The Arlington County Fair is a summer family event complete with carnival games, live animal shows, music shows, arts and crafts displays, and a variety of international foods at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center fairgrounds in Arlington. , GOES .
Here, local artisans will display items such as sewing and clothing, dolls, photography, creative writing, flower arrangements and pottery, and on Saturday, there will be a parade to the fair that will begin outside the Arlington Career Center, continuing along the South Highland to 2nd Street South, then ending at the fairgrounds.
New and highly successful in 2017, you’ll have even more culinary delights to choose from with a wide range of food trucks. There will also be a “Photo of the Day” contest and a “Find the Disco Ball” contest (a tribute to the birth of the Fair in 1977) with prizes for the winners.
The dates this year are from Wednesday, August 15 to Sunday, August 19, and admission to the fair is free. Be sure to check the official website for more information on performances, schedules, and where to park.
Highlights of the Arlington County Fair
The Arlington County Fair is one of the largest in the region, which means there is plenty to see and do on your visit. From the racing piglets to the Harlem Wizards, this popular annual event has everything you want at a county fair.
The air-conditioned indoor showroom features an interactive aquarium area, indoor community entertainment, craft making, jewelry vendors, competitive exhibits, and a separate area for community and commercial exhibitors.
Outside, the Cole Amusement Midway hosts a number of exciting kiddie rides, games, and pony rides, including Catch N Air, Cliff Hanger, Rainforest Expo Wheel, Funnel Force, Hurricane, Super Shot, Tilt A Whirl, Zipper, Money Maze, Dizzy Dragons, Go Gator, Jolly Choo Choo, Jungle Crawl, Magic Carpet Slide, Skipper the Dolphin, and Willie the Whale.
The outdoor fun begins with the ribbon cutting at 5pm on Wednesday in front of the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, where there will be pony rides, a True Health Kids obstacle course and animal races. The following days will feature free musical performances, the Harlem Wizards, dancers, and other special exhibits.
Parking, participants and important information
There is no public parking at the Fair and parking on nearby streets is restricted to neighborhood residents with temporary permits. The community center parking lot will be used for fair vendors and exhibitors only.
The ferries will run continuously from the Ballston and Pentagon City subway station, and from the I-66 parking lot and the Arlington Race Center parking lot for a small round-trip fee (kids 12 and under can ride for free). Bike Arlington and its partner Two Wheel Valet typically team up to provide free valet parking at the tennis courts.
Although not yet announced for this year, typical fair participants include the U.S. Army Color Guard, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Arlington Combined Honor Guard, Arlington County Officials, Department Members County Fire Department, The Arlington Players, Audi Arlington, Bike Arlington / WalkArlington / Arlington PALS, the Civic Association, Pachamama Cultural Fraternity, Girl Scout Association troops, Merit School students, Mothers of North members Arlington, Sultanas Troupe and many more.
The Washington, DC area hosts a wide variety of community fairs throughout the summer; be sure to check out our guide to »Maryland & Virginia County Fairs» for more information on these other exciting events.
