Festival Grounds Comparison: Delaware State Fair Vs. Delaware Junction Festival

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Vendors, musicians and rides were set up prior to Thursday, July 23, with the anticipation of large crowds at the annual Delaware State Fair. The annual 10-day event showcases more than 450 retail food vendors and 55 carnival rides. Fair organizers generally see around 300,000 people. The Delaware State Fairgrounds are home to many other events, including the brand new Delaware Junction Festival.

Photo: Delaware State Fair

Over the Aug. 14-16 weekend, the fairgrounds hosted the first ever Delaware Junction Festival. The 3-day country music event, hosted by Live Nation, featured such headliners as Jason Aldean, Toby Keith and Florida Georgia Line. Other featured attractions included a Vertigo Swing, Giant Water Slide and Foam Party.

Delaware Junction Festival turnout was much smaller than the Delaware State Fair, however, the country music festival exceeded their estimated 15,000 in attendance with over 20,000 people throughout the weekend. Delaware State Fair Assistant General Manager Danny Aguilar said the group was a pleasure to work with.

“We worked very closely together, it worked out very well,” Aguilar said.

Delaware State Fair organizers had 4-7 days to get things cleaned up from the fair, including the tents, food vendors, campers and livestock tents. Just two days after the Delaware Junction Festival, fairgrounds will be completely clear, Aguilar said.

“They are very experienced at breaking down and have done an excellent job,” he said.

Just moments before the Florida Georgia Line show on Sunday night, festival creator Alex Pires happily announced that the festival would be back again in Sussex County for another year.

“We will work closely with them once again to make the event even better,” Aguilar said.