Kitsap Fair and Stampede
Take an RV adventure to Washington State's scenic Kitsap Peninsula and experience a fair and rodeo unlike any other, the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede.
Event information
Kitsap County Washington is home to one of the biggest, family-friendly events in the region, the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede. Every August, the Kitsap County fairgrounds transform into an unforgettable event that brings back guests year after year.
While most state and county fairs have rides, entertainment, food, games, and livestock competitions, the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede takes their event to the next level. The traditional fair activities take place during the event, but with so much more to see and do. Imagine eating funnel cakes and kettle corn during the day, and then at night, witnessing the venue transform into a star-spangled rodeo.
If rodeos and western activities aren't your thing, there is no need to cry in your cowboy boots. Instead, toss the western-wear aside and put on your best trucker caps and your sturdiest boots, and head over to the Destruction Derby.
The Kitsap County Fair is the one-stop-shop for entertainment and fun. During the five day event, something is happening on almost every stage, every arena, and every corner of the venue. It's up to you to determine what you'd like to see and do during your stay.
Instead of staying in a hotel during the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede, see Washington's scenic Kitsap Peninsula and experience the excitement of the fair by taking your RV, trailer, or motorhome on a Pacific Northwest adventure. If you don't have an RV, this event is the ideal opportunity to rent an RV and see why people return to the fair and stampede every year.
Tickets
The Kitsap County Fair and Stampede makes it easy for everyone to experience a day of fun without having to break the bank. Since there are numerous events taking place during the fair and stampede, each activity has different pricing. For families who want to come and experience the fair, the cost of admission is free, and all you have to pay is for parking. Some concert events, the rodeo and stampede, and the Destruction Derby have fees for admission. Prices vary for the event, concert, and activity, so it is best to consult the ticketing website for pricing specifics.
Explore Kitsap Fair and Stampede RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
The Kitsap County Fair and Stampede is easy to reach from areas both on the Kitsap Peninsula and outside of the peninsula. The venue is approximately 75 miles from Seattle and 42 miles from Tacoma, Washington. Depending on the route you choose, and where you stay for the night, you may have to cross over bodies of water on bridges or by a ferry. Some of the bridges and ferries may have weight and size restrictions for your RV, so it is best to plan your route accordingly. Detailed driving instructions are available on the event website, and Kitsap County Public Works provides up-to-date traffic information during the event.
Parking areas
The Kitsap County Fairgrounds is a large venue with ample parking. RV parking is generally limited to vendors and participants. People who want to bring RVs or oversized vehicles to the event should contact the event hosts to inquire about parking limitations as parking rules may change from year to year.
Public Transportation
Kitsap County Fair and Stampede is located near a public transportation bus route, helping to make it easier to get to and from the event if you don't want to drive your rig near the congested fairgrounds. Kitsap Transit also helps provide shuttle service for people who need ADA accessible parking and transportation assistance during the event. Fairgoers who want to get to the event quickly without worrying about parking may also take a taxi or rideshare to the venue.
Where to stay
Onsite
The Kitsap County Fairgrounds makes it easy for vendors and participants to stay onsite in self-contained RVs, travel trailers, truck campers, and camper vans. Participants and vendors who wish to camp onsite should be aware that there are no hookups, and every camper should come prepared for primitive-style, parking-lot camping. Site sizes vary, so it is best to contact the venue to determine if your rig is compatible with the space provided.
If you plan to attend the fair as a member of the general public, there are several camping options for you near the venue.
Nearby
People who want to attend the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede during the day but sleep next to the water in a more relaxing setting at night have several RV-friendly options nearby. Staying in a state park is always an excellent choice because you get to experience camping while still staying close to big-city activities.
Illahee State Park, the closest state park, is eight miles from the fairgrounds; Kitsap Memorial State Park is located approximately 15 miles from the fairgrounds; Manchester State Park is 23 miles from the event, and Belfair State Park is located 26 miles from the venue. If you prefer more resort-style camping, you are in luck. The area in and around the Kitsap County Fairgrounds is bursting with RV resorts.
Don't forget to plan for your driving-day destinations. En route to the Kitsap Fair and Stampede, consider staying at either the Seattle / Tacoma KOA or the Olympic Peninsula / KOA Journey, both about 60 miles from the venue.
Getting around
Once you get to the event, the best mode of transportation is walking. If you have little ones, you might want to consider bringing a stroller to tote your toddlers who tire quickly. The Kitsap County Fair and Stampede has methods in place to ensure everyone has an opportunity to experience a wide range of fun events. For specific accessibility questions, contact a member of the fair or stampede staff.
What to pack
Clothing
Prepare for your trip to the fair and stampede by bringing along comfortable clothing items for both events. For the fair, consider packing lightweight, layering pieces just in case you need to warm up or cool down quickly. Comfortable shoes like tennis shoes or closed-toed shoes are best for walking or riding fast-moving rides. For the stampede and rodeo, bring your best jeans, cowboy boots, and bejeweled baseball caps or cowboy hats. The rodeo experience is much more fun when you look the part.
Gear
Before leaving home, pack your rig with all of the gear you will need for camping as well as the fair and stampede. Choose the equipment that will best support your chosen campsite. If you are staying in a primitive camping location, be sure to pack your propane stove, extra propane, folding chairs, and your solar panels. If you've chosen a more modern camping facility, pack the items you'll need to stay comfortable during the nights back at your rig, like mosquito coils and lap blankets. For the fair and stampede, what you need is up to you.
Health & Safety
Prepare yourself for a day of fried food and fast rides by bringing everything you may need to feel comfortable after indulging, spinning, and dropping. Water, pain relievers, and upset stomach medication might help ease your symptoms if you do overdo it. Since you will be outside in the sun most of the day, don't forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.
Where to eat
Cooking
Food is within minutes of your campsite if you stay at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, but perhaps at the end of a long day of games, activities, concerts, and sweets, all you want to do is head towards your campsite and cook up a healthy dinner. Since the campsites are all primitive, and because the fairground camping areas prohibit open-flame cooking on charcoal grills, your best bet is to plan meals that are easy to cook on your propane stove.
No matter where you camp, if you plan ahead and cook meals like spaghetti or tacos, all you have to do when you get back to camp is to take your dinner from the refrigerator and warm it on the stove. Dinner in less than 15 minutes is always a good thing.
Restaurants
If you don't get enough to eat at the fair, or you've had your fill of funnel cakes, fried cookies, and cotton candy, don't worry; there are plenty of places to eat near the fairgrounds. Whether you are craving fresh seafood or you want to stop and grab a cup of coffee, there are restaurants, coffee shops, and fast food minutes away, as this area is bursting with places to find food and drinks.
Vendors
Nothing says a fair like fried food or food on a stick. Each year, the vendors line up to be a part of the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede, so there is always a variety of food and drinks on site to help satisfy your cravings. In case you want something other than food, there are vendors selling items that will make both you and your kids happy.
Safety
Security
The security staff at the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede are on site during the event to make sure everyone feels safe from as far as the parking lots to as close as the daily ride inspections. Different areas of the event will have security staff taking tickets and giving people directions. If you need assistance during your visit, be sure to locate a member of the security team for help.
Weather
When you think of the Pacific Northwest, you probably think of cloudy skies and rainy weather. Thankfully, August isn't always wet and rainy. Average temperatures in Kitsap County during August range from 76° for the high and 55° for the low. While you can't rule out a stray rain shower, it only rains on average for three days in August.
Medical
No one wants to feel sick during a vacation, but if you happen to need medical care during your visit to Washington, the Kitsap Peninsula has everything you might need to get yourself back to feeling like yourself in no time. There are several medical facilities within three miles of the Kitsap Country Fair venue, including hospitals, urgent care, and pharmacies.
