Five Things You Need to Know About the Maryland State Fair

Today Timonium becomes the most popular town in Maryland (for at least the next 11 days). 

Are you ready for the ? 

While the annual celebration of all things 4H, fried food, carnival games and farm animals is certainly a spectacle, there are some essential tidbits of information you need to know to maximize your day. 

Patch is here to help. 

Transportation

For starters, there are three ways to gain entry into the Maryland State Fairgrounds property—chief among them is the Light Rail. 

You are almost guaranteed parking at one of the three Light Right stops that bisect Lutherville-Timonium: Timonium Fairgrounds, Timonium Business Park and Lutherville. Here is a map just in case.

If you park at the Timonium Fairgrounds, stop off of Deereco Road you can literally cross the tracks and you're there. 

For people who insist on driving, and playing the ever-unpredictable game of "Can I Find a Parking Spot?" there are two entrances to the property—although parking will be filled by noon, if not earlier. 

This handy set of directions should help.  

Just remember, there are NO LEFT TURNS into the property. Take the Padonia Road exit from Interstate 83, make a right on York Road and follow the traffic cones. 

If all else fails, there were be certain individuals slinging parking spots on the cheap in the area throughout the day. 

Good luck. 

Traffic

Keep in mind that traffic will be nutty coming and going along the York Road corridor. 

Maryland State Police, however, will be on hand to direct the flow of cars in and out of the fairgrounds. 

The only real worry is that with three all-star musical acts coming to town, roadway congestion is almost a certainty. 

The first hurdle will be tonight as  and The Scene storm into Timonium. Her near sellout show will bring close to 10,000 additional fans to the fairgrounds. 

Weather

Speaking of storming—and famous ladies—is everybody ready for Hurricane Irene? 

The National Weather Service is calling for a wet weekend, making today the optimum day to enjoy the fair. 

• Today: Mostly sunny ... High near 85 ... Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m ... 20 percent chance of precipitation. 
• Tonight: Mostly cloudy ... Low around 72 ... 20 percent chance of showers before 11 p.m.
• Saturday: Cloudy ... High near 81 ... Chance of showers and thunderstorms ... 60 percent chance of precipitation ... Wind speeds between 18 and 21 m.p.h. 
• Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorms ... Heavy rainfall possible ... Low around 69 ... Winds between 32 and 44 m.p.h. ... 100 percent chance of precipitation. 
• Sunday: Showers likely before 2 p.m. ... Cloudy ... Hear near 79 ... 60 percent chance of precipitation. 
• Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy and windy ... Low around 62 ... 30 percent chance of precipitation. 

Dress accordingly. 

Costs 

Cash is king at the State Fair, especially if you plan on making a few bets at the horse track. 

Here is the breakdown of all admission costs for the Maryland State Fair. 

We'll be giving away free tickets to the State Fair later in the week, so keep reading! 

What People Are Saying

While Patch prides itself on being first in the communities we cover to report the big news, we can't ignore the scores of other media outlets (OK, mostly The Sun) who turn their eyes to Timonium this week. 

Here is the Baltimore Sun's preview story of the fair. 

Hungry? This tantalizing photo gallery won't help. 

Craft beers will be available at the State Fair for the first time in its 130-year history, according to Erik Maza of The Sun.

Feel free to add links to stories that you like about the State Fair in the comments section. Also, be sure to add your photos to site as we cover the ins and outs of the Timonium Fairgrounds all week. 

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