Delaware used to hold the first state fair of summer until California jumped ahead of them by two weeks. So what is now the 2nd state fair of the season will begin on Thursday, July 23rd and will continue through Saturday, August 1st. If a Livestock Extravaganza (July 28th), the Dairy Goat Milking Contest (July 29th), harness racing (July 30th), or a Chickin Pickin’ Contest (July 25th) is your kind of fun (it’s ours!), start making plans now.

We love to check out the prize-winning produce. It's best to visit the fair early in the run to catch them at their freshest.

We love to check out the prize-winning produce. It’s best to visit the fair early in the run to catch them at their freshest.

The Delaware fair has some particularly good chicken, roasted or grilled by community groups and churches, served with local corn (look for the Mennonite stand). Some fine scrapple can be enjoyed, too. And don’t forget to take advantage of the many farm stands you’ll encounter on the return drive from the fair up the Eastern Shore peninsula. We always arrive home with a trunk filled with gorgeous, ripe fruits and vegetables.

1935 at the Delaware State Fair! Men with hats.

1935 at the Delaware State Fair – hats!

There’s a rodeo on the 23rd, Meghan Trainor on the 27th, and Grand Funk Railroad (sans Mark Farner) on August 1st, accompanied by a craft beer fest. See the fair website for the full Grandstand lineup and advance tickets. And of course there’s a carnival to satisfy all of your motion sickness needs. Fair admission is $8; concerts are extra. The fairgrounds are located in Harrington. For more info, check out the Delaware State Fair website.