USA Today Is Ranking State Fairs And New York Is In The Top Five

Summertime means state fair time. Well, for many states anyway.

The New York State Fair, held in Syracuse, is set for August 26th through September 7th. Pennsylvania's closest event to a state fair is the York State Fair, July 24th through August 2nd in York, PA.

USA Today's 10Best series is looking for the U.S.A.'s best state fair, and the New York State Fair is among the finalists. Of course, officials with the New York State Fair want to end up on the 10Best list, and are asking New Yorkers to vote.

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According to USA Today, this friendly honor notes that from funnel cake to enormous pumpkins, state fairs celebrate some of America's biggest and best of everything from funnel cakes to pumpkins, while featuring "local agriculture, art, music, and of course, deep-fried delicacies."

America's state fairs have amazing butter sculptures, rides, concerts, things to buy, and so much more. USA Today 10Best has nominated 20 state fairs as America's best.

Voting has begun. The Great New York State Fair is already high up in the #5 position, but #1 would be nicer!

You can vote one time per day through Monday, July 27, 2026, at 12 Noon Eastern Time. The winning fairs will be announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

The 20 fairs looking to become the 10Best  as of July 16, 2026 are:

1. Minnesota State Fair
2. Wisconsin State Fair
3. Florida State Fair
4. State Fair of Texas
5. The Great New York State Fair
6. Alaska State Fair
7. Ohio State Fair
8. Illinois State Fair
9. North Carolina State Fair
10. Indiana State Fair
11. Iowa State Fair
12. Kentucky State Fair
13. Washington State Fair
14. Maryland State Fair
15. California State Fair
16. Arizona State Fair
17. Delaware State Fair
18. Oregon State Fair
19. Georgia State Fair
20. South Carolina State Fair

To vote for your favorite state fair, visit the USA Today 10Best State Fair website.