Founded in 1765, the York State Fair is a 10-day, fun-filled event that continues to delight, educate and amaze visitors of all ages year after year. Feast on mouth-watering fair food as you explore livestock exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides and games. Take in big-name acts on the Grandstand Stage such as Jake Owen, Kane Brown, REO Speedwagon and Styx, and Casting Crowns. This year, the York State Fair will be held July 23-Aug. 1, moving from its traditional September run. The date change is said to allow for higher quality concert entertainment, more livestock entries and better weather.
The York State Fair was first held in the historic old Town of York, 11 years before our nation was founded. At that time, the fair was a two-day agricultural market on the town commons. Over the centuries, the fair grew and changed. In 1888, land was purchased and the fair moved to the 73-acre site that was eventually expanded to become the current York Fair/York Expo Center property. Today, the property serves the community all year long, with over 160 events booked into the fair’s buildings and grounds every year.
The York State Fair attracts people from all around Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. Over the decades, the fair has evolved in many ways to provide new entertainment options to keep drawing the crowds. Fair organizers provide plenty of new things to look at, do and enjoy. There are rides and games that light up the midway. Hot-Dog Pig Races are a crowd favorite, as is the Splashtacular Show professional high dive show. Each year, the fair brings in top music acts of headlining country, pop and rock artists, tickets available for purchase. Plus, with its roots as an agricultural market, the farming exhibits are still a big draw. Livestock including sheep, cattle, goats, pigs will enter the judging ring seeking top honors for their owners. There is also a competition for smaller farm animals and a host of horticulture exhibitors.
With quite a bit to see and do at the York State Fair, it often seems like the main attraction is the food. Around every corner, there is more delicious fair food than you can imagine – cheesesteaks, corn dogs, barbecue chicken and ribs, gyros, cotton candy, lemonade, waffle ice cream sandwiches, funnel cake, fried Oreos, and more! Indulge your tastebuds and senses by spending a day at America's first and oldest fair, the York State Fair.
