While some community traditions disappear over time, that’s not the case in Grays Harbor County where its annual summertime fair is once again welcoming locals and visitors through the gates of the fairgrounds in Elma. The Grays Harbor County Fair runs July 30 through August 2, 2025, with a “Big Foot! Big Fair! and Big Fun” theme that promises to deliver a big variety of entertaining options for fairgoers.
The Grays Harbor County Fair provides a family-friendly destination with carnival rides and games, delicious fair food, concerts and entertainment, animals, exhibits, vendors, car races and much more, all with free parking. More than 80,000 people attended last year.
Fairgrounds and Tourism Manager Mike Bruner says county fairs began as community agricultural contests to select who makes the best pies, raises the best vegetables and shows the best livestock. The Grays Harbor County Fair continues to celebrate its agricultural roots through activities and exhibits by 4-H members, Future Farmers of America and community members, while adding new elements to the good old-fashioned fun.
“We want to stay modern in some areas, but we don’t want to lose sight of what the Grays Harbor County fair is,” Bruner says.
Grays Harbor County Fair Showcases Live Entertainment with Country Music, Tribute Bands and Local Talent
This year’s musical schedule presents four concerts on the Pepsi Stage. Headliners include chart-topping country artist Bryan Martin with an opening act by fellow country artist Thomas Mac. Martin’s platinum-certified anthem “We Ride” garnered over 300 million streams and he was nominated in 2024 for MusicRow Awards “Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year.” Mac performs both modern and traditional country and sang on The Grand Ole Opry stage at age 20. Country singer Dylan Marlowe entertains on Friday, August 1 at 8 p.m. Marlowe signed on with Sony Music Nashville, releasing his debut studio album, “Mid-Twenties Crisis,” in 2024.
Reserved seating tickets for these two concerts can be purchased in-person or over the phone at the fairgrounds’ number, and fair admission is included. There are no online ticket sales. With fair admission, additional grandstand non-reserved seats are available.
And two free tribute concerts are included in fair admission with no separate concert tickets required. Skynnyn Lynnyrd, a Lynnyrd Skynnyrd band tribute, performs Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m. and Nite Wave, a tribute to the 80s, plays Saturday, August 2 at 8 p.m.
Local talent is on the entertainment schedule this year as well, with a demonstration by local cheerleaders, and a talent show of 14 amateur performers from Grays Harbor and Mason counties.
Tradition Continues With Grays Harbor County Fair Food, Rides, Animals, Exhibits and Car Races, Plus a New ‘Big Foot Olympics’
It’s not a county fair without time-honored fair food like hamburgers, corn dogs, lemonade, scones, churros and cotton candy. New vendors will be serving seafood specialties, coffees and specialty hot dogs. Fairgoers can purchase wristbands to hop on carnival rides again this year. And exhibits will include livestock, crafts, hobbies, food, produce, plants, a county heritage display, a Quinault Indian Nation tribal canoe, an agricultural display highlighting the cranberry industry, a wildlife exhibition and more. Vendors’ wares can be viewed at indoor and outdoor booths.
Don’t forget to watch the well-loved car races on Saturday at 5 p.m. And in line with this year’s fair theme, a new event is the “Big Foot Olympics” with competitors engaging in Sasquatch calls and tree-knocking.
Mark Your Calendar for Grays Harbor County Fair Where Community Support Stages Successful and Fun Event
Bruner says this annual fair continues as a successful and fun event because of the dedication of fair staff, the Grays Harbor County Fair Board and County Commissioners, an “army” of 80 to 90 volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and community support. “There is a shared love of what the fair does for the community,” he explains. “We work hard to stay a traditional county fair and maintain that heritage.”
Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, July 30 through August 1; and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 2. See the Grays Harbor County Fair website for entertainment, exhibit and activity schedules.
- Admission is $15 for adults ages 16-61; $10 for seniors age 62+; $10 for youth ages 6-15, with children 5 and under free.
- “Kids Day” Thursday, July 31 offers a “one-hour free entry” for all ages, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; a $2 admission discount for youth during other hours; and $4 rides.
- A $2 discount with military ID is available every day.
- Carnival ride wristbands are $35 pre-sale and $40 on the day of the fair. Presales are going on now, at the Fairgrounds Office and 1st Security Banks in Aberdeen, Montesano, and Elma, through Monday, July 28.
Grays Harbor County Fair
July 30 – August 2, 2025
32 Elma-McCleary Road, Elma
360.482.2651
Sponsored
