Hopkinton State Fair

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalContoocook
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe Hopkinton State Fair's identity rests on
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Hopkinton State Fair in Contoocook

The Hopkinton State Fair, held over Labor Day weekend in Contoocook, New Hampshire, traces back to a two-day agricultural fair first staged in 1915. Now billed as New Hampshire's largest fair, it fills the grounds behind Hopkinton High School with livestock shows, pulling contests, a demolition derby, a midway, a farmers market and grandstand entertainment across five days.

The Hopkinton State Fair began in 1915 as a two-day event organized by the Contoocook Board of Trade, held at George's Park in Contoocook village and known then as the Hopkinton Fair or the Contoocook Valley Fair.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Hopkinton State Fair's identity rests on being the largest and, in many ways, the most complete agricultural fair in New Hampshire, combining serious livestock competition with full carnival spectacle

02

The mystery stays covered

Draft horse and cattle pulling contests and livestock shows covering sheep, beef and dairy cattle, goats and pigs sit alongside grandstand attractions like the long-running 'Not So World Famous' demolition derby and monster truck shows, while a farmers market sells fresh produce and homemade goods grown within the region

03

The city starts moving

Having run continuously, aside from a wartime gap in the 1940s, since 1915, and carried the 'State Fair' name since 1985, it functions as both a genuine agricultural showcase and the county's biggest end-of-summer party

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Livestock judging and pulling contests

Water and renewal

Living ritual

carried over from the fair's founding as an agricultural showcase for the Contoocook Board of Trade in 1915

The sacred route

Living ritual

remain the core of the schedule alongside newer grandstand traditions like the 'Not So World Famous' demolition derby

The local code

Living ritual

The fair has run on Labor Day weekend for generations

Tradition 5

Living ritual

giving it an established role as New Hampshire's traditional send-off to summer

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and it retains close ties to 4-H and area farm families who exhibit animals and produce each year

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Contoocook you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Late-summer New England attire: shorts or light pants, a t-shirt and a hat for sun exposure during the day, with a light jacket for cooler Labor Day evenings. Closed-toe shoes are strongly...

Safety

For Hopkinton State Fair, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Hopkinton State Fair does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.32 N, 71.62 WOpen in Google Maps

Contoocook, NH

Nearest airportPWM — Portland International Jetport
TransportStay close enough to the part of Contoocook you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Hopkinton State Fair does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Contoocook via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Contoocook, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLate-summer New England attire: shorts or light pants, a t-shirt and a hat for sun exposure during the day, with a light jacket for cooler Labor Day evenings. Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended given the livestock barns, dirt midway paths and grandstand areas, and clothes you don't mind getting a little dusty or muddy.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hopkinton State Fair?

Hopkinton State Fair is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hopkinton State Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Contoocook, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Contoocook, NH

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhsfair.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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