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De Witt County Illinois Fairgrounds Events

The DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds are located at 7564 Business Route 51, Clinton, Illinois 61727, in central Illinois. The grounds serve as a venue for youth agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, horse and pony competitions, and general 4-H project displays.

Clinton, the DeWitt County seat, is the principal location for these youth events. The fairgrounds have designated spaces for livestock, horses, general projects, and visitor parking, allowing different competitions to take place across the property.

The annual schedule includes activities coordinated through the University of Illinois Extension’s DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt unit. The grounds are particularly important to local 4-H members, whose projects give families and visitors a chance to see agricultural skills, animal care, and practical learning in action.

The site map identifies a show barn, beef barn, goat, sheep and swine barn, horse facilities, a building for rabbits and poultry, and a general project building. These facilities make the property more specialized than a venue used only for concerts or community gatherings.

Upcoming Events at DeWitt County Fairgrounds

The 2026–2027 event calendar

The main events associated with DeWitt County’s fair season include the DeWitt-Macon-Piatt 4-H livestock and general project show, horse and pony shows, and the separate Farmer City Fair.

The published 2026 Illinois county fair calendar listed the following dates:

Event2026 datesLocation
DeWitt County 4-H Fair Association eventJune 27–28Clinton
DeWitt-Macon-Piatt 4-H livestock and general project showJuly 9–12Clinton
Farmer City FairJuly 20–25Farmer City

These are 2026 dates, not confirmed dates for 2027. As of October 2026, visitors should check for the next season’s announcements before arranging travel.

Livestock exhibition inside a Midwestern county 4-H fair barn

Other events and facility rentals

The grounds are organized primarily around agricultural education and youth exhibitions. Horse shows, livestock judging, and general project displays are established activities. Do not assume that demolition derbies, rodeos, gun shows, flea markets, or touring concerts are scheduled unless an organizer announces them.

Anyone planning a private gathering, vendor event, or outside-group activity should contact the local Extension office to ask which facilities are available, whether rentals are permitted, and what insurance or supervision requirements apply.

The DeWitt County Fair and Annual Fair Dates

When is DeWitt County Fair held?

DeWitt County has more than one fair-related event, so visitors should distinguish the Clinton-based 4-H shows from the Farmer City Fair.

The 2026 DeWitt County 4-H Fair Association event in Clinton was scheduled for June 27–28, 2026. The DeWitt-Macon-Piatt 4-H show followed on July 9–12, 2026. The Farmer City Fair, another event listed for DeWitt County, was scheduled for July 20–25, 2026.

The official 2027 dates and daily programs should be confirmed when published rather than inferred from the previous year’s schedule.

Livestock shows and competitive exhibits

The Clinton fairgrounds host youth competitions in several livestock categories. The 2026 show schedule included:

  • Beef cattle and swine judging.
  • Goat and sheep shows.
  • Poultry and rabbit exhibitions.
  • Horse and pony competitions.
  • General projects and Cloverbud exhibits.
  • A master showmanship contest and awards program.

General projects provide young exhibitors with an opportunity to present work beyond livestock. The exact classes, age divisions, judging criteria, and eligibility rules are determined by the annual show book.

Youth livestock exhibitor presenting a beef animal at a county fair

Carnival rides, food, and entertainment

Carnival rides, wristband offers, grandstand performers, and food vendors should not be treated as guaranteed features of the Clinton 4-H show. The available 2026 show information establishes agricultural competitions but does not confirm a specific carnival operator, ride count, ticket price, or concert lineup.

Visitors should verify whether a particular fair event includes a midway, concessions, public entertainment, or admission charges before attending. Where food stands are available, visitors can ask event organizers whether local clubs or community organizations operate them.

Facilities and Grounds

The DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds have several purpose-built exhibition areas.

Horse arena and agricultural exhibition buildings at a rural Illinois fairground

Exhibition buildings and livestock areas

The published site map identifies the following facilities:

  • Fulkerson Building: Used for rabbit and poultry exhibits.
  • Show barn: A central livestock exhibition space.
  • Beef barn and south show arena: Areas associated with cattle activities.
  • Goat, sheep and swine barn: Dedicated space for these livestock categories.
  • Horse building and horse arena: Facilities for equine events.
  • General project building: Space for non-livestock youth exhibits.
  • Kitchen and patio: A designated shared-use area.

The map also marks restrooms, a garage, parking, handicap parking, horse stalls, and a practice arena. Exact building capacities, total acreage, public camping availability, and the number of accessible restrooms should be confirmed with the grounds’ management.

Accessibility, parking, and visitor amenities

Handicap parking is identified on the fairgrounds map. Visitors who need step-free routes, accessible seating, or specific restroom facilities should confirm current arrangements before arriving.

Parking is shown within the grounds, but no verified total parking capacity or overflow-parking plan is established by the information available here. The map does not establish that ATMs, a dedicated first-aid station, public RV hookups, or a shuttle service are available. Plan accordingly and ask event staff about these services.

DeWitt County Illinois Fairgrounds Events provide a starting point for researching local agricultural activities, livestock shows, and community fairs in central Illinois. Readers interested in northern Illinois can continue with Cumberland County Illinois Fairgrounds Events to explore regional exhibitions and local celebrations.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

How to enter a 4-H project

The DeWitt-Macon-Piatt show uses an annual show book to explain project classes, eligibility, check-in times, and other competition requirements. The 2026 registration information listed June 1, 2026, as the entry deadline for the main 4-H show, with registration opening February 16.

Those deadlines have passed and should not be reused for the 2027 season without confirmation. Exhibitors should obtain the new show book and follow its instructions for online registration, animal identification, health checks, arrival times, and exhibit release.

Commercial vendors and booth applications

A commercial vendor interested in selling food, crafts, agricultural supplies, or other goods should first establish which event they want to attend. The 4-H exhibition and the Farmer City Fair may have different organizers and vendor rules.

Ask the appropriate organizer about booth fees, space dimensions, electricity, food permits, insurance, setup hours, and application deadlines. Vendor access should not be assumed simply because an event takes place on fairgrounds.

Getting to DeWitt County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds’ published address is 7564 Business Route 51, Clinton, IL 61727. Business Route 51 is the main approach identified in the grounds’ map and directions.

Visitors driving from downtown Clinton can use local roads to connect to Business Route 51 and follow the entrance and event-day parking instructions. Travelers coming from Champaign are directed toward Clinton via Route 10, connecting with the Route 10 West and Route 54 West intersection before turning toward Business Route 51 North.

Drivers from Decatur or Bloomington should plan their route to Clinton in advance and confirm road conditions and event-day access. Public transportation, special fair shuttles, and designated rideshare drop-off points are not confirmed in the published show materials, so visitors should arrange their own transportation unless the event organizer announces otherwise.

4-H and FFA at DeWitt County Fairgrounds

The University of Illinois Extension’s DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt unit coordinates youth programs and publishes resources for local 4-H participants. The combined show gives young people opportunities to develop animal-care skills, present projects, learn public speaking, and compete against other exhibitors.

Junior livestock and youth development

Livestock exhibitors must follow the show book’s requirements for check-in, weighing, animal health, and assigned pens. The 2026 schedule included beef, goat, sheep, and swine check-ins, followed by individual species shows and a master showmanship contest.

The published schedule also included an awards program on July 12, 2026. Families should consult the upcoming year’s rules for any premium payments, state fair qualification, or livestock-sale arrangements. A junior livestock auction should not be assumed to occur unless it is specifically listed in the relevant year’s program.

Local FFA participation can vary by school and year. Students interested in exhibiting through an FFA chapter should ask their agricultural education teacher which classes and events accept their entries.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The Clinton grounds are best documented as a venue for youth agricultural exhibitions, horse shows, livestock competitions, and general project displays. Other activities may take place at separate venues or during different events across DeWitt County.

Community activities and additional fairs

Farmer City has its own fair association event, separate from the Clinton-based 4-H show. Residents should check the identity of the organizer before assuming that schedules, ticketing arrangements, or vendor applications are interchangeable.

For proposed flea markets, swap meets, craft fairs, fundraisers, or seasonal festivals, organizers should contact the relevant venue to confirm rental availability. No unverified dates for rodeos, motocross, demolition derbies, gun shows, or concerts should be added to the calendar.

History of DeWitt County Fairgrounds

Agricultural fairs have a long history in DeWitt County. A historical account of the county’s agricultural society records that its first annual fair took place in 1866, initially on an unenclosed field. As attendance and exhibitor interest increased, the society acquired larger grounds and developed livestock facilities and exhibition spaces.

That early agricultural society history provides context for the county’s longstanding interest in livestock, farming, and public exhibitions. However, the historic agricultural society grounds should not automatically be treated as the same property as today’s DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds on Business Route 51.

The modern youth show continues the agricultural education tradition through organized livestock judging, horse and pony competitions, and student projects. Detailed claims about attendance records, historic cancellations, or the construction dates of individual buildings require additional confirmation before publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the DeWitt County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been confirmed in the 2026 schedule information. The 2026 Clinton 4-H Fair Association event was June 27–28, while the DeWitt-Macon-Piatt 4-H show ran July 9–12. The Farmer City Fair was scheduled for July 20–25, 2026.

What is the address of DeWitt County Fairgrounds?

The DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds are at 7564 Business Route 51, Clinton, Illinois 61727.

What time do the fairgrounds open?

Opening times depend on the event and the day’s program. The 2026 livestock schedule specified public viewing hours for livestock exhibits, but visitors should confirm the opening time for the particular event they plan to attend.

Is there camping at DeWitt County Fairgrounds?

Public camping and RV hookups are not confirmed in the available site information. Contact the event organizer before planning to stay overnight.

How do I enter livestock in the DeWitt County Fair?

Obtain the relevant annual 4-H show book, check eligibility and animal requirements, and complete registration by the published deadline. The 2026 show used an entry deadline of June 1, but that date should not be assumed for 2027.

Are dogs allowed at DeWitt County Fairgrounds?

The 2024 DeWitt-Macon-Piatt show-book site map explicitly stated that pets were not allowed. Visitors should check the current event rules for the latest policy and any exceptions for service animals.

Where do I park at DeWitt County Fairgrounds?

The grounds’ map identifies parking areas and handicap parking. Follow event-day signs and instructions from staff, particularly when livestock trailers and exhibitors are arriving.

Who do I contact about renting the fairgrounds?

Start with the DeWitt County Extension office to ask which organization manages the facility and whether the desired space is available for rental. Ask about fees, insurance, capacity, and permitted activities before making arrangements.

How much does admission to the DeWitt County Fair cost?

Admission charges depend on the event. No verified current gate price, season pass, or senior or child discount has been established here, so confirm prices before traveling.

What animals are shown at the DeWitt-Macon-Piatt 4-H show?

The published 2026 program included beef cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, and horses and ponies. Specific classes and eligibility rules can change each year.

Are carnival rides available at the Clinton 4-H Fairgrounds?

A carnival and its ride schedule are not confirmed by the available 2026 agricultural show information. Check the program for the specific event rather than assuming midway attractions are included.

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