State Fair of Virginia media credentials now available
DOSWELL (Sept. 4, 2026)—The State Fair of Virginia will open Sept. 25, and organizers are thrilled to welcome news professionals back to cover the fair’s many exciting attractions.
Media credentials are now available to newspaper, radio and television personnel. News professionals interested in covering the fair may email Christina Amano Dolan at christina.dolan@vafb.com to secure credentials. Please include your contact information, dates you plan to cover the fair, and the names of other staff members who also will need credentials.
It’s also helpful to provide information on what you plan to report on while at the fair, or whether you want to arrange an interview.
All media professionals should expect to be escorted on the property during their visits, including prior to opening day.
Credentials are to be used only for media professionals covering the fair. Tickets for friends and family may be purchased at StateFairVa.org.
All approved credentials will be emailed to news personnel beginning
Parking will be available at The Meadow Event Park in Parking Lot L. The lot is accessible through Gate 2, which is the last gate on the left heading east on state Route 30 after exiting Interstate 95. You must have your emailed media credential to enter the fair.
Tickets will not be available for purchase at Gate 2, so you must have a fair ticket or credential pass for each person in your party. As an added security measure, walk-through scanners will be placed at an entry point near Lot L. Please direct any questions regarding media credentials or special accommodations to Amano Dolan.
This year’s State Fair will celebrate “Virginia’s Best of Show,” highlighting the traditions, talent, entertainment and competitions that embody blue-ribbon excellence across the commonwealth.
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia will run from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. Information is available at StateFairVa.org.
The State Fair is held each fall at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County and attracts over 200,000 fairgoers. The event celebrates the best of Virginia’s past, present and future through scholarship initiatives, creative programming and a focus on the commonwealth’s agriculture and natural resources industries.
Since 2013 the State Fair has awarded 2,903 scholarships and over $1.15 million to support youth education. The fair offers youth more than $100,000 each year in scholarship funds through 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions and specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions.