Summer is going by quickly, but the fun refuses to stop. Amusement rides, jousting, sunflowers and fresh fruit make these six family-friendly fairs and festivals exceptional celebrations this month in Maryland.
Clarksville Sunflower Festival
Aug. 14–15, 21–22 and 28–29
Kids will have a blast wandering through the scenic sunflower fields and picking their own bunches of flowers. This annual festival at Mary Land’s Farm features 12 different sunflower varieties, live music, food trucks and more. Take this opportunity to snap the perfect family Instagram photo and be sure to take the kids through “The Giants” featuring 6- to 15-foot-tall sunflowers.
Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at clarksvillesunflowerfestival.com.
4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City
Howard County State Fair
Aug. 7–14, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Snacks? Rides? Animals? Oh my! This weeklong fair has everything families need for an exciting summer adventure. Little ones will adore getting up close to baby animals at the Kids and Critters Barn while older kids can get an adrenaline rush on all the exciting amusement rides. Close out the week with the “Parade of Floats” on the evening of Aug. 14.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at howardcountyfairmd.com. Children 12 and younger are free.
2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Begins Aug. 28
Hail and well met! Transport the family to a 16th-century English village at this year’s Maryland Renaissance Festival. Enjoy live music and theatrical performances, feast on delicious foods, cheer on your favorite knight at the joust and more.
Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at rennfest.com. Kids younger than 15 are free during Children’s Weekend Aug. 28–29.
1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis
Maryland Science Center Mess Fest
Aug. 7–8, noon to 4 p.m.
At this festival, kids can get as messy as they want. The Maryland Science Center will bring out its gooiest, slimiest, stickiest and sloppiest experiments for kids. The best part: parents don’t have to clean up afterward.
Tickets are free with museum admission price and can be purchased at mdsci.org.
601 Light St.
Maryland State Fair
Begins Aug. 26
The Maryland State Fair is back and better than ever with fun rides, delicious food, livestock shows and plenty of competitions.
Ticket prices vary and can be purchased at marylandstatefair.com.
Maryland State Fair and Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium
Weber’s Peach and Blackberry Festival
Aug. 7–8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Treat the family to delicious fruity snacks and a fun-filled day of activities. Weber’s seventh annual festival will include tractor rides, animals, live music, a craft show, food trucks, a caricature artist and more.
Tickets are $6 for guests ages 2 and older and can be purchased at weberscidermill.com.
2526 Proctor Lane, Parkville