Why Should Delaware Care?
The Delaware State Fair is one of the state’s biggest agricultural and entertainment venues of the year, drawing in thousands of guests annually. Plus, who doesn’t love a good funnel cake?
Spotlight Delaware visited Harrington earlier this week to report on the sights, sounds and unique bites to behold the Delaware State Fair.
As the annual attraction nears its end on Aug. 1, we compiled some of our favorite photos from the event.
Reporters spent the day Wednesday trolling about the fairgrounds, witnessing the culmination of a hard year’s work of animal rearing, speaking with future generations of Delaware farmers, and eating plenty of fried Oreos.
Between an evening parade, the fluorescent lights and, of course, the animals, here are some of the best shots from Spotlight Delaware’s trip to the state fair.
Tito, a steer raised at Bodine Farms in Hartly, lounges at the Delaware State Fair. Tito is quite large. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY NICK STONESIFER 
A boy guides a horse to one of the many stables at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY NICK STONESIFER 
Curtis Smith, also known as Johnny D the Robot Ranger, gives a fairgoer a high-five. Smith, who said he is from London, Kentucky, likes dancing and getting “groovy.” He also said he’s a sucker for funnel cake. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY NICK STONESIFER 
Cows raised by Mark’Em Cattle Company rest in their pens beneath a sign celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Independence Day. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
A goat prepares to be shown at the Delaware State Fair. One farmer said the goats wear hoods to keep them clean before showing. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY NICK STONESIFER 
Fairgoers ride the chair swing in the early evening. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
Goose, an 18-month-old steer, was crowned the 2026 Delaware State Fair Grand Champion on Tuesday evening. He was raised by Catherine Maguire (right) on a farm in Hartly. Goose also happens to weigh 1,310 pounds. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY NICK STONESIFER 
A young girl shows a cow during the Open Dairy Cattle Show. We can’t help but to appreciate the matching spots on her scrunchie. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
Stuffed animals line a dart tossing game, waiting to be won. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
Lambs wait to be shown at the Delaware State Fair, where they will face a judge’s scrutiny. They’re all winners in our hearts. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
Van Bull cleans up cow dung in a barn. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
Van Bull rides on top of a Jeep during a parade at the Delaware State Fair, this time, without a pitchfork. SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
Attendees walk past food stands at the 2026 Delaware State Fair. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
State Sen. Dave Wilson (R-Lincoln) (right) wears a top hat as he drives a carriage through the Delaware State Fair. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
In between pens, a young farmer is hard at work tending to his cattle. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
The Strolling Boom Box, operated by DJ Johnny Rockett, rolls through the crowd. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
A young man shows a cow during the Open Dairy Cattle Show. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
A carnival classic: the ferris wheel. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELSA KEGELMAN 
A young cowboy watches intently at the Delaware State Fair’s Open Dairy Cattle Show. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER 
Johnny D the Robot Ranger waves at fairgoers. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ELLA WALKER
