13th Annual DC State Fair Returns In-Person to Gateway DC on September 11, 2022
An annual celebration of all things Washington, DC, the DC State Fair will showcase the District’s agricultural, culinary, and artistic talents.
WASHINGTON, DC (September 1, 2022) – On Sunday, September 11 the 13th Annual DC State Fair will take place in Congress Heights at Gateway DC on the Saint Elizabeth’s East Campus from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This marks the return of the annual event to an in-person format for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The daylong celebration of all things homegrown is unique among local fairs and festivals: it is run entirely by volunteers and is free to attend.
Like state fairs across the country, the DC State Fair celebrates all things local – the agricultural, culinary, and artistic talents of the people who live or work in or frequent the District. The DC State Fair includes contests, local entertainment, hands-on educational workshops, children’s activities, a cocktail garden, local food vendors, and even a pet parade.
Date: Sunday, September 11, 2022
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Gateway DC at Saint Elizabeth’s East (2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE)
Nearest Metro Station: Congress Heights (green line)
Free DC Circulator shuttle will be available from the metro station to the Fair
“After two years of virtual events during the pandemic, we are incredibly excited to be celebrating our 13th DC State Fair in-person,” said Jaime Loizzo, President of DC State Fair. “The District has so many talented, passionate individuals and that’s going to be on full display at this year’s Fair. Our 13th Fair is going to be bigger than ever, and we are excited to welcome new partners, vendors, and talents from across our great city.”
Among many activities, the 13th Annual DC State Fair will include local vendors, performances, activities, demos, and 20 plus contests, such as:
Live performances by DC Rawhides, Impitched DC, and Capital Blend
Contests ranging from Best Pie to Best Short Story to Best Home Brew to Best Poetry, among others
A line dancing workshop from DC Rawhides, a beekeeping session from the DC Beekeepers Alliance, and a fall crop planting workshop from THEARC Farm
A Sports Zone presented by Monumental Sports and the Wizards, Capitals, Mystics and Capital City Go-Go
Children’s educational activities, such as origami and creative crafts
Food from local food trucks Smoke Stacks House of BBQ, Happy Hippo Shaved Ice, Colemans Kitchen, and more
A pet parade sponsored by Veterinarian Emergency Group
Local artists and businesses, including Bailiwick Clothing Company, Hortiki Plants, Anarchy Candle Company, Relish Market, and many more
A Swap Fair from the team at SwapDC where you can up-cycle, repair, or donate clothing, shoes, and accessories
A fire truck up close from DC Fire & EMS, who will also be on-site providing free blood pressure and blood sugar testing
The Fair will host 20+ contests, and new categories this year include Writing, Graphic Design and Kids Slime. Adults and kids alike may compete! Details can be found at dcstatefair.org/contests and registrations will be accepted through Monday, September 5. Contest submissions will be judged on September 10, with winners announced live on September 11 at the Fair. Additional contests, such as pie eating and a dance-off will take place in-person on the 11th. No need to sign up for the in-person contests, just show up on the big day.
Additional information about the event can be found at DCStateFair.org.
The DC State Fair aims to advance equity, environmental protection, and economic development. We work to maximize small, minority-owned vendors and provide discounts to vendors based in Ward 8, home to the DC State Fair venue. In addition, the DC State Fair implements a “zero waste” strategy to divert materials away from landfills and incinerators and encourage reuse.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the 2020 and 2021 DC State Fairs going fully virtual. The health and safety of all participants, vendors, and volunteers is a top priority. In organizing this event, DC State Fair will follow suggested COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
Special thanks to our sponsors The Rounds, Kaiser Permanente, Hortiki Plants, and Veterinarian Emergency Group.