Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society

What Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society does

The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1878 and headquartered in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland, that operates the 100+ acre Maryland State Fairgrounds and the annual Maryland State Fair — the largest ticketed event in Maryland, drawing 500,000+ visitors across three long weekends, with 2026 dates of August 27–30, September 3–7, and September 10–13. Its core assets are physical venues including the 158,400 sq ft Cow Palace, 38,400 sq ft Exhibition Hall, 4H/FFA Home Arts Building, Timonium Race Track and Grandstand, Horse Show Ring with 163 stalls, Sales Pavilion, Vista Room, Mosner Miller Building, and the newly completed Harvest Hall (November 2025). The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by General Manager David Gordon (succeeding D. Andrew Cashman in 2026), with a small staff of 11–50 supported by dedicated directors of Operations, Sales, Facilities, Publicity, Finance, and Electrical Division.

The business model is multi-stream and largely event-driven. Revenue is generated through vendor booth rentals ($2,000–$9,000 per 10'x10' to 30'x20' space for the 13-day fair), admission tickets (general admission sold via Etix at $8 flash sale / regular pricing), corporate event hosting for groups of 500–10,000, year-round facility rentals, exclusive-category sponsorships (Toyota as presenting sponsor, Pepsi for soda/bottled water, Tevis Energy for propane), and the Timonium Off Track Betting Center operated in partnership with Maryland Jockey Club. Additional income derives from donations supporting the Livestock Fund and scholarship programs (over $500,000 disbursed since 2005) and ticketed ancillary events such as the Maryland German Festival, Renaissance Garb Sale, and Mullet Madness Competition. The fair's GTM is event-driven, with marketing conducted through marylandstatefair.com, Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube livestreaming, and email newsletters, while ticket and vendor distribution flows through Etix and the Marketspread Vendor Portal.

The organization's mission centers on agricultural education, youth development through 4-H and FFA programs, and preservation of Maryland's agricultural heritage, formalized through partnerships with the University of Maryland (which provides Birthing Center veterinarians and U-Learn Farm exhibits) and Maryland Jockey Club (which operates the OTB). Customer segments are hybrid: general public and families for fair attendance, commercial vendors and corporate groups for B2B revenue, youth (4-H/FFA) and open class exhibitors for competition programming, and horse racing enthusiasts for OTB wagering. The technology stack is minimal and outsourced — ticketing via Etix, exhibitor entries via BlueRibbonFair.com, and livestreaming via YouTube — with no proprietary software or AI capabilities.

Name

Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society

Legal name

The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc.

Website

https://marylandstatefair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1878 that operates the 100-acre Maryland State Fairgrounds in Lutherville-Timonium, hosting the state's largest ticketed event (500,000+ visitors annually) and year-round facility rentals, OTB wagering, vendor booths, and youth agricultural education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Fair and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH), Special Event & Venue Waste Collection (Short-Term) (BPALAAAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural fair events
• Event venue rentals
• Off-track betting
• Youth livestock programs
• Corporate event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Lutherville Timonium

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Vendor Booth Rentals: Indoor and outdoor vendor booth spaces sold in 10'x10' increments during the annual Maryland State Fair. Indoor booths range from $2,000-$7,000 depending on size; outdoor booths range from $4,000-$9,000.
2. Admission Tickets: General admission tickets sold through Etix ticketing platform. Flash sale pricing at $8 per person for 2025 fair.
3. Facility Rentals: Year-round rental of fairgrounds facilities including Cow Palace (158,400 sq ft), Exhibition Hall (38,400 sq ft), 4H/Home Arts Building (28,350 sq ft), Horse Show Ring with 163 stalls, Sales Pavilion, Vista Room, and Mosner Miller Building. Off Track Betting Center generates revenue through Maryland Jockey Club operations.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships including presenting sponsor rights (Toyota), day sponsorships, and customized sponsorship packages with benefits including collateral materials inclusion, onsite recognition, website links, and admission tickets.
5. Off-Track Betting: Timonium Off Track Betting Center operated by Maryland Jockey Club, offering live simulcast racing seven days a week with wagering through self-serve kiosks and tellers.
6. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that accepts donations to support agricultural education and youth livestock exhibitors. Donations support the Livestock Fund and general operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society operates the annual Maryland State Fair, a 12-day agricultural celebration held each August-September at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Lutherville-Timonium, MD. The organization also rents out its 100+ acre fairgrounds facilities year-round for corporate events, trade shows, vendor booths, and operates the Timonium Off Track Betting Center in partnership with the Maryland Jockey Club.

Product overview

The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland. The organization offers a portfolio of products and services centered around its annual Maryland State Fair event (the largest ticketed event in Maryland, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually), diverse facility rentals (including Cow Palace, Exhibition Hall, 4H/FFA Home Arts Building, Timonium Race Track, Grandstand, Horse Show Ring, Sales Pavilion, Vista Room, and Mosner Miller Building), and supporting services including livestreaming, corporate event hosting, vendor booth rentals, sponsorship packages, youth scholarships, and a livestock fund. The portfolio operates as a platform of interconnected facilities and programs unified by the organization's mission to support, educate, preserve, and promote Maryland agriculture. The Harvest Hall building (completed November 2025) replaced the previous Farm & Garden building as the newest facility addition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maryland State Fair The largest ticketed event and celebration of agriculture in Maryland, held annually at the Maryland State Fairgrounds since 1879. Features livestock exhibitions, farm and garden displays, home arts, concerts, carnival rides operated by Deggeller Attractions, competitions, and diverse entertainment across three weekends (12 days). 2026 dates: August 27-30, September 3-7, September 10-13. Attracts over 500,000 visitors annually.
• Cow Palace A 158,400 square foot multi-purpose event facility on the Fairgrounds, divided into three sections (24,000, 62,400, and 72,000 sq ft), featuring public restrooms, private restrooms with showers, a lounge, four offices, a 660-foot loading dock, drive-through doors, concrete flooring, concessions area, electric and water hookups, and sprinkler fire protection. Available year-round for auto shows, motorcycle races, craft shows, bull roasts, and corporate events.
• Exhibition Hall A 38,400 square foot facility (160' by 240') with capacity of 1,896, featuring a 28,800 sq ft main room, lobby, food service area, four 12' x 12' drive-through doors, 16' ceiling, concrete floors, space for 154 booths, electrical outlets, sprinkler fire protection, and handicap accessibility. Suitable for trade shows, exhibitions, and large meetings.
• 4H/FFA Home Arts Building A 28,350 square foot facility (210' by 135') with a capacity of 1,800 persons. Features concrete floor, heating and air conditioning, three restrooms, four offices, a 12' x 12' drive-through door, ample electrical outlets, 126 ten-foot by ten-foot booths, sprinkler fire protection, and handicap accessibility. Houses 4-H/FFA competitions and Home Arts exhibits during the fair.
• Timonium Off Track Betting Center (OTB) A 2,500 square foot simulcast center on the second level of the Grandstand at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, offering off-track betting experiences seven days a week with live simulcast racing, self-serve kiosks, free wireless internet, and adjacent Costas Inn Timonium restaurant. Operated by the Maryland Jockey Club in partnership with the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society.
• Timonium Race Track A 5/8th mile oval track overlooking scenic York Road, hosting live and simulcast Thoroughbred horse racing. Live racing takes place at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday during the Maryland State Fair, with year-round simulcast operations in partnership with the Maryland Jockey Club.
• Grandstand Historic Grandstand building at the Fairgrounds, site of thoroughbred racing during the Maryland State Fair, available year-round for special events. Features open-air seating overlooking the track infield, concession areas, restrooms, estimated capacity of 150-200 persons, and an adjacent air-conditioned dining room seating 350-400 persons. Houses the Timonium OTB Center on the second floor.
• Horse Show Ring Equestrian facility including two barns with 163 stalls and an office, adjacent to a 125' by 250' lighted show ring, covered announcer's stand, and warm-up ring. Used for horse shows, 4-H/FFA equine competitions, and Open Class Equine events.
• Sales Pavilion An 11,000 square foot auditorium-styled facility with seating capacity of 470, including restrooms, offices, and concessions area. Hosts sales, auctions, and concerts including horse auctions during the Maryland State Fair.
• Vista Room Versatile 4,000 square foot rental facility on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building with capacity of 330 persons for meetings and 280 persons for banquets. Includes a lounge, bar, small meeting room, food service facilities, and handicap accessibility.
• Mosner Miller Building Two-level building adjacent to State Fair Park and the 4-H/Home Arts Building. The top floor features 2,500 sq ft of meeting and event space (capacity 360 meeting, 170 banquet) overlooking York Road. The bottom floor has 2,170 sq ft of meeting and event space (capacity 350 meeting, 180 banquet). Houses the Maryland State Fair Museum.
• Harvest Hall New building completed in November 2025 replacing the old Farm and Garden building on the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Hosts competitive exhibits, Farm and Garden entries, and various events.
• Corporate Parties and Event Hosting Corporate event hosting services at the Fairgrounds for groups from 500 to 10,000 people, including private rental of entire Fairgrounds, catered fair food or fair food bucks, VIP areas, unlimited rides, and custom entertainment. Bookings are coordinated through the Director of Sales.
• Vendor Booth Rentals Commercial vendor booth rental opportunities at the annual Maryland State Fair, available in indoor (10'x10' to 30'x20') and outdoor (10'x10' to 30'x20') configurations with pricing from $2,000 to $9,000 depending on size and location. Booth rental includes pipe and drape (indoor), 110v electrical access, admission passes, and parking passes for the 13-day fair period.
• Sponsorship Packages Customized sponsorship packages for the Maryland State Fair reaching over 500,000 visitors annually, including day sponsor activations, title or presenting sponsor rights (held by Toyota), exhibit space, in-event signage, collateral materials inclusion, website links, and discounted ticket offers. Exclusive category partnerships include Pepsi (soda and bottled water), Tevis Energy (propane), and Toyota (automotive).
• Concert Series (M&T Bank Concert Series) The M&T Bank Concert Series featuring performances at the Maryland State Fair, including headline acts such as Congress The Band, Clutch with JD Pinkus, Pop Princesses Show, and K-Pop Dance Party. Concert tickets sold separately through Etix with General Admission Lawn, adult, and kids pricing tiers and bundle packages.
• Livestreaming Services Live streaming of livestock shows and events for public viewing, delivered through the Maryland State Fair's YouTube channel. Implemented during the 2020 pandemic to fulfill the organization's educational mission and continued as a service for remote audiences.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Costas Inn TimoniumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Costas Inn Timonium opened in 2025 adjacent to the OTB on the second floor of the Grandstand, providing year-round seafood and American cuisine. Previously Nick's Grandstand Grill operated 2016-2024.
• Harvest Hall (Construction Project)minorOthers · 1 January 2025Harvest Hall was constructed on the Maryland State Fairgrounds site in November 2025, replacing the old Farm & Garden building. The new facility hosts competitive exhibits and events.
• Maryland Jockey ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Maryland Jockey Club operates the Timonium Off Track Betting Center on the second floor of the historic Grandstand at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The OTB offers live simulcast racing seven days a week.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerToyota is the presenting sponsor of the Maryland State Fair, with logo featured prominently on official fair materials and the main logo. Toyota holds exclusive rights to the automotive provider category at the fairgrounds.
• PepsicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsi holds exclusive rights to soda and bottled water distribution at the Maryland State Fair, making it the exclusive beverage provider for these categories.
• Tevis EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTevis Energy holds exclusive rights to propane distribution at the Maryland State Fair. Featured as a sponsor on multiple event pages including livestock and home arts competitions.
• Deggeller AttractionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeggeller Attractions operates the midway at the Maryland State Fair, providing carnival rides, fair foods, and games. Reconfigured the midway to separate big rides from children's Kidde Land ride area.
• Embassy Suites Baltimore North - Hunt ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHilton hotel property at 213 International Circle, Hunt Valley, MD 21030, offering discounted rates for fair exhibitors and visitors. Phone: (410) 584-1400.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore North/TimoniumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHilton hotel property at 11 Texas Station Court, Timonium, MD 21093, offering discounted rates for exhibitors. Phone: (410) 628-2800.
• Holiday Inn Express Hunt ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIHG hotel property at 11200 York Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030, offering discounted rates for fair exhibitors. Book directly via booking links.
• Holiday Inn TimoniumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIHG hotel property at 9615 Deereco Road, Timonium, MD, offering discounted rates for exhibitors. Phone: 1-800-235-3297.
• Residence Inn Hunt ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarriott property at 45 Schilling Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21031, offering discounted rates for exhibitors. Phone: (410) 527-2333.
• Hightopps Backstage GrilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner at 2306 York Road, Timonium. Listed as a valued partner of the Maryland State Fair. Phone: 410.560.7101.
• University of MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Maryland provides agricultural expertise through the Birthing Center (veterinarians and agriculture professors/supervision), U-Learn Farm exhibits, and University of Maryland Dairy and Wye Beef Herds exhibits. Dr. Joseph H. Sullivan serves as University Liaison on the Board of Directors.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Iowa State Fair: Operates one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the U.S. with a similar mix of agricultural exhibitions, livestock competitions, grandstand concerts, vendor exhibits and community programming on an owned multi-acre fairgrounds campus.
• Ohio State Fair: Operates the Ohio State Fair and the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, hosting agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, concerts, vendor booths and year-round facility rentals. Directly comparable as a Midwestern state fair and multi-building fairground venue operator.
• National Western Stock Show: Operates the National Western Stock Show in Denver, a leading U.S. livestock exhibition with rodeo, horse shows, agricultural education and youth programs. Comparable to the Maryland State Fair's livestock/agricultural education core.
• State Fair of Texas: Operator of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, one of the largest state fairs in the U.S. with comparable activities: livestock shows, carnival midway, concerts, vendor booths, sponsorships and year-round fairground events. The closest analog in scale and mission to the Maryland State Fair.
• Indiana State Fair: Operator of the Indiana State Fair and Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, offering livestock shows, concerts, vendor exhibits and year-round event rentals on an owned fairgrounds campus, similar in scope and mission to the Maryland State Fair.
• Eastern States Exposition (The Big E): Operates the Big E fair in West Springfield, MA, a multi-state regional fair with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, vendor booths, concerts and fairground facility rentals. Comparable as a multi-purpose agricultural fairground operator in the Northeast.
• Minnesota State Fair: One of the largest U.S. state fairs by attendance with comparable structure: 12-day run, livestock and agricultural exhibitions, vendor booths, grandstand concerts and extensive year-round fairgrounds usage. Operated by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, paralleling Maryland's governance.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Operator of a major livestock/agricultural exhibition and rodeo with scholarship programs and year-round events, structurally similar to the Maryland State Fair's livestock shows and youth scholarship mission, though focused on rodeo.

Regional players

• Pennsylvania Farm Show: Operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, hosts the Pennsylvania Farm Show with livestock exhibitions, agricultural competitions and youth programs. Closest geographic analog, though operated by a state agency rather than a private non-profit.

Others

• North American Midway Entertainment: Largest provider of carnival midways in North America, supplying rides, games and fair food to state and county fairs including events comparable to the Maryland State Fair. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, comparable to the Maryland Fair's current midway partner Deggeller.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MDStateFair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDHsq4SX437LZ5lL9y9K60w/featured?reload=9
• Facebookfacebook.com/marylandstatefair
• Instagraminstagram.com/mdstatefair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society