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

  • THE CHARLES COUNTY FAIR IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT
  • When is the Charles County Fair?  Thursday, September 14 – Sunday, September 17, 2023
  • Where are the Charles County Fairgrounds?  8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, MD  20646 – 3 miles south of La Plata, MD.  Telephone – 301-932-1234.
  • Can I bring my pet to the Charles County Fair?  SERVICE ANIMALS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!  The fair is not a pet-friendly environment due to huge crowds, loud, unusual noises, unpredictable weather, and dry/muddy conditions.  Pet Show entries must be removed from the fairgrounds IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PET SHOW events.  POLICY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.   
  • What are the hours of operation?  Thursday, September 14, 2023 – Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. –Exhibit Buildings Open at 5:00 p.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.  Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16, Gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. – Exhibit Buildings open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m.  Sunday, September 17, 2023 – Gates open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Exhibit Buildings open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. 
  • Are there rides?  Carnival/Midway – Thursday, opens at 5:00 p.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m.  Friday and Saturday, opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m.  Sunday, opens at 11:00 a.m. and closes at 7:00 p.m.
  • Carnival/Midway rides and attractions are not included in the entry fee.  Carnival rides will be offered on Thursday and Sunday for one price.  Schoolchildren should receive a $5.00 discount coupon from their school.  FRIDAY – SCHOOL CHILDREN ADMITTED FREE 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. ALL RIDES REDUCED (1 TICKET PER RIDE – $1.00 EACH)
  • What’s the entrance fee?  Ages 11 and over – $10.00.  Children ages 10 and under – FREE at all times – All tickets must be purchased at the Main or South Gate Ticket Booths.  Patrons under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by an adult after 6:00 p.m. to enter the Fairgrounds.  Friday, September 15, 2023, IS KIDS DAY, all school children are admitted free from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  After 5:00 p.m. children ages 11 and above will be charged $10.00.  Season Passes – BEST BUY IF COMING MULTIPLE DAYS/TIMES – $25.00 – $15 DISCOUNT – May be purchased at ticket booths through Friday.   Cash and Debit/Credit Cards are accepted at ticket booths.  No Refunds!
  • Are there ATMs?  ATMs are located at Ticket Booths outside fenced areas and on the fairgrounds
  • Do I need to pay again if I need to leave the Fairgrounds?  If you need to leave the fairgrounds, get hand stamped to return the same day without paying again, however, you MUST return before 7:00 p.m.  NO SAME DAY RE-ENTRY AFTER 7:00 P.M. 
  • Is there food?  Food Vendors will be onsite to provide, an array of fun fair food, drinks, and sweets of all kinds – Menu and food costs are set by individual vendors.   Alcohol is not permitted on the fairgrounds.     
  • Do I need to pay for parking?  Parking is free, however, during peak times, parking is difficult and often unavailable.  For your convenience and ease of attending, FREE SHUTTLE BUSES run Friday and Saturday from Noon – 7:00 p.m. from the Charles County Courthouse and Noon – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, unloading at the Main Gate.  Free Shuttle Busses will return fair patrons to the Charles County Court House throughout the day, ending at 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.  RIDE THE BUS AND AVOID THE FUSS!  Parking alongside Fairgrounds Road or Route 301 (both north and southbound) will result in ticketing by Charles County Sherriff’s Office (CCSO) or Maryland State Police (MSP).
  • Is there Handicapped Parking?  Handicapped Parking is located at both the Main and South Gate fair entrances. 
  • How do I enter items in the fair to be judged?  Register entries online at www.charlescountyfair.com  Exhibitors will be directed to an external website – Online Entries through ShoWorks or Charles Fair Catalog for Entry Form and Rules and Regulations.  LIVESTOCK REGISTRATION CLOSED AUGUST 15, 2023.  LIVESTOCK EXHIBITS ACCEPTED BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 8:00 P.M.  Wednesday, September 13, 2023.  ALL OTHER ENTRIES AND EXHIBITS, INCLUDING POULTRY AND RABBITS, WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN 1:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
  • Can I smoke at the fair?  The use of tobacco products is allowed in outdoor spaces and away from food vendors.  SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY EXHIBIT BUILDINGS AND BARN AREAS. 
  • THE USE OF CANNABIS IS PROHIBITED BY MARYLAND STATE LAW IN COMMUNITY SPACES. 
  • The Charles County Fair has a Zero Tolerance policy which will be strictly enforced resulting in removal from the fairgrounds and arrest