Montgomery County Fair 2016 Opens Aug. 12: Tickets, Free and Grandstand Shows

GAITHERSBURG, MD — The gates open Friday afternoon, Aug. 12, on carnival rides, pig races, motorsports you can race in, and all kinds of food, when the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair opens in Gaithersburg and runs through Aug. 20.

Tickets are on sale, general admission cost is $10 for adults, while kids 11 and younger can get in free every day.

Free parking is available at Lakeforest Mall, with a shuttle running to the fairgrounds. To park on the fairgrounds, use the Perry Parkway entrance. The cost is $10 (cash only) per car.

Fair hours are:

• Aug. 12: Fair and carnival open from 3 p.m. to midnight; carnival open.
• Aug. 13-20: Fair open from 10 a.m. to midnight, carnival open noon to midnight.

A carnival one-day discount megapass ride wristband can be purchased for $20 at guest services ticket stations in the carnival area, or on the fair website. Or four-ride tickets can be purchased for $5 in the carnival area only.

There is a convenience fee with all online purchases. One-day ride Megapass wristbands can only be purchased for $25 at the Guest Services ticket stations in the carnival area of the fairgrounds or online. The Speed ride is excluded from the ride wristband offer. All wristbands are only good on the day they are purchased until midnight.

There’s all kinds of free entertainment at the fair. A complete schedule of events each day can be found on the fair website.

Free Events:

Haai Shark Encounter

Various Times, Daily on the Upper Grounds: The only traveling shark encounter in the United States welcomes you to look into the eyes of a live shark and experience the heart pounding awe and fascination of this up close experience.

Chainsaw Chix

Various Times, Daily in Farmer's Triangle: The Chainsaw Chix can quickly transform a three-foot tall log into a true work of art. Nearly every show will result with a carving being produced from start to finish, and you can purchase a carving. Check the Fair Schedule for show times.

Carrie McQueen

Various Times, Daily Roaming The Grounds: Carrie juggles, dances, and creates an atmosphere of fun and excitement. She will be strolling the Fair at various times.

Comedy Hypnotist

PEPCO Community Stage: Brad Matchett provides a family-friendly Vegas style Hypnosis Show with volunteers who want to experience a great time.

Fast Action Motorsports

Various Times, Daily on the Upper Grounds: Race against other Fair-goers in tournaments for trophies and a chance to win the Montgomery County Fair Grand Championship. Open to all ages.

Hogway Speedway

Various Times, Daily near the PEPCO Community Stage: Don't miss the adorable racing pigs, ducks, and goats.

Extreme Illusions & Escapes

Various Times, Daily on PEPCO Community Stage:Extreme Illusions & Escapes have designed a show with a mix of stage illusions, entertaining and skillful escapes, audience participation and exciting music. Certainly not your everyday 'magic' act.

Agricadabra

Various Times, Daily on PEPCO Community Stage:Brad is an educational agricultural specialist who offers four different educational agricultural shows. They are: Agricadabra, Healthy Eating of Agriculture, Science of Agriculture, and Going Green with Agriculture.

Raptors Up Close

Various Times, Daily on PEPCO Community Stage and the Upper Grounds: Stop by the Raptors tent to see Birds of Prey up close. There will also be a show every morning to learn more about these birds. Check out the Fair Schedule for show times.

Junk Rock Band

Various Times, Daily in the Buffalo Wild Wings KidZone and roaming the grounds: The Junk Rock Band performs on oil drums, plastic tubes, milk cans and other unusual objects. JUNK ROCK makes the audience part of every show with comedic wit, virtuosic drumming, and unique showmanship.
Paid Grandstand Events:

Interstate Truck & Tractor Pull, MONDAY, AUGUST 15TH: Competing tractors pull weighted sleds and the farther the tractor goes the resistance progressively gets greater. Come witness the sheer power of these machines!
Monster Truck Madness WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17TH - 7:30PM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH - 7:30PM: Join us for a night of jam packed Monster Truck action including one Monster Truck flying over another truck in this death defying stunt! The following trucks will perform for both nights: Bounty Hunter, Iron Outlaw, Hurricane Force, Storm Damage, Jester, Stinger, Equalizer, Red Solo Truck
Demolition Derby Night Of Destruction FRIDAY, AUGUST 19TH - 7:30PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH - 7:30PM: Drivers compete against each other by ramming their vehicles into one another. The last driver whose vehicle is still operational is awarded the victory.
»Patch file photo