Attendees ride the Typhoon amusement. 2023 MD State Fair in Timonium, Maryland. Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC.

Got your funnel cake? Ready to revisit your favorite rides?

The Maryland State Fair will return for its 143rd season this summer.

The annual event will run for three weekends: Aug. 22-25; Aug. 29-Sept. 2; and Sept. 5-8  at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

The admission gate will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday.

Two rules that were instituted in 2023 will continue this year: Nobody will be admitted after 9 p.m. Attendees under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older after 6 p.m.

Once admitted, fair hours will run as follows:

Thursdays

  • Building Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Exhibition Hall Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Carnival Midway Hours: 5 p.m. to close

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday

  • Building Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Exhibition Hall Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Carnival Midway Hours: 10 a.m. to close

Thoroughbred horse racing will take place on Aug. 23-25 and Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Post time is 12:25 p.m.

Earlier this year, fair officials announced that American boy band Big Time Rush will headline a concert series on the fair’s main stage. The band will perform Sept. 7, with Canadian pop music duo Crash Adams as their opening act.

Marcus Dieterle is the managing editor of Baltimore Fishbowl, telling the stories of communities across the Baltimore region. Marcus helped lead the team to win a Best of Show award for Website of General...