For many people throughout Washington, a summer highlight is attending the local fair. In fact, many folks in the Olympia area have attended Capital Lakefair, which wraps up this weekend.

The main fair season is coming up. The Seafair Torchlight Night is July 29 and Seafair Weekend is Aug. 4-6. And the Washington State Fair in Puyallup is Sept. 1-24. Go here to see a listing of fairs, festivals and other events in our state this year.

Fairs are fun for many reasons: seeing farm animals up close, going on rides, walking through the carnival area, and of course, indulging in fair food!

Fairs have been a part of Washington summers for many decades. If you need proof, just check out the fair photos from yesteryear that you can find at the State Digital Archives.

The first photo shows a horse-pulled wagon and driver racing in front of the Puyallup Fairgrounds grandstand around 1960. It’s found in the General Subjects Photograph Collection, 1845-2005.

The second image displays the symbol for the 1937 Lind 4-H Fair and Carnival.

The next photo features a girl and horse at a fair in Adams County in 1948. The second and third images are found in the A M Kendrick Collection.

The bottom photo captures a packed grandstand at the Interstate Fair in Spokane County. This photo is found in the Charles Libby Collection.