Westphalia residents looking for a weekend outing can head to the Prince George’s County Fair, which continues through Sunday, September 13, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center and Show Place Arena grounds, 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue in Upper Marlboro. The event brings together games, food and entertainment for visitors of all ages.
The four-day fair began September 10, with Jolly Shows providing the carnival. Friday evening and the longer Saturday schedule offer opportunities for an after-work visit or a weekend outing, while Sunday’s hours end earlier.
When to go
The remaining fair hours are:
Friday, September 11: 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, September 12: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sunday, September 13: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
The schedule is published by the fair and appears in the county parks department’s event calendar.
What admission—and rides—cost
General admission is $6 for ages 13 and older, with a reduced $5 rate for seniors ages 55 and older. Admission is $5 for children ages 5 through 12, while children 4 and younger enter free.
Carnival rides cost extra. The fair’s website lists unlimited-ride wristbands at $32 per person Friday through Sunday, separate from admission. Individual ride tickets are listed at $1.75 each, with rides requiring three to five coupons. Families planning to spend time on the rides should account for that additional expense rather than treating the gate price as the full cost of a visit.
More than the midway
The fair also highlights 4-H and open-class livestock and craft competitions. Its competition categories extend to baking, photography, fine arts, woodworking and flower arranging, giving visitors something to explore beyond the carnival.
Those exhibits reflect the event’s agricultural origins. Organizers trace the fair to 1842, when local farmers gathered to display livestock and produce.
Before heading out
Check the fair’s official website for updates before leaving, particularly when planning around a specific attraction. Jolly Shows notes that ride requirements, ticket amounts, hours and other event details are subject to change.
Questions about the fair can be directed to princegeorgescountyfair@gmail.com. Although the event takes place at a parks facility and appears in its calendar, the parks department identifies it as an outside event—not an M-NCPPC recreation program.
Sources
Official Prince George’s County Fair website