July 6, 2021
More than 50 fairs are happening in 2021 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.
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 now through July 17, 2021 with concerts every day featuring Taylor Abbott and The Solway Ridge Band, Marlee Hart and The Bonfire Blue Band, The Coveralls Band, Willow Mae and Chillbillies; contests like a truck pull and pie eating contest and a 4-H showcase. Kids can be a “Farmer For the Day” 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.
Be in Greeneville for the Greene County Fair July 26-31, 2021 at the Greene County Fairgrounds. 2021 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.
Gates open 5 p.m. daily at the Claiborne County Fair Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2021 on the Claiborne County Fair Grounds. A $15 ticket includes 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. 31-Sept. 6, 2021 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 includes performances by the Griffin Band, Rudy Uresti, Warman Trio, Shaun Abbott, Southern Spirit and more. Admission for adults is $6 Sept. 1-5 and $10 Sept. 6-7. Children 10 years and under are admitted free. You can get an unlimited ride wristband for $20 as well.
See incredible feats from The Marvelous Mutts, local music acts and more.
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@hayleyelizabeth
The Tennessee Valley Fair celebrates 100 years at Chilhowee Park and Exposition Center Sept. 10-19, 2021 in Knoxville. Special events include a performance from Anastasini Circus, cute animals from Little Ponderosa Zoo, amazing feats from The Marvelous Mutts, a beer garden for adults and antique engines and tractors on display. 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. Stay for music entertainment from Jon Langston, John Anderson, Riley Green, En Vogue, The Prince Xperience – the most authentic production of Prince and The Revolution to the world, and Joe Nichols and fireworks to cap the days. More concert announcements will be announced soon.
Middle Tennessee County Fairs
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 19-24, 2021 at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center in Shelbyville, Tennessee. See who’s crowned Miss Bedford County Fair, see vintage cars at the cruise-in, cornhole tournament, fun dog show and music performances Wednesday-Saturday. An antique tractor pull, performance from the Mid-State Cloggers, mule show and so much more are scheduled during the fair. For ease of access, the trolley will run nightly from the parking area to the fair gate.
The Putnam County Fair takes place July 29-Aug. 7, 2021 in Cookeville with a jam-packed schedule of music, pageants and more. 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. On Aug. 2, the fair will host a big party that includes music from Backroads Band and Jack Hoot followed by a fireworks show to celebrate 95 years of the fair.
The Williamson County Fair will bring entertainment to Franklin crowds Aug. 6-14, 2021 featuring new additions like The Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show, glassblowing art from Ryan Gothrup and new amusement rides like the Fighter and new Ferris wheel, Eagle 16 Wheel. The Piccolo Zoppe Boutique Circus brings their artistic show to audiences and the XPOGO Stunt Team will provide endless entertainment with their thrilling stunts. See chainsaw art and robocars and walk through Jurassic Kingdom. Enjoy fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays and contribute to the Community Art Project at the Cultural Arts Exhibit.
This year, the Tennessee State Fair and the Wilson County Fair will join together to form the largest fair in Tennessee at James E. Ward Agricultural Center Aug. 12-21, 2021 in Lebanon. This year’s fair honors hometown heroes from EMTs to doctors, police officers and firefighters. Competitions include a cornbread challenge, baking contest, arm wrestling, brick Olympics, cat competition, door and tablescape competitions. A 4-wheeler rodeo, barrel and pole rodeo and truck, tractor and farm stock tractor pulls can also be enjoyed. Get half-off admission (adults $6; children 6-12 years old $3) and $1 per ride as part of the Opening Day Special Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. Or, purchase online to beat the ticket lines: adults are $12 and children 6-12 years old are $6. An unlimited ride wristband is $25 or individual ride tickets are $1 each.
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. 23-28, 2021 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.
West Tennessee County Fairs
The Obion County Fair celebrates the contributions of agriculture with an extensive list of competitions, exhibits and entertainment Aug. 21-28, 2021 at the Obion County Fair Grounds. The Main Stage will host pageants, championship wrestling and nightly drawings for prizes. The Whitney Cozart Pavilion will host nightly entertainment including a duck calling contest, Kids Day activities, a pet show and the 2021 Obion County FairShow musical. 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. 3-12, 2021. 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 helicopter rides, 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.
On Sept. 20-25, 2021 the Hardin County Agricultural Fair will take place at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. You’ll find amusement rides, a demolition derby, carnival and amusement rides and more being hosted across the five-day celebration. Enter the talent show, see the rodeo and spend a beautiful summer night under the lights of the Ferris wheel.
At the Lauderdale County Fairgrounds, the Lauderdale County Fair will bring entertainment for all ages Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2021. A barbecue cook-off fills the air with delicious smells as ATV pulls, wrestling and a car show take place. See the various livestock shows and pet shows, concerts, exhibits, mini-tractors and Choctaw Social Dancing. The Kids Zone will be popular with children of all ages and you’ll want to sit in on a storytelling performance. End the day with carnival rides and fair food favorites from kettle corn to corn dogs.
Plan a summer that rocks by attending one or more of these statewide fairs. Check out more events now playing in Tennessee.
