TV-Free Family Entertainment: The Best County Fairs

Is your state fair a great state fair?

During summer, the state, regional and county fair season is at its height. In all, there are more than 3,200 such events throughout North America during the year, according to the Springfield, Mo.-based International Association of Fairs and Expositions. They range from modest agricultural-themed events, such as the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla., to mega-sized ones that resemble temporary theme parks, such as the 23-day State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

With that in mind, here are some fairs of note on this summer's calendar, with some insights on what makes them special.

Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17, Des Moines, Iowa:

When surveys are taken as to which state fair ranks highest, Iowa inevitably makes the short list.

It's not hard to see why: This 154-year-old event, which served as the inspiration for the Rodgers and Hammerstein movie-musical "State Fair," features classic fair attractions (think livestock exhibits), classic fair foods (more than 30 on-a-stick items) and pure cornpone fun (the fair has its own "butter sculptor" who's responsible each year for creating the famed 1,000-lb. Butter Cow statue).

Throw in a full slate of entertainment -- the 2008 fair will showcase country newcomers Lady Antebellum, classic rockers Rare Earth and Foghat and the "Bob the Builder" children's show -- and you begin to see why the Iowa event draws more than 1 million patrons annually.

Calgary Stampede, July 4-13, Calgary, Alberta, Canada:

Canada's great state fair rivals just about any in the United States, say fair industry insiders.