Sr. Days – M- W 9 am – 3 pm , age 65 and older
• Military day – Wed., 9 am – 6 pm – with military ID, admitted free
• Kids Day – 2^nd Fri. 9/20 — 9 am – 5 pm – Kids 18 and under free until 5 pm

www.thegreatfrederickfair.com/tickets — at the bottom shows all of these!!!!!

General Admission tickets can also purchased in advance:

• The Jack Pass – 1 single admission and 1 unlimited ride wristband, good any 1 day of the Fair, even Kid’s Day – $35 (use code GFF for $5 off)… sales end 1^st Friday 9/13 at 5 pm
  (Pro tip – kids 10 and under FREE admission every day so the adult COULD use the admission of this ticket and 10&under child could use the wristband)
• Advanced gate admission tickets $8 vs. $10 at the gate
• Concert/Motorsport tickets — purchased in advance includes gate admission day of the show. Buy online ETIX.Com the fair’s official ticket co. OR box office Tues/Thurs 10 am -2 pm , 301-695-3928  www.thegreatfrederickfair.com/grandstand for full lineup and ticket details. ***Make sure ETIX.com …. So you are not overcharged by 3^rd party/unofficial sites.
• Carload Special –Tues. 9/17 2 pm – Lot D only – up to 8 people, legally buckled in a vehicle… $60 for admission & unlimited ride wristbands for all the people (up to 8)  www.thegreatfrederickfair.com/carnival
• Retail Mega Passes can be found at Weis Markets. Each Mega Pass grants one admission and unlimited rides on ANY one day of the Fair. Be sure to call your local Weis Markets to ensure they offer the passes.

Note that any free admission offers do not include the cost to park your vehicle.

Finally, be sure to check The Great Frederick Fair website for days and times for all of these offers.

Hope to see you at the Fair!

Need more ideas for things to do in Frederick?

Check out our posts on:

Free Things to Do in Frederick Md During the Summer

Fun Date Night Ideas in Frederick, MD

Kids Eat Free in Frederick, Maryland