The Maryland State Fair on Tuesday released the hours for its 143rd iteration, and a new act, Let’s Sing Taylor, has been added to the concert series.
This year’s fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds runs for three consecutive weekends: Aug. 22 to 25, Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 and Sept. 5 to 8. The fair announced Tuesday that admission gate hours will be 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on other days.
The carnival opens at 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. on the other days, running through closing time. Buildings such as the 4-H arts building and Cow Palace are open 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the other days. The exhibition hall runs 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through the rest of the weekend.
After 6 p.m., those under 18 must be accompanied by someone at least 21 years old.
State fair officials implemented the chaperone rule last year as a safety measure, coming at a time when Baltimore City also began enforcing its youth curfew.
In April, a carnival in White Marsh ended early after four minors were arrested related to “carnival disturbance” and “an unrelated theft,” police said.
The fair’s entertainment will include pop band Big Time Rush and Let’s Sing Taylor, a Taylor Swift tribute band.
During the last weekend of the fair, Let’s Sing Taylor will be featured at the 2024 Live! ON TRACK! Concert Series on Sept. 6. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. General admission lawn tickets are available for $25.
Big Time Rush will perform Sept. 7 with Crash Adams as an opening act. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and Crash Adams will start performing at 6 p.m. Big Time Rush will hit the stage at 7:15 p.m. General admission lawn tickets will be available for $55 each with fair admission included, and people may bring their own blankets and chairs.
Along with the concert series and carnival, the fair will have horse racing all three weekends with a post time of 12:25 p.m., but there will only be simulcasting on the final weekend in the off-track betting center.