Charles County Fairgrounds and Event Center — Attraction in La Plata

So, this could have been a good find. Sadly, they disappointed. I was impressed when we parked. Grass everywhere I looked. We got out of the car and it was as fantastic as it seemed. We walked the grounds, large bleacher set up facing the upcoming fireworks display. Here's where it took a turn for the worse. We wandered to the concession stand and there was quite a line. You figure fairgrounds, how bad can it be? An hour and a half, that's how bad. The fireworks were nice except... The concession area, they left their blinding lights on facing us. One would imagine that given the fact that they were in the center of a fireworks show, they would have had the decency to mute it or find an acceptable, non-blinding compromise. Nope. Fireworks over, eyes seared from the light we hopped into the car to head home. Next issue . Traffic control. Nope. Not really. I know leaving any large event is not an easy task. The local police decided that a series of confusing merges, some with turn lanes from the highway traveling in the other direction entering them, and pedestrians crossing dark 4 lane roads. I know that I shouldn't blame the local police for such folly but, they deal with traffic control for the fairgrounds on a regular basis. If this is the level of service that they provide, I hope you find someone who can help you do this better. No, I won't be going back if I can help it. Sorry folks, I know some of you love it, I probably could too but not if this is the example that...

This is by far the WORST fair in all of DC, MD, and VA (DMV)!!!!!! Why? Because of management's failure to compensate the hard-working patrons who spent hundreds of dollars to attend the fair and festivities management chose to shut down the fair in its entirety due to small disturbance between two individuals. This disturbance was quickly deesclated by security. Rather than allow, the fun to continue. Management decision to shut down the fair including rides that were in full motion!!! They actually told ride controllers to STOP rides with people on them, leaving riders stuck!!!! Management vehemently REFUSED to give refunds for the cost of tickets and entrance fees!!!!!Patrons were wrongfully blamed for an incident that had NOTHING to do with the disturbance. Patrons were told to come back tomorrow or wait for another county’s fair next week to use their tickets by management. Management’s failure to compensate patrons for their decision to shut down the fair...

If you are going for the food...you are wasting your time and money. I've been to fairs in different states and they had way more variety.

Unfortunately you are NOT going to find turkey legs, corn on the cob, or tons of food vendors with deep fried weird stuff like you usually see.

As of 2023, they had 1 stand with deep fried stuff and the line went around. All the lines were so long because there were not enough food vendors to supply hundreds and hundreds of people at the fair. I was disappointed.

You see the typical hot dog/bratwurst, pizza, chicken tenders. BORING. I want food I can't get anywhere else during the year.

If anyone is reading this and has some culinary skills please help Charles...