Washington State Fair Tentatively Set To Return In September

PUYALLUP, WA — September may seem forever away, and the Washington State Fair is counting on it, because they're hoping that by the time it rolls around they'll be able to bring back fairgoers in droves for the 2021 state fair.

In a short post on the Washington State Fair's event page, organizers confirm that they are staying optimistic, and planning to re-open the fair this year. Their tentative plans show the fair running from Friday, September 3rd through Sunday, September 26th.

A lot could happen in the months leading up to September, but organizers say they're staying flexible and will closely monitor the state's evolving COVID-19 guidelines to make sure the event is safe and above-board.

Under the state's Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan, right now fairs, parades and festivals are only allowed in Phase 3. Pierce County and the Washington State Fairgrounds are currently in Phase 2, but will have several opportunities to re-enter Phase 3 as the summer rolls on.

Last June, the fairgrounds had to completely cancel the 2020 Washington State Fair — marking the first and only time the fair has been cancelled since the second World War. Before that, the 2020 fair had also been scheduled for September.

Also planned for a return in September is the fair's popular Columbia Bank Concert Series, which has already announced performances from several high-profile artists like the Beach Boys, Carrie Underwood and Ice Cube. Tickets for the concert series are not on sale yet, but will be some time in the early summer, organizers said.

Little else has been said about the return of the Washington State Fair, though the success of the recent hybrid Spring Fair will likely help guide organizers as they prepare for even the larger crowds that summer will bring.

>> Learn more about the Columbia Bank Concert Series by visiting the Washington State Fair's website.