What do hog-calling, American Idol and blue-ribbon bottles of zinfandel have in common? They can all be found at a state fair. These simple harvest festivals have come a long way from their 19th-century agrarian roots. One of the largest, the State Fair of Texas, draws three million people each year and brings $350 million into the area. As for attractions, pumpkins the size of a Mini Cooper and horses smaller than a retriever are still mainstays, but there’s so much more. At these nine state fairs, the biggest and best, you can ride a roller coaster, watch a sequined ice skater land a triple lutz, catch a Brad Paisley concert and close the night marveling at fireworks with your kids.

1 TEXAS Sept. 26–Oct. 19
Fair Park, Dallas; 214-565-9931;
www.bigtex.com; $14

Everything is oversized here, including Big Tex, the 52-foot-tall cowboy wearing a 75-gallon hat, who welcomes fairgoers with a booming “Howdeee, folks!” Soar up to his level on the towering Ferris wheel and look out over the grounds, a National Historic Landmark lined with art deco exhibition halls. Entertainment ranges from a major auto show to minor crafts (who will win the Glue-a-Shoe competition, boots division?). Stop by the corn dog eating contest, and—back by popular demand—the daily pig races!

2 MINNESOTA Aug. 21–Sept. 1
1265 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul;
651-288-4400; www.mnstatefair.org; $11

On last year’s opening day, the newly crowned “Princess Kay of the Milky Way,” Ann Miron, sat for nearly eight hours in a revolving glass refrigerator while her likeness was carved in butter. Other food-related draws at this wildly popular Midwestern festival include a crop-art competition and more than 50 kinds of food on a stick. Reuben on a stick, anyone? Perhaps spaghetti and meatballs on a stick? Food critic John Kessler jokingly asked last year, “Do they have Pepto Bismol on a stick?”

3 IOWA Aug. 7–17
E. 30th St. and E. University Ave.,
Des Moines; 515-262-3111;
www.iowastatefair.org; $10

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1945 musical State Fair is set at this corn-fed classic, and contests for biggest bull, biggest ram and biggest rabbit still rule the roost. A life-size cow carved out of butter has been a feature since 1911. But it’s not all nostalgia. The main stage presents arena rock and pop—last year’s attractions included American Idols Live—and a 133-foot-high wind turbine helps power rides. A wooded 160-acre section of the fairgrounds has 1,900 campsites, so pitch a tent and sing along to “All I Owe Ioway.”

4 CALIFORNIA Aug. 15–Sept. 1
1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento;
916-263-3247; www.bigfun.org; $10

Ever progressive, the Golden State’s fair updates the farm setting with a wide range of contemporary California cuisine. Cooking competitions and “dirt to dish” exhibits show visitors how to turn their garden turnips into an appetizer. The state’s fi nest pinot noirs and chardonnays also make an appearance; sample a few under the wine garden’s shade trees. Arts competitions range from quilting and needlework to innovative video. Don’t worry—there are still livestock shows, concerts, fireworks and, of course, the 2008 running of the Dachshund Derby.

5 ARIZONA Oct. 10–Nov. 2
1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix;
602-252-6771; www.azstatefair.com; $12

The history of this fair stretches back to 1884, before Arizona was even a state. Then, it was known as the Arizona Territorial Fair, but these days the main attractions are the rides and concerts. (Kid Rock and Steve Miller performed in 2007.) Other highlights: rodeos, animal shows and combinations of the two—like the banana derby, in which capuchin monkeys ride on the backs of racing dogs.

6 NEW ENGLAND
The Big E - Sept. 12–28
1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, MA;
413-737-2443; www.thebige.com; from $12

Convened in 1917, the inaugural Eastern States Exposition encouraged the six New England states to share their agricultural expertise. Organizers of that first fair would probably be shocked by the success of their venture: It’s the region’s biggest fair, with performers like American Idol star Daughtry (one of last year’s acts). Visitors line up for kettle corn from New Hampshire and delicious baked potatoes from Maine. The best new treat is the Big E Cream Puff—a giant flaky pastry, the size of a grapefruit, with sweet whipped cream gushing out the sides. Is that the culmination of 91 years of agricultural expertise? You decide.