Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Arlington County Fair is returning next month with its ever-popular assortment of carnival rides, treats and events, plus some new additions.
The fair will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 12 to Sunday, Aug. 16 at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, bringing back attractions like the fun slide, the double Ferris wheel and the “super shot” drop tower, paired with reliable fair bites such as fried Oreos, funnel cake and tacos.
Other highlights include a beer garden, live music and the annual pie-eating contest — plus new additions including an inflatable “ninja” course on the upper field, a game area sponsored by Monumental Sports and a new “silent disco.” As ever, admission is free.
“This fair shows the Arlington spirit, you know, to be mindful of your neighbor and provide opportunities for others that they may not otherwise have,” County Fair Board Chair Matt Cochrane told ARLnow. “We’re really trying to make it even stronger with entertainment and, obviously, trying to incorporate as many of the cultures and neighborhoods and demographics that make Arlington what it is.”
The fair is continuing its partnership with the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, an agreement that began last year. Parks and rec spokesperson Jerusalem Solomon told ARLnow that this has allowed the County Fair Board to “do more of the fun stuff” and focus on adding programming.
A list of fair hours is below:
- Wednesday, August 12: 5-10:30 p.m. outside
- Thursday, August 13: 5-10:30 p.m. outside
- Friday, August 14: 2-10:30 p.m. outside, 4-10 p.m. indoors
- Saturday, August 15: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. outside, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. indoors
- Sunday, August 16: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. outside, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. indoors
Sensory friendly hours are from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 15 and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 16.
New this year, the Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Spirit and D.C. United will all have tents from 2-8:30 p.m. on Friday on the Thomas Jefferson outdoor basketball court, offering activities and giveaways.
“The Caps are gonna have a mobile rink. The Wizards are gonna have hoops set up with the Mystics, and then D.C. United is bringing an inflatable PK shootout setup,” Cochrane said. “It’ll be kind of like a mini fan experience that you might see at an All-Star weekend.”
An inflatable obstacle course will also be set up from 6-10 p.m. on Friday on the upper field, behind the main fair area. That space will also host a “silent disco” on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. where participants dance wearing headphones, as well as a “silent movie” during those same hours on Sunday evening.
Also new, the fair will offer digital tickets for purchase through an app called FunTagg. Physical tickets will still be available, and bulk discounted tickets are available on the app through Aug. 12 at 5 p.m.
Entertainment headlines this year include the D.C.-based electro-pop artist Bryce Bowyn on Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. and the yacht rock cover band Loveboat on Friday from 7-10 p.m. The County Fair’s website will post a full list of entertainment soon, Cochrane said.
“We’ll also have the beer garden on the upper field by the main stage,” Solomon said. “It’ll be open all five days of the fair, and they’ll be giving wristbands out at the entrance. You can bring your family and enjoy live, free entertainment all five days of the fair, and you only have to be 21 to drink the beer.”
Also located on the main stage will be the annual pie-eating competition on Saturday at 1:30, with pies provided by Livin’ The Pie Life.
