The 51st Washington D.C. State Fair

Attendees of the Washington D.C. State Fair gathered around the mainstage at Franklin Park where local band Sara B & the R3s is performing. (101 Mag. / Devon Mooring)

Despite overcast skies with intermittent rain on Saturday, Sept. 7, the weather could not stop the 14th annual Washington D.C. State Fair. 

The Washington D.C. State Fair is a free community-led event showcasing the art, culinary work and agriculture produced by members of the local community. Maggie Downing, the president of the D.C. State Fair Board of Directors, has managed the event for the past five years. Through that time, she’s found that the fair puts a needed spotlight on the local residents of D.C.  

“It’s really about celebrating D.C. as opposed to Washington. It’s about the local city, not the federal city,” said Downing.

Throughout the day, visitors explored Franklin Park, visiting tents hosted by small local businesses, artists, food vendors and educational community organizations. Attendees enjoyed live music from local bands and participated in competitions such as pie eating and flower arranging.

Though the fair has been around for 13 years, for many people, this year was their first time attending the event.

“I did not know that D.C. had a state fair at all, and I’ve lived here for 15 years,” said Imani Tookes, a DMV resident and student at Howard University.

It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of D.C.’s annual state fair—after all, D.C. isn’t a state. So, why hold a state fair in a non-state?

“I think it’s funny that it’s called the state fair even though we’re technically not a state. It feels political – even in just the name of the event,” said Kallie McGrath, a D.C. resident and volunteer for the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (LWV-DC).

McGrath and fellow LWV-D.C. members view the event as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of D.C. statehood. 

“People think about D.C. as just the White House, Congress and the mall. And when I talk to people about D.C., I say we have 131 neighborhoods, we have farmers markets, we created our own art movement […] and we have our own music, Gogo. We are a very vibrant community, just like any other state in the nation.” said Stauffer. 

LWV-D.C. members and McGrath work to inform the public about voter registration and collect signatures to petition for D.C. statehood.

“We want people to think about D.C. as a state as we work to become a state”, said Anne Stauffer, Vice President for Issues and Advocacy for LWV-D.C.

Stauffer believes in the importance of the D.C. State Fair’s service to her local community. She sees it as a clear showcase of the individuals, culture, and community that remain disenfranchised due to D.C.’s lack of statehood.

“One of the reasons we fight so hard for D.C. statehood is we also want D.C. residents to have a voice in Congress. If your vote is your voice then we need to use it in D.C. and we need to have it in Congress,” said Stauffer.

The D.C. State Fair serves as a reminder to the community and everyone who attends that D.C. is more than just a place of politics. It is also the home to a unique and vibrant culture that deserves to be celebrated.