Home / Plan Your Visit
The practical page
Plan Your Visit
Where it is, when the gates open, where to leave the car, and the rules that catch people out at the entrance.
Getting there
Frederick Fairgrounds
797 East Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
The fairgrounds sit on the eastern edge of downtown Frederick, about a mile from Market Street and a few minutes off both I-70 and US-15. It is a genuinely urban fairground — surrounded by neighbourhood streets, not fields.
Fair office: 301-663-5895
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Hours
When the gates are open
| Day | Gates | Carnival | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 18 Sept | 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. | From 5 p.m. | Opening day — afternoon start only |
| Sat 19 – Sun 20 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | From 10 a.m. | Weekend hours |
| Mon 21 – Thu 24 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Afternoon | Midway typically opens noon or 2 p.m. |
| Fri 25 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | From 10 a.m. | Kids' Day — reduced ride prices 10 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Sat 26 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | From 10 a.m. | Closing day |
| Sun 27 | Closed to public | — | Animal and exhibit release |
The gates open before the midway does
On weekdays there is a two-to-five-hour window where the fair is open and the rides are not. That window is the barns, the halls and the food — and it is the calmest, cheapest, most pleasant part of the week.
Parking
Where to leave the car
All lots open at 9 a.m. Bring cash — only one lot takes a card.
Cash or credit. Closest in, and the only card-friendly option.
Cash only.
Cash only.
Cash only.
Cash only. Accessible shuttle departs from here.
The single most common mistake
Arriving at Lot B with nothing but a debit card. Four of the five lots are cash-only and the ATMs are inside the gate. Put a ten and a five in the car before you leave home.
Accessibility
Getting around the grounds
The fair publishes a set of accommodations. For anything not covered here, the fair office takes calls on 301-663-5895.
Wheelchair & stroller rental
Available on the grounds, between the Youth Building (12) and the Homegrown Building (13). Rental contact: 570-470-3730.
Accessible parking
Designated accessible spaces are provided, with a shuttle service running from Lot D.
Sign language interpretation
Provided at every evening musical performance in the grandstand. No advance booking required.
Low-sensory midway hours
Sundays, noon to 2 p.m. Reithoffer turns down lights and music across the midway.
Service animals
Certified service animals in use by a person with a disability are welcome. No other animals are permitted.
Indoor shelter
The exhibit halls, livestock barns and covered grandstand all give you somewhere out of the sun or the rain.
Questions
The things people actually ask
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets are not permitted on the fairgrounds at all. The only exception is certified service animals in use by a person with a disability — emotional support animals do not qualify under this policy.
Can I bring a bag?
Yes. Personal bags are allowed, but be prepared for security to search them at the gate. Packing light will get you through the line faster.
Is there an ATM?
Yes, in several locations on the grounds. They are all inside the gate, which is no help at a cash-only parking lot — bring cash for parking specifically.
Can I pay by card?
MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted at most locations, including the gates and the majority of food vendors. Parking lots A, B, C and D are cash only; infield parking takes cards.
Can I rent a stroller or wheelchair?
Yes. Rentals are located between the Youth Building (12) and the Homegrown Building (13). Call 570-470-3730 for availability.
What happens if it rains?
The fair runs. In the fair's own words, a little rain doesn't shut them down — they watch the forecast for genuine safety concerns only. Wear boots you don't mind and remember the barns and halls are indoors.
Can I smoke or vape?
Not inside any building and not inside the grandstand. Smoking is permitted outdoors on the grounds only.
I've lost someone — or something.
Go to the Security Trailer, across from Building 3 (the administration office) at the entrance to the midway. It handles both lost persons and lost property.
Do children need a ticket?
Children aged 10 and under get in free every day. On Kids' Day, Friday 25 September, everyone 18 and under is free until 5 p.m. Ride wristbands are charged separately at every age.
Does a ride wristband get me in the gate?
No — this catches people out every year. The $37 wristband covers rides only. The $35 Jack Pass bundles one gate admission with an all-day wristband and is the cheaper option if you plan to ride.
Which day is least crowded?
A weekday morning — Monday through Thursday, between the 9 a.m. gate opening and the midway opening at noon or later. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest hours of the fair, and closing Saturday is the peak.
Is the harness racing free?
Yes. Afternoon racing on the track is included with gate admission. Only the ticketed evening grandstand events — the concerts, the derbies and the truck pull — need a separate ticket.
Something not answered here?
The fair office answers questions on 301-663-5895 or by email at info@thegreatfrederickfair.com. They are the authority; we are a guide.
One page left
Two hundred years of Frederick County agriculture, and why this guide exists at all.