Here are some answers from some of our most asked questions.

  • THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT – CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF FAMILY MEMORIES
  • WHEN IS THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR?  Thursday, Sept. 12, Friday, Sept. 13, Saturday, Sept. 14, & Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
  • 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, Sept. 12 – 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, Sept. 13 & Saturday, Sept. 14 – Gates Open at 8:00 a.m.& Close (for Entry) at 8:30 p.m. (Exit Only) and Exhibit Buildings Open at 9:00 a.m. & Close at 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Sep.15 – 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 18 shall be accompanied by an adult after 6:00 p.m. to enter the Fairgrounds. THURSDAY, SEPT. 12 – 100th Anniversary Special Half-Price Admission $5.00 for Ages 11 & Above, 10 & Under Free. FRIDAY, SEPT. 13 IS KIDS DAY, ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN (18 & UNDER) ARE ADMITTED FREE FROM 9:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M.  AFTER5:00 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 or at the Fair Office after Sept. 1, 2024 (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!
  • 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 7:00 p.m. THERE WILL BE NO SAME DAY RE-ENTRY AFTER 7:00 P.M.$10.00 Entry fee will be required.
  • CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR? SERVICE ANIMALS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! 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 Far 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, 2024. Exhibitors will be directed to an external website – Online Entries through Showorks.  Or, Entry Forms are available in the Charles County Fair Catalog along with Rules & Regulations. Livestock Registration Closes Aug. 15, 2024. LIVESTOCK EXHIBITS ACCEPTED BETWEEN 8:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2024.  ALL OTHER ENTRIES & EXHIBITS, INCLUDING POULTRY & RABBITS EXHIBITS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN 1:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2024.
  • 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 are not included in the Admission Fee. To celebrate our 100th Anniversary, Rosedale Amusements & Attractions will offer Thursday, Sept. 12 – Ride All Rides All Night for $20.00/per person (No Coupon Required) or Specified number of Tickets per Ride as posted – Tickets $2.00/each.  Friday, Sept. 13 – All School-Aged Children FREE Gate Admission until 5:00 p.m. – All Carnival Rides 1 Ticket per ride ($2.00/per ticket) – 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.  Friday, after 5:00 p.m.& All Day Saturday, Sept. 14 – 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. – All Rides – Specified number of Tickets per Ride as posted ($2.00/per ticket).  Sunday, Sept. 15–11:00a.m.–7:00 p.m., Ride All Rides – All Day – $30.00 (with $5.00 SAVINGS COUPON sent home with students through Charles County Public Schools) or Specified number of Tickets per Ride as Posted ($2.00/per ticket). Strip of 25 Tickets available for $30.00.
  • IS THERE FOOD AT THE FAIR? Variety of Food Vendors will be on-site to provide an array of fun Fair food, drinks & sweets of all kinds. Menus & 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 which will be strictly enforced, resulting in removal from the Fairgrounds and/or arrest.