Arlington County Fair: Old-Fashioned Fun Begins Wednesday Evening

For Tiffany Kudravetz, the county fair isn’t simply a yearly event – it’s a lifelong love.

Growing up, “I would go to the carnival in my elementary school with my mom and I loved it,” said Kudravetz, now the chairwoman of the Arlington County Fair board of directors.

“I’m remembering something from over 20 years ago, and I think it would be really great if other people came out to our fair and left with those types of memories.”

Arlington residents will have the opportunity to make similar memories over the coming weekend.

The Arlington County Fair, which begins Wednesday evening and continues through Sunday, will offer everything from daredevil motorcycle acts to competitive piñata construction.

Particularly notable events include the Star Family Circus, a thrill circus that specializes in adrenaline-pumping acts, and the Harlem Wizards, who will hold an interactive basketball clinic. The county fair will also host the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile, a tractor-trailer museum that’s rolling into events across Virginia in an effort to educate communities about their history and to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. 

Also on the docket for this year’s county fair are pony rides, piglet races, outdoor movie nights and a meet-and-greet with local foster dogs in search of a home, where potential pet owners can spend time with the cuddly canines while learning about safe and healthy pet adoption from representatives of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

As that array of activities indicates, this isn’t your typical county fair.  Amy Doane, the fair’s vice chairwoman, explained that, unlike many traditional county fairs, Arlington’s annual celebration features primarily urban programming.

“Typically when people think of county fairs they think of 4-H and livestock displays and lots of farm animals,” Doane said. “You’re not going to come and find cows or goats or sheep or things like that at the fair.”

Aside from its urban identity, the Arlington County Fair is also unusual because it is an event created by the people and for the people.  Conceived and executed by a volunteer board of directors, the Arlington County Fair is one of only two free fairs in Virginia.

Those who attend the admission-free event are encouraged to share their experiences by participating in this year’s competitive exhibit theme, “Tell Arlington’s Story.” The theme was chosen in conjunction with , and celebrates the community’s diversity.

“The theme is a great way for people to share their own stories,” Kudravetz said. “We really thought of it as a really good partnership.”

Those not entered in a competitive exhibit can also share their experiences of life in Arlington by visiting the Arlington Independent Media booth. Representatives will be taking stories throughout the duration of the fair, allowing Arlington residents to share their memories while simultaneously creating new ones.

“For me, a big part of it is the memories,” Kudravetz said.

Fairgoers can begin making their own memories starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. 

For more information on the Arlington County Fair, click here.