Here are answers for some of our frequently asked questions about the fair.
For more information, please contact the fair office.
- WHEN IS THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR?
Thursday, September 17th, Friday, September 18th, Saturday, September 19th, & Sunday, September 20th, 2026. - WHERE ARE THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS?
8440 Fairground Road, La Plata MD 20646 – 3 miles south of La Plata, Maryland. Telephone 301-932-1234 - WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR?
Thursday, September 17 – Gates Open at 4:00 p.m. & Close (for Entry) at 8:30 p.m. (Exit Only) and Exhibit Buildings Open at 5:00 p.m. & Close at 9:00 p.m.
Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19 – Gates Open at 8:00 a.m.& Close (for Entry) at 7:30 p.m. (Exit Only) and Exhibit Buildings Open at 9:00 a.m. & Close at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 20 – Gates Open at 9:00 a.m. & Close (for Entry) at 5:30 p.m. (Exit Only). Exhibit Buildings Open at 10:00 a.m. & Close at 6:00 p.m. Note: Exhibitors can enter after 5:30 p.m. with their Fair Entry letter to retrieve their items at 6:00 p.m. - WHAT IS THE ADMISSION FEE?
Ages 11 & Over – $10.00; Children ages 10 & Under – FREE AT ALL TIMES.
All tickets must be purchased at the Main & South Gate Ticket Booths. Fairgoers under the age of 17 shall be accompanied by an adult after 5:00 p.m. to enter the Fairgrounds.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH – HALF PRICE ADMISSION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH IS KIDS DAY, ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN (18 & UNDER) ARE ADMITTED FREE FROM 9:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. AFTER 5:00 P.M., CHILDREN AGES 11 & OVER ADMISSION IS $10.00.
SEASON PASSES $25.00 – BEST BUY IF COMING MULTIPLE DAYS/TIMES (Save $15.00), available for purchase at Ticket Booths through Friday of the Fair or at the Fair Office after September 1, 2026 (Call 301-932-1234 for pick up time).
Cash, Credit/Debit Card and Apple Pay are accepted in Fair Office & Fair Ticket Booths. NO REFUNDS!
Any Patron under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by an adult after 5:00 p.m. to enter the Fairgrounds. - DO I NEED TO PAY FOR RE-ENTRY IF I NEED TO LEAVE THE FAIRGROUNDS?
You must get your hand stamped to return on the same day before 6:00 p.m. THERE WILL BE NO SAME DAY RE-ENTRY AFTER 6:00 P.M. A $10.00 Entry fee will be required. - CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR?
SERVICE ANIMALS ALWAYS WELCOME – NO DOMESTIC PETS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FAIRGROUNDS!
The Charles County Fair is NOT a pet-friendly environment due to huge crowds, loud unusual noises, unpredictable weather, and dry/muddy conditions. 4-H Pet Show animal entries must be removed from the Fairgrounds IMMEDIATELY AFTER PET SHOW EVENTS. The Charles County Fair reserves the right to ask for proof of Rabies Vaccination, due to Livestock on the Fairgrounds. POLICY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. - HOW DO I ENTER ITEMS IN THE FAIR TO BE JUDGED?
Register Entries online at www.charlescountyfair.com, beginning Aug. 1, 2025. Exhibitors will be directed to an external website – Online Entries through Showorks. Entry Forms are available online and in the Charles County Fair Catalog, along with Fair Rules & Regulations. Online Pre-registration for most departments ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 13th. Livestock Registration Closes August 15, 2026. LIVESTOCK EXHIBITS ACCEPTED BETWEEN 8:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026. ALL OTHER ENTRIES & EXHIBITS, INCLUDING POULTRY & RABBITS EXHIBITS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN 1:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026. - CARNIVAL RIDES & GAMES – Rosedale Amusements & Attractions – Carnival/Midway
Thursday, open 5:00p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, open 10:00 a.m.–10:00p.m.; Sunday, open 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Carnival/Midway rides & attractions costs are not included in the Admission Fee. THURSDAY NIGHT DISCOUNT – ½ -Off Admission – SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 – $5.00 – Entry fee Adults ages 11 and over –Children 10 and under Free – Adults and Children must obtain ticket from Ticket Sales for collection by Ticket Takers – Rosedale Attractions will offer wristband to ride, all evening for $20.00 – FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 – 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ONLY – All School Children Admitted – FREE — ALL ROSEDALE ATTRACTIONS REQUIRE 1 TICKET – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – SCHOOL CHILDREN ONLY – Purchase Strip of 25 Tickets any- time for $30.00 FRIDAY AFTER 5:00 P.M. AND ALL OF SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 WILL REQUIRE MULTIPLE TICKETS -ADULTS AND CHILDREN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 – $35.00 wristband with $5.00 coupon through Charles County Schools = $30.00 - IS THERE FOOD AT THE FAIR?
A variety of food vendors will be on-site to provide an array of fun fair food, drinks & sweets of all kinds. Menus and food costs are set by the individual food vendors. Forms of Payment vary per vendor – Cash or Debit/Credit Cards accepted. - ARE THERE ATMS AVAILABLE?
Yes, ATM machines are located on the outside of the fenced areas of the Main & South Gate Entrances. - CAN I SMOKE AT THE FAIR?
The use of tobacco products is allowed in outdoor spaces only and away from Food Vendors. Smoking is Not Allowed in Any Exhibit Buildings & Barn Areas. - THE USE OF CANNABIS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN COMMUNITY SPACES BY MARYLAND STATE LAW.
- The Charles County Fair has a ZERO TOLERENCE POLICY toward bad behavior and conduct, which will be strictly enforced, resulting in removal from the Fairgrounds and/or arrest.
