Yakima, Wash. — The Central Washington State Fair brings back the rides, food, and family traditions while adding a new focus on food education and the fair’s 2026 theme.
This year’s theme is honoring America’s 250th birthday with a message of “Honoring the past and growing the future.” something Kathy Kramer, CEO and president of the Central Washington Fair Association, said she was excited to bring that idea to life.
One new addition at the fair was the Farmer’s Garden, which was designed to show people where food comes from and encourage them to think about what they can grow themselves.
“It’s been a dream of ours for the last two years to have a display garden where we could showcase the crops, have educational signage, and show that everyone understands everything that we grow and do. We’re hoping that it inspires folks to go home and figure out they too can grow their own food. You don’t have to have lots of acreage to get people into understanding where their food comes from. And try their hand in growing their own,” Kramer said.
The fair also mixed longtime attractions with new activities, giving people both the classic experience they return for and something different to check out.
The Central Washington State Fair will run through October 4.
Dining and Cooking