TIMONIUM, MD—The 144th Maryland State Fair, presented by Toyota, is set to bring three weekends of family-friendly entertainment, agricultural showcases, and live music to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, starting August 21, 2025. Known as Maryland’s largest celebration of agriculture, the fair will feature carnival rides, livestock exhibits, competitive events, and a diverse concert lineup, offering something for visitors of all ages.
The fair will run from August 21-24, August 28-September 1, and September 4-7, 2025, at 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday, with no admission after 9 p.m. Midway and building hours are 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. on Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62 and up), $10 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. Rides are priced individually, with options for a Carnival Ride Credit Card or other payment methods.
This year’s Live!ON TRACK! Concert Series will feature headliners Big Time Rush with special guest Crash Adams on August 24 and a Taylor Swift tribute band, “Let’s Sing Taylor,” on August 30. Additional performances include the Marshall Tucker Band and local acts, with a full schedule available on the fair’s website. Concerts are included with fair admission, offering free entertainment for attendees.
The fair will host over 6,000 competition classes, including 4-H/FFA and Open Class events, such as livestock and horse shows, farm and garden contests, and home arts competitions. Exhibitors must register online by July 15 for 4-H/FFA and July 31 for Open Class entries. New attractions include the Mullet Madness competition on September 7 (registration due by August 24), a Battle of the Bay catfish strip eating contest, and a Butterfly Kingdom exhibit featuring six butterfly species. The AmirrorCAN MEN, performers in mirrored suits, will also roam the fairgrounds.
“We are pleased to host the Maryland State Fair with thousands of talented individuals and fun-loving fairgoers participating from Maryland’s great cities, towns, farms, mountains, and shores,” said Andy Cashman, general manager of the Maryland State Fair. “Our goal is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable, and educational experiences to help make memories for a lifetime.”
Returning favorites include the U-Learn Agriculture Education Zone, the Birthing Center, Animal Bedtime Stories (with free books for the first 50 children each Saturday), and professional bull riding and cowgirl barrel racing. New food vendors at the Maryland Foods Pavilion and Midway include Althea’s Almost Famous Taste of Jamaica, Crispy Chicken, and Rita’s Italian Ice. The fair also features a “Meet A Farmer” program and a “Wolves of the World” exhibit.
For safety, the fair prohibits backpacks, coolers, and large bags, with permitted items like purses and diaper bags subject to search. A curfew requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult 21 or older after 6 p.m. Free parking is available, with valet offered during special events. The Timonium Off Track Betting Center, located at the fairgrounds, will operate daily with simulcast racing and wagering.
Additional details are available at https://marylandstatefair.com.
Photo: Scott218, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
