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Which state fair stands above them all?
That’s the question asked by the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Twenty states, from Alaska to Wisconsin, are in the running for the nation’s best.
2026’s top ten state fairs will be decided by a public vote, and the winners will be announced on August 5. People can vote once per day until July 27.
What is America’s best state fair?
USA Today has put this question to the public twice before, once in 2015 and again in 2025. Both times, the Minnesota State Fair was voted number one.
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and most beloved in the nation. According to the USA Today website, it draws nearly two million visitors a year and has “has enormous economic impact on the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.”
California is also in the running this year, and it’s notable, per USA Today, for both its food offerings and “more than 3,000 exhibits and events,” such as an olive oil competition and big musical acts. In 2025, 649,000 people attended.
California will have some tough competition to beat, considering that state fair behemoths such as Wisconsin, Texas, and, of course, Minnesota are also in the running.
The California State Fair is currently underway at Cal Expo in Sacramento, from July 17 to August 2. Fair hours are Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information on ticket prices, parking and events can be found at castatefair.com.
