Annual Arlington County Fair starts Wednesday

ARLINGTON, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Work continues to get everything ready for the start of the annual Arlington County Fair at the Thomas Jefferson Community and Fitness Center on Wednesday.

“Oh, I’m always excited,” said Tara Spuhler McCabe, the chief operating officer of the fair’s board.

Fair Week is one of her favorite times of the year.

“We are actually the only county fair in the whole state of Virginia that is able to say entry is free,” Spuhler McCabe said. “You still pay for rides. You still pay for the good food and the fun food that you get to eat.”

Ranae Mann of Covington is back to work her fifth fair.

“Make people happy, have fun,” Mann said as to why she looks forward to this week. “Help kids have families get back together for fun and doing things like that.”

Another year of the fair also means new activities. This year includes a petting zoo, but that’s not all guests can find.

“We have sensory-friendly hours on Saturday and Sunday, which means the loud loud noises, they go off,” said Spuhler McCabe.

Those hours will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.

The fair counts on good weather. But, this year, it’s also prepared in case Mother Nature has other plans.

“We have a whole platform to keep away damage to the soccer field as well as if it rains. Hope not,” Spuhler McCabe said. “But if it rains, you won’t get as muddy.”

The Arlington County Fair wraps up its 48th anniversary on Aug. 18.

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