Photo by Kevin H.

OK, so we’re not a state, but D.C. State Fair certainly does sound a lot better than D.C. Federal Enclave Fair. The Hill is Home wrote yesterday that the D.C. State Fair returns this year, and will take place in Barracks Row on September 22:

But at the D.C. State Fair, you’re not going to find a deep-fried Oreo, pig races or a cow carved out of butter. You will, however, find a competitive batch of bakers, brewers and craft makers competing for the title of Washington’s best.

Even better, this year Capitol Hill residents have home field advantage. The fair will take place as part of Barracks Row Fall Festival on Saturday, September 22nd, which means you have time to perfect that pie recipe or knit together a crazy yarn bomb (see: Albert Einstein Memorial for inspiration).

This is the third consecutive year for the D.C. State Fair. It started with a group of food and garden bloggers, who wanted to showcase local growers and artists, similar to other regional state and county fairs.

“Folks sometimes asked: ‘Why call it the D.C. State Fair?’ We are going for a culturally analogous concept to the state fairs that take place in Maryland and Virginia, and that transplanted residents might have grown up with in other regions,” said fair organizer, Rhea Kennedy. “Instead of encompassing counties, we bring together the eight wards of the District.”

Last year’s fair was cancelled due to torrential rains, but organizers for this year’s fair—the third—promise everything from contests on best cupcake, homebrewed beer and bicycle accessory.

Correction: Last year’s state fair did take place, though on a later date than planned and on another rainy day.