Your D.C. Weekend: Carnival fun, plus Commanders preseason
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The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Photo: Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Steamy weather might be headed back to D.C., but there's one sign of fall on the horizon: Fair season is in full swing, baby!
Why it matters: What makes humidity more bearable? A corn dog, duh!
State of play: There are plenty of carnivals slated to take place across the D.C. area throughout autumn, but why wait when there are several you can check out this weekend?
🎡 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: Opening day for the Gaithersburg-based fair is Friday, and the party will continue through Aug. 16.
- Get ready for all the carnival rides and treats, plus craft contests, farm exhibits, a beer garden, live music, monster trucks, a rodeo, a demolition derby, and a kid zone. (Ticket prices vary)
🎢 Prince William County Fair: The huge Virginia fair launches Friday and runs through Aug. 16.
- Head to Manassas for monster trucks, a demolition derby, live music, agricultural events, all kinds of rides, and, of course, fair food. (Ticket prices vary)
🎠 Howard County Fair: The fun is currently underway at the West Friendship fairgrounds, but the last day to check it out is Saturday.
- On the lineup: a horse show, live tunes, a tractor pull, magic shows, rides and tons more. (Tickets are $10 for those 13 and up; $5 for those 62 and up; and free for those 12 and under)
🍿 One Loudoun Carnival: Fair festivities are underfoot in Ashburn, where the carnival will continue through Aug. 17.
- All the main characters will be there: Rides, fair food, games and even a mechanical bull. (Free admission, ride ticket prices vary)
More events to check out this weekend:
🏈 The Commanders kick off their preseason on Friday with a game against the New England Patriots — catch it playing at Metrobar on its 20-foot projector alongside specials on the Washington Commanders 1932 Bourbon and food trucks.
🎮 Otakon — a gathering all about Asian pop culture fandom — will be at the downtown convention center from Friday to Sunday with cosplaying meetups, video game sessions, and appearances by anime voice actors and the J-Pop group Non Sweet. (Ticket prices vary)
🛍️ Alexandria's annual sidewalk sale kicks off Friday and will run through Sunday. Stroll through Old Town as you shop discounts at over 30 local businesses.
🥦 The crew behind the Broccoli City Festival is throwing a block party at The Bullpen on Saturday, where you can day party it up with a DJ lineup, food trucks and pop-ups. (Tickets are $45)
🍓 Swing by the Strawberry Soirée on Saturday at President Lincoln's Cottage for a D.C. garden party where Mary Todd Lincoln's love of strawberries will be celebrated via swing dancing, live jazz, lawn games, flower crown crafting and bubbly. (Tickets are $82)