Whether you're an avid Washington State Fair enthusiast who visits every year, or a fan who gets there at least once every few years, the Puyallup Fair (now officially called the Washington State Fair) is the kind of fun that draws you back again and again. Activities and attractions vary from day to day, and year to year, making each visit to the Washington State Fair a bit different. Yet there's many favorites you can always count on, such as fresh scones, huge pumpkins, and carnival rides.
Here are some of the fun reasons you should plan to visit Washington State Fair, the largest fair in the Northwest:
Country Fair Traditions
Prize-winning Squash and Vegetables at the Puyallup Fair
The Washington State Fair offers all the good old-fashioned country fair exhibits and activities that we've all come to know and love.
- creative and colorful Grange booths and prize-winning veggies in the Showplex
- newly-hatching chicks in the Poultry & Rabbit Barn
- the Pumpkin Weigh Off and display of humongous weird pumpkins
- the brand new litter of pink piglets at the Pig Palace
- 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) animal shows and programs
- colorful quilts hanging above in the Home Arts section of the Pavilion Building
- blue-ribbon dahlias, roses, fuchsias, and more floral competition entries, now in the Showplex Building
- draft horse and driving demonstrations at the W.H. Paulmas Arena
- scratch your head over the odd collections on display in the Hobby Hall
- find the latest household gadget or miracle lotion among the commercial exhibits
- professional rodeo, including bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing
Delectable Fair Food
Whether it's on a stick, deep-fried, dipped in chocolate, or grilled over an open fire, everyone has their favorite fair food. Or, most probably, foods. Here are some of the delicious specialties you can enjoy at one of the Puyallup fairground's over 160 food booths.
- fresh-baked scone with butter and raspberry jam from Fisher Fair Scones
- the many flavors of Seattle Fudge, taste samples now and buy a few chunks to take home and enjoy later
- hamburgers piled high with grilled Walla Walla sweet onions
- smoked turkey legs and Nainamo bars at the Young Life BBQ booth
- international specialties including Russian piroshkies, Indian curries, and German bratwurst
- fried and sugary treats like elephant ears and funnel cakes
- adults-only beer and wine gardens such as The Park Bistro or the Corona Cantina
Live Entertainment of All Kinds
There are stages large and small throughout the Puyallup fairgrounds, from the 10,000-seat Grandstand to the small stages with bleacher seats that can accommodate a few dozen.
- musical styles from around the world
- unique performers such as jugglers, hypnotists, and illusionists
- strolling entertainers, such as clowns and drummers, to surprise and amaze you any place, any time
- Mutton Bustin', otherwise know as the Wool Riders Only rodeo, where small kids attempt to stay on a sheep for six whole seconds
- big name concerts, usually in the evenings, at the Grandstand (additional ticket required)
- the Big Aerial Show with high-flying and jumping performers
Special Events During the Washington State Fair
- Rodeo Parade & Cattle Drive through the streets of Puyallup, held on the morning of opening day
- Fiesta Patrias day-long celebration celebrating Washington State's Latino community with music, dance, and food and craft vendors
- the 5K Do the Puyallup Walk to benefit Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
- Fireworks Spectacular on Friday nights after dark
Kid-friendly Activities
Kid-friendly Rides at the Puyallup Fairgrounds
While one entire section of the fair - Sillyville - is devoted to rides and activities where even small children can participate, you'll find kid-friendly fun throughout the fair.
- Fair Farm where kids of all ages can check out piglets, pygmy goats, bunny rabbits, and other charming barnyard animals
- trout fishing in the NW Outdoors Building
- free face painting for kids under 12 years old
- try hand milking a pretend cow in the Dairy Barn
- travel around Sillyville and through a tunnel on the C.P. Huntington Train
- take part in the Let's Pretend Pirate Adventure interactive show
- Planting Patch demonstration garden with huge pumpkins, corn stalks, and more
- ride the Antique Merry-go-round
- watch or participate in the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull
Midway Rides & Carnival Games
The carnival area, including the SillyVille children's section, takes up about one-third of the fairgrounds. You'll find fun rides of all kinds, with old favorites and new thrills each year.
- raise your arms on the wooden roller coaster
- enjoy the evening lights of the fairgrounds on swing rides like Vertigo
- plunge up and down and up again on Extreme Scream
- win that super-sized stuffed creature playing Whac-a-mole
- take in fairground and Puyallup city view from atop the Ferris Wheel
- create your very own sand art bird thingy
- cross from one side of the fairgrounds to the other on the now-old-fashioned Sky Ride
- zoom down the Giant Slide
Other Fun Things to Do at the Washington State Fair
- recharge at one of the coin-operated foot massage machines
- watch cooking demonstrations at the Home Arts Kitchen in the Pavilion Building
- get a temporary tattoo and try convincing all your friends its real
- check out the creative bottle labels in the amateur wine and beer show
