Evergreen State Fair in Monroe - Greater Seattle on the Cheap

The Evergreen State Fair is a family-friendly celebration of all things Washington, showcasing the state’s rich livestock and agriculture heritage. Held in Snohomish County north of Seattle, it the county’s largest event.

Activities for visitors include free entertainment on the courtyard stage as well as roving entertainers, daily Aztec Indian Dancers and Lumberjack shows, petting zoo, Grange and agricultural displays; and fun contests like pie eating, balloon tossing, and belching (we’re not kidding). There is also plenty of fair food choices, carnival rides, headliner concerts, a rodeo, and speedway events.

Grange Displays are a “must-see” highlight for many fair visitors each year in the Display Hall. Originally an organization of farming families, the Grange now embraces both rural and urban members and still retains a strong rural and agriculture interest.

Washington State has the largest number of Grange members in the nation. Snohomish County hosts 15 active Granges. Read more about national Grange history below.

Find another state and county fair in Washington State.

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Skagit Valley farm iStock by Getty Images photo by 4nadia

How Granges got started

The term “grange” comes from the Latin word for “grain” and was used in England to describe a farm and its buildings.

In 1867, Oliver Hudson Kelley (1826-1913), a Minnesota farmer, who was also a Mason and occasional journalist, founded the National Grange along with six associates. The organization established the importance of a viable agriculture and strong family units as the cornerstones of the organization.

The first local Grange was started in Washington, D.C., in 1868, and the organization spread rapidly from there. Within five years there were approximately 9,000 local chapters across the country and almost 700,000 Grangers, as members came to be called.

From the beginning, women had equal representation which has proven to be of great benefit to the Grange’s success. It was the first organization to give women an equal vote with men in 1867, as well as full and equal recognition.

About Evergreen State Fair

In 1874, Monroe pioneer Salem Woods, then vice-president of the Snohomish Agricultural Society, held the first agriculture display in Snohomish County, which makes the Snohomish Country fair one of the oldest in Washington State.

Over the next 75 years, the Snohomish County Fair was held alternately in Monroe and Granite Falls. Activities included exhibitions of livestock, farm and dairy produce, ladies “useful and fancy work”, arts, and sciences. There was also horse racing, baseball, and a Grand Ball with a queen and her six maids of honor presiding.

In September 1949, the Snohomish County Fair became the Evergreen State Fair. During its run that year, US highway route 2 opened to link Monroe and Snohomish.

The Evergreen State Fair now runs for twelve days ending on Labor Day and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the Pacific Northwest.

In 2008, The Evergreen Fair Foundation was established to sustain the Fairgrounds as a valuable community asset. The Fairgrounds are active year-round with events such as horse shows, motorcycle races, and quilt shows.

Ferris wheel at sunset – depositphotos.com

2021 Evergreen State Fair

Here are the regular prices and ways to save money with discount admission tickets, parking, carnival rides, and other fun.

When: August 26-31 and September 2-6, 2021 from 10am to 10pm every day (closes at 7pm on the last day). Carnival Hours: 11am to 11pm daily (closes at 7pm on the last day).

Where: Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th AVE SE Monroe, WA 98272 (About 30 miles northeast of Seattle)

Regular gate admission: Adults $14. Seniors (62+), Kids (6-15), and Active Military with ID $11. Children Under 5 and Seniors 90+ are FREE.

Discount ticket: Save $2 on advance purchase before opening day.

Parking: $10-$12. More info: Ticket Information (evergreenfair.org)

Food: To keep you going, there are plenty of fair food choices at a range of prices.

Carnival rides: Be sure to read the important ride information, including ride restrictions, rules, and carnival hours. Unlimited Ride Wristbands $35 (valid for one person any one day of the fair); save $5 when purchased online before opening day. Individual tickets $1; rides require 3-5 individual tickets. Save $2, $10, or $20 on sheets of 27, 80, or 120 ride tickets (can be shared by any number of people).

Rodeo: No rodeo in 2021.

Concert tickets include fair admission. More info: 2021 Evergreen State Fair Concerts (evergreenfair.org)

Speedway tickets include fair admission. More info: Evergreen Speedway (evergreenfair.org)

More info: The Evergreen State Fair | Official Website (evergreenfair.org)

Discount tickets to Evergreen State Fair

Save $2 on fair admission with advance purchase before opening day.

During the fair, gate admissions can be purchased at any gate entrance and will not be subject to a convenience fee.

Special Admission Days: In 2021, there will be no Special Admission days to avoid the large crowds that usually attend. Save $2 on any admission day with advance purchase.

Get free admission when you buy a concert ticket or speedway ticket.

Tickets purchased prior to the Fair at the Administration Office are not subject to a convenience fee.