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Arlington County Fair
Food and fun draw thousands to the annual Arlington County Fair, one of the largest free events on the East Coast. This year's events will take place August 13-17!
It may be a small county, but big fun is on tap at the Arlington County Fair, straddling the Ballston and Columbia Pike neighborhoods.
Each year for one week in mid-August, Arlington’s Thomas Jefferson Community & Fitness Center is transformed into a festive hub of activities — from live outdoor music to carnival rides and games to food vendors (think: funnel cakes and deep-fried candy bars). One of the largest free events on the East Coast, the fair has been providing classic fair activities and entertainment for more than 40 years, attracting some 80,000 people annually.
County Fair Highlights:
Entertainment Tent
Tap your toes to stage performances by local and regional artists in the Entertainment Tent. Take a seat under the tent, grab some food for a picnic and cheer on the performers.
Pie Eating Championship
Go hands free, literally, at the Pie Eating Championship that requires participants to eat one slice of pie with no hands. Talk about feeding your face! The first three contestants in each age group to finish everything on their plates are winners.
Kids Court
Let the kiddies indulge in all the free activities they want at the Kids Court, such as interactive games, coloring, face painting, obstacle courses, bounce houses, and more.
Midway
Calling all thrill seekers! Cole Shows Amusement Company will return to the Arlington County Fair to provide amusement rides and midway games for all ages.
Shopping
Dodge the heat in the air-conditioned gymnasium and stroll through aisles of local vendors. Sample local honey, support local artists, and engage with small business owners.
More About County Fair
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