Which Washington State Fair Is Which?

Jul 17, 2023

ByAllison WilliamsAugust 31, 2023

All's fair in a Washington summer, apparently.

Image: Will Myers on Unsplash

Late Summer marks the beginning of the Evergreen State Fair—which is not the Washington State Fair, even though Washington state is the Evergreen State. Seafair? A whole other thing. And if you're wondering whatever happened to "Do the Puyallup," well, you're probably not alone.

The Evergreen State Fair grew out of the Snohomish County Fair in the 1940s—which makes it as old as the stretch of Highway 2 near Monroe, where it's held. Activities usually include a rodeo and a festival music stage. The Speedway does auto events (and monster truck rides), and a cashless midway hosts the usual slate of games and rides. The Evergreen State Fair runs August 24–29 and August 31–September 4 in 2023.

South of Seattle, the Washington State Fair kicks off in early September (September 1 this year) and runs most days through the end of the month (the 24th), held at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup. This year big names (Zac Brown Band, Third Eye Blind) and tribute bands take the stage (salutes to Billy Idol, Taylor Swift, and Pitbull), while the rodeo and miniature livestock show put animals on display. Brush up on fair memories with our 2019 photo album.

Washington State Fair rides include a giant Ferris wheel and giant slide, and the animal barns house baby piglets and the Budweiser Clydesdales (not all together, fortunately). The Skyride tram dates back to the same 1962 World's Fair—another one!—that gave Seattle the Space Needle. After a meal of cotton candy and funnel cakes, the fair's famous Fisher Scones are a can't-miss dessert.

And about "Do the Puyallup": For years the Puyallup Fair was known as the biggest elephant-ear bash in the state, but in 2013 it changed names to become the Washington State Fair. Longtime Washingtonians still can't get the jingle out of our heads.

And then, of course, there's Seattle's own event, Seafair. That's the one with signature Blue Angels flight show and Lake Washington hydroplane races; it's held in early August.

There are many county events that also dot the summer calendar—King County's fair claims to be the oldest west of the Mississippi. The upshot: There's plenty of fair to go around.