When: Tuesday, August 15 to Saturday, August 19, 2023.
Directions:
From New York: Take Rte 4 East to VT Rte 7. Take
Rte 7 South to Vermont State Fair Grounds.
From
New Hampshire: Take Rte 4 West to VT Rte 7. Take
7 South to Vermont State Fairgrounds.
Heading into its 177th year in 2023, the Vermont
State Fair is an immensely popular event that is held annually
in Rutland. It is also one of the oldest state fairs in the United
States - in a beloved tradition dating back to 1846!
The fair started
out as just a single day gathering that happened once a year somewhere
in Rutland County. But it wasn't long before the fair became
popular enough to warrant its own permanent home, and in 1859
the Rutland Fair moved to a new location which still
serves as the fairground today.
The Rutland Fair became a three day
event before the turn of the century and by 1926, the Rutland Fair was ranked as among the ten best state
fairs in the entire nation.
The Rutland Fair became
officially known as the Vermont State Fair in 1972.
Today the Vermont State Fair is a greatly-anticipated end of summer event which this year kicks off on Tuesday, August 15th and ends on Saturday, August 19th.
General admission is traditionally $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12, with kids under 5 admitted free.
It never pretends to be anything other than an old-timey, down-home country fair. Petting zoo for the kids? Check. Real Vermont maple syrup? You betcha.
The demolition derby is always a smash hit
at The Vermont State Fair in Rutland.
Also look for monster trucks and tractors performing incredible feats of strength and endurance.
The Vermont State Fair promises a "big name" music band to take the stage each year. (So expect local acts that you probably never heard of.)
And unlike the big state fairs that serve up mega-stars, at the Vermont State Fair it's the smash hit demolition derby that serves as the big finale on the last day.
Animals and livestock, of course, are still a
big part of the show, and can be found racing, winning
ribbons, and performing for festival goers of all ages.
You can also look forward to a huge assortment of amusement park rides, cooking and baking competitions -- and always, always a really fun day out with friends or family. Enjoy.
For kids of all ages, it's the petting zoo ... or an authentic taste of real Vermont maple ice cream. Yum.
More about the Vermont State Fair around the Web:
2023 Vermont
State Fair - The official site with information on the
concert lineup, admission and ticket prices, fair highlights and
events fair history, directions, map and photos.
Explore Rutland - Guide to downtown and nearby Green
Mountain attractions including Killington, Pico and Shrewsbury.
Vermont
State Fair - Rutland, VT - Yelp community reviews with
favorite picks of events and venues plus maps and directions,
and guide to nearby hotels and restaurants.