March 6, 2023
More than 50 fairs are happening in Tennessee, bringing family-friendly fun including contests, exhibitions, music performances and carnival rides and games all summer. Here are just a few happening across the state.
Dates reflect 2023 calendar year.
East Tennessee County Fairs
Themed “The Best Six Days of Summer,” the Anderson County Fair at the Anderson County Fairgrounds in Clinton, Tennessee brings fun every day July 17-22, 2023 with concerts every day, contests like a truck pull and pie eating contest and a 4-H showcase. Kids can be a “Farmer For the Day” at the Livestock Barn where they can gather eggs, feed pigs and gather produce for the farmer while learning where food comes from and the importance of farmers. Pay one price for rides at the amusement rides and see the tractor parade.
Photo Credit:
@rachel_.js
Be in Greeneville for the Greene County Fair July 24-29, 2023 at the Greene County Fairgrounds. Entertainment includes tractor and truck pulls, three nights of the demolition derby, a rodeo, trivia contests for prizes and popular events like the Fairest of the Fair, Baby Show and the Youth Talent Contest. Pay one price for carnival rides and test your luck on a number of games while enjoying classic fair foods from deep fried Oreos to kettle corn popcorn and hotdogs and hamburgers.
The Claiborne County Fair takes place Aug. 28-Sept. 2, 2023 on the Claiborne County Fair Grounds. Tickets (cash only) include parking, entertainment and rides. Special events include gospel and bluegrass music, a lawn mower pull, fair beauty pageant, ATV/UTV drag racing, and a demolition derby.
The Sevier County Fair will bring exhibits, livestock shows, contests and more Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2023 to the Sevier County Fairgrounds in Sevierville. Mark your calendar for unique shows like the dog fashion show, KFW Wrestling, Farm Fest celebrating the vital role of agriculture, a performance from the Elizabeth Williams Dancers and a rodeo. Music entertainment will have you dancing along while you wait for rides or fair foods. Children 10 years and under are admitted free. You can get an unlimited ride wristband as well.
See incredible feats from The Marvelous Mutts, local music acts and more.
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@hayleyelizabeth
The Tennessee Valley Fair celebrates summer at Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center Sept. 8-17, 2023 in Knoxville. Special events include performances from Austin East Performing Arts, concerts with headliners Travis Tritt on Sept. 12 and T-Pain on Sept. 14, demolition derby, rodeo, tractor/truck pull and fireworks. Head to the Midway for rides, including the iconic Ferris wheel, carnival games and food like deep-fried foods, ice cream, caramel apples, corn dogs and more. More concert announcements will be announced soon.
Travel back in time to 500 AD at the Tennessee Medieval Faire three weekends in October 2023 - Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22 at 550 Fiske Rd. Harriman, TN 37748 - about 41 miles west of Knoxville. King Arthur reigns and a grand faire and tournament is held in celebration. Kids and adults can enjoy sword fights, jousting and combat chess (humans are the chess pieces and fight to take over the squares). The grand faire and tournament also includes a prized costume contest, original crafts comedy shows, medieval games and delicious food. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
County Fairs near Nashville
Small town charm is on full display at the Bedford County Fair.
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@fernweh.freya
The Bedford County Fair will bring a full schedule of events and a carnival July 17-22, 2023 at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center in Shelbyville, Tennessee. See who’s crowned Miss Bedford County Fair, marvel at vintage cars at the cruise-in, enter in the cornhole tournament, watch the donkey and mini mule show competition and music performances Wednesday-Saturday. An antique tractor pull, performance from the Mid-State Cloggers, mule show and so much more are scheduled.
The Putnam County Fair takes place Aug. 3-12, 2023 in Cookeville with a jam-packed schedule of music, pageants and more. New for 2023 is a Green Thumb Challenge, scaregrow content, new motorsport - bump & run and live judging of sweet treats like lemon dessert, southern fried pies and pecan pies. See “Grand Ma’s Barnyard,” a reproduction of a real 1940s and 1950s barnyard for animal-loving children and adults. A log cabin, garden, blacksmith, spinning and weaving, cast iron cooking demonstrations and pony rides can all be found here. See bull riders at the rodeo and take a spin on one of the amusement rides.
The Williamson County Fair will bring entertainment to Franklin crowds Aug. 4-12, 2023. Check out all the creative exhibits, BMX Trickstars, fireworks every night, sea lion splash, Robocars and, of course, loads of Midway rides from the classic Ferris wheel to the new Jekyll & Hyde thrill ride. There are children-friendly rides as well. More music and attractions will be announced in the coming weeks.
A country store with locally made items is a featured attraction at the Cumberland County Fair.
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@chfpphotography
Experience an old-fashioned country store full of home grown and handmade items during the Cumberland County Fair Aug. 14-19, 2023 in Crossville. A variety of contests are planned from photography to baking, pageants to art and floral arrangements. Animal shows include cows, goats, rabbits, sheep and mules. Ride the iconic Rock and Roll Musik Express, a full-size Himalaya-style ride than accommodates up to 60 riders per ride. Other rides and carnival games will be featured as well as a number of food options.
The Tennessee State Fair and the Wilson County Fair at James E. Ward Agricultural Center Aug. brings six stages of music, livestock shows, nine motorized events including a side-by-side rodeo and four-wheeler rodeo Aug. 17-26, 2023 in Lebanon. Ride the new Hulk, Ice Jet and New York NY rides. Little ones will love kiddie rides like the monster truck, Nascar speedway, mini wave swinger and mini tea cups. Barbecue competitions, 4-H and livestock shows and a variety of exhibits round out the entertainment.
Have fair fun in Lawrenceburg.
Photo Credit:
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
The Middle Tennessee District Fair happens every year during the last week of September in Lawrenceburg. It's Lawrence County's largest annual event and includes fair fun like livestock shows, tractor pulls and rides on the Ferris wheel. Enjoy classic foods like corndogs, funnel cakes and candy apples. Browse exhibit halls where an array of competitions take place from the best baked goods to various crops and crafts. Mark your calendar for the 2023 dates: Sept. 21-30, 2023.
Fairs in and near Memphis
The Obion County Fair celebrates the contributions of agriculture with an extensive list of competitions, exhibits and entertainment Aug. 19-26, 2023 at the Obion County Fair Grounds. The Main Stage will host pageants, championship wrestling and nightly drawings for prizes. Enjoy nightly entertainment including a duck calling contest, Kids Day activities, a pet show and more. The Back Porch Stage is where you’ll find live music during the fair from local and regional artists. Take a ride on the amusement rides and see one of the motorized events like mud racing or the demolition derby.
The Delta Fair & Music Festival in Memphis hosts more than 150 acts on three stages Sept. 1-10, 2023. Daily events include a children’s parade, Masters of Chainsaw, the Royal Hanneford Circus, Lady Houdini, pig races, banana derby, a comedy magic show and aquatic acrobatic show. Be there for the special events like dance competitions, Star of the Fair, Delta 500 Derby, Disney meet and greets for little ones, lawn mower races and the waterless boat race. Enjoy a rock wall, mechanical bull rides and 4-H showcases.
Competitions, carnival games and more are part of the West Tennessee State Fair.
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@jennahazelwoodphoto
The West Tennessee State Fair comes to Jackson Sept. 14-19, 2021 at Fairgrounds Park. Event details will be released soon, but past fairs have included competitions like a lip sync battle, pageants, livestock competitions, demolition derby, arts fair and West Tennessee’s Top Voice, the area’s largest singing competition where the winner walks away with $500 and bragging rights. Music, amusement rides and special events will be on the fair schedule.
Plan a summer that rocks by attending one or more of these statewide fairs. Check out more events now playing in Tennessee.
