Riley County Kansas Fairgrounds Events

The Riley County Fairgrounds are located at CiCo Park in Manhattan, Kansas, where the annual Riley County Fair brings together 4-H exhibitors, agricultural families, local residents, and visitors from surrounding communities. The fairgrounds serve as a venue for youth project displays, livestock competitions, rodeo performances, carnival activities, and other public gatherings connected with Riley County’s agricultural and community life.

The fair’s published 2026 location was 1710 Avery Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Fair activities use facilities within the CiCo Park complex, including Pottorf Hall and Hurlburt Arena. These buildings accommodate different parts of the program, from indoor exhibits and judging to livestock events and public gatherings.

The Riley County Fair is closely associated with Kansas State University Extension and the county’s 4-H program. Its purpose extends beyond entertainment: young people prepare projects, demonstrate practical skills, receive feedback from judges, and share their work with the public. The fair’s annual schedule reflects the importance of agriculture, animal care, food preparation, craftsmanship, and youth education in the Manhattan area.

The precise acreage of the fairgrounds, the total number of permanent structures, and a complete historical opening date are not established in the fair information used for this article. Those details should not be assumed when describing the property.

Livestock judging is an important part of the Riley County Fair’s youth agricultural program.

Upcoming Events at Riley County Fairgrounds

Events to expect throughout the fair season

The main annual attraction is the Riley County Fair, traditionally held in late July. Its program includes scheduled livestock judging, 4-H project evaluations, open-class exhibits, carnival entertainment, and rodeo performances. The 2026 fair program also included a pedal tractor pull, a watermelon feed, and an auction recognizing youth exhibitors.

The fair’s documented activities provide a useful guide to the kinds of events visitors may encounter in future years. However, individual attractions, performers, competition times, and entertainment arrangements can change between editions.

Other potential uses of the facilities depend on the availability and rental policies of the grounds. Anyone planning to attend a separate rodeo, flea market, trade show, private gathering, or community fundraiser should confirm that the event has actually been scheduled before making travel plans.

How to check the event calendar

The most reliable place to check Riley County Fair events is the fair’s published schedule and annual fair book. These materials provide event times, competition categories, entry instructions, and information for participants. Kansas State University Extension’s Riley County office can also help answer questions about 4-H activities and fair registration.

The fair’s 2026 program listed the carnival with WEEE Entertainment and the Kaw Valley Rodeo among the scheduled attractions. These are confirmed examples from the 2026 program, not guarantees that the same providers or performances will return in 2027.

The Riley County Fair

H3: Typical fair dates — Late July

The Riley County Fair follows a late-July schedule. In 2026, it ran from Thursday, July 23, through Monday, July 27. The published 2026 fair book listed July 22–26, 2027, as tentative dates for the following year’s fair. Visitors should confirm the final 2027 schedule before arranging accommodation or travel.

The fair week combines educational competitions with public entertainment. Livestock judging and indoor project evaluations tend to follow a timetable organized by species, project category, and exhibition location.

Livestock and competitive exhibits

The Riley County Fair’s 2026 program included beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry, rabbits, and bucket calves. Showmanship competitions give young exhibitors an opportunity to demonstrate their handling skills and knowledge of the animals they raise or care for.

Indoor displays cover a wider range of interests. Fairbook categories include foods, baking, clothing, photography, horticulture, woodworking, geology, forestry, computer science, veterinary science, aerospace, and other educational projects. Open-class entries give eligible participants opportunities to exhibit work outside the regular 4-H project categories, subject to the rules in the current fair book.

Carnival, rodeo, and entertainment

The carnival midway adds rides and family entertainment to the late-July fair program.

Carnival attractions are part of the Riley County Fair’s public entertainment schedule. The 2026 program listed carnival hours from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on several evenings, with WEEE Entertainment identified as the provider. Specific ride counts, wristband offers, and individual ride prices should be checked for the relevant year rather than assumed from an earlier schedule.

The Kaw Valley Rodeo was another featured attraction in the 2026 program, with performances scheduled at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Rodeo tickets and any separate admission requirements should be verified for the year of the visit.

Fair food, refreshments, and community-operated concessions are customary parts of county fairgoing, but a complete vendor list and any special Riley County food traditions should be confirmed from the current program rather than treated as permanent offerings.

Admission, parking, and visitor costs

Do not assume that admission, parking, carnival rides, and rodeo tickets are all covered by one payment. These can have different policies. The 2026 schedule and promotional materials are the appropriate reference for that year’s arrangements; visitors attending in 2027 should look for updated details before arriving.

Information about reduced admission for children or seniors, season passes, and complimentary parking should be confirmed with the fair organizers because a reliable current fee schedule is not established here.

Facilities and Grounds

Exhibition halls and livestock areas

Pottorf Hall accommodates indoor exhibits and scheduled fair activities.

Pottorf Hall is one of the principal indoor venues used during the Riley County Fair. The published fair book schedules exhibit openings, project judging, open-class entries, and exhibit release times there. Visitors interested in photography, foods, clothing, building creations, and other displays should check the daily schedule to find out when those exhibits are available for public viewing.

Discover Riley County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for updates about agricultural fairs livestock displays vendor opportunities and community gatherings. Visitors can also explore Rice County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for additional county fair information.

Hurlburt Arena is used for livestock-related activities and other scheduled gatherings. The fair program places several animal judging events, the Kaw Valley Rodeo, and the youth livestock auction in this area. Exact seating capacity, the number of individual livestock barns, and species-specific stall arrangements should be confirmed with the fair office.

Parking, accessibility, and amenities

CiCo Park provides the setting for the fair’s different activities, but visitors should not assume that every area has identical access arrangements. Before attending, check where accessible parking is available, which entrances provide step-free access, and whether accessible restrooms are open during the event.

Parking locations, overflow arrangements, camping availability, RV hookups, first-aid services, ATMs, and concession locations should be verified for the particular event. A facility’s presence within the wider park does not necessarily mean that it is open to fair visitors.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendor applications

Businesses, food vendors, community organizations, and educational groups interested in participating should ask the fair organizers about commercial and educational booth opportunities. The Riley County Fair provides vendor information and grounds-rental information as part of its fair resources.

Before applying, prospective vendors should confirm:

• Booth dimensions, location, and rental charges.
• Application deadlines and payment requirements.
• Electricity, water, and other utility availability.
• Food-service permits and applicable insurance requirements.
• Setup, breakdown, parking, and operating hours.
• Restrictions on merchandise, demonstrations, or promotional activities.

A booth application does not automatically guarantee acceptance. Available space, event requirements, and approval procedures may differ from year to year.

Competitive entries and premium books

People entering livestock, baking, photography, crafts, flowers, or other exhibits should consult the annual fair book. It explains eligible classes, judging arrangements, deadlines, and requirements for presenting projects.

The 2026 Riley County Fair used an online FairEntry registration process. The published registration period ran from May 14 through July 1, 2026, although the entry instructions also described a June 2–July 1 period for completing or correcting entries. Those dates applied to the 2026 fair and should not be reused as 2027 deadlines.

Participants should pay particular attention to livestock pre-entry rules. The fair’s registration guidance advises youth exhibitors to enter all animals they may bring and to include showmanship classes when they intend to participate.

Getting to Riley County Fairgrounds

Directions from Manhattan and nearby communities

The fairgrounds are at CiCo Park in Manhattan, the county seat of Riley County. Visitors already in Manhattan can use local streets to reach Avery Avenue and the park complex. Because the appropriate approach depends on the starting point and current road conditions, check a current navigation service before leaving.

Travelers from Junction City, Ogden, Wamego, and other nearby communities can reach the Manhattan area using the regional highway network, then continue on local roads to CiCo Park. Confirm the correct entrance for the specific fair activity, particularly when livestock unloading, exhibitor access, or event traffic changes normal circulation.

Public transportation, dedicated fair shuttles, rideshare pickup points, and designated drop-off zones should not be assumed to operate during every fair. Visitors who need accessible drop-off arrangements should contact the organizers before arriving.

4-H and FFA at Riley County Fairgrounds

The Riley County Fair has a strong educational focus through 4-H, the youth development program supported by Kansas State University Extension. Members prepare projects, learn practical skills, and present their work for evaluation. The fair provides a public setting where families and community members can see the results of that effort.

Livestock projects require participants to learn animal care, feeding, handling, recordkeeping, and presentation. Other members participate through photography, foods, clothing, woodworking, horticulture, science, and creative projects.

FFA students may also have interests in livestock and agricultural education, but individual chapter participation should be confirmed for each fair year. A current, verified count of participating 4-H clubs and FFA chapters is not established here.

The junior livestock and food champion auction

The 2026 schedule placed the 4-H livestock and food champion auction on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. in Hurlburt Arena. The program also listed a food champion auction and a 4-H livestock sale.

At a youth livestock auction, eligible animals are presented to buyers under the fair’s sale rules. The process recognizes exhibitors’ work and connects local agricultural education with businesses, families, and community supporters. Food champion auctions can similarly recognize outstanding youth food projects.

Prospective buyers should obtain the current sale rules to understand registration, bidding procedures, payment, animal ownership, and any arrangements for processing or taking possession of purchased livestock. The treatment of proceeds depends on the specific sale and applicable rules; buyers should not assume that every transaction is handled identically.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The Riley County Fairgrounds are primarily known for their annual fair program, which combines agricultural exhibitions with entertainment. The rodeo and carnival are documented examples of special attractions included in the 2026 schedule.

Other events, such as swap meets, flea markets, gun shows, horse shows, motocross competitions, concerts, and seasonal festivals, should be treated as possibilities only when a specific booking or announcement confirms them. The availability of an arena or exhibition building does not establish that a particular event takes place there.

Groups considering a fundraiser, private gathering, educational event, or public exhibition should ask about grounds rental, scheduling conflicts, insurance, permitted activities, and cleanup requirements. Availability and rental terms need to be confirmed directly before making commitments.

History and Community Significance

The Riley County Fair reflects the long-standing role of agricultural fairs in Kansas communities. Such fairs provide opportunities for farmers and families to display livestock, compare skills, share knowledge, and introduce younger generations to agricultural practices.

In Riley County, the fair’s documented 4-H competitions and livestock exhibitions show how youth education remains central to the event. Activities ranging from animal judging to photography, baking, woodworking, and science projects also make the fair relevant to families whose interests extend beyond farming.

A precise founding year, a complete chronology of the original grounds, historical attendance records, and documented cancellations are not established by the current fair materials described here. These details should be researched through historical county records or fair archives before being published as facts.

The future of the facilities has also been under discussion. In July 2026, a Riley County Fairgrounds Task Force presented a proposal to explore relocating the grounds to a new site. County commissioners directed staff to continue evaluating the proposal, and no final decision had been made at that time. Any later change in the project’s status should be confirmed before visitors rely on the existing location for future events.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Riley County Fair in 2027?

The published 2026 fair book listed July 22–26, 2027, as tentative dates. Visitors should confirm the final schedule before planning their visit.

What is the address of Riley County Fairgrounds?

The 2026 fair information listed 1710 Avery Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, at CiCo Park.

What time do the Riley County Fairgrounds open?

Opening times vary by activity and building. The 2026 schedule listed Pottorf Hall opening at different times on different days. Check the applicable daily schedule rather than assuming the entire grounds open at one fixed hour.

Is there camping at Riley County Fairgrounds?

Camping and RV availability have not been confirmed in the information used for this article. Contact the fair organizers to ask about overnight parking, hookups, restrictions, and nearby alternatives.

How do I enter livestock in the Riley County County Fair?

Livestock exhibitors should review the annual fair book and complete the required pre-entry process. Check animal eligibility, health requirements, identification rules, showmanship classes, and deadlines before bringing animals to the grounds.

Are dogs allowed at Riley County Fairgrounds?

A current general pet policy has not been confirmed. Ask the organizers before bringing a dog, and check for restrictions applying to livestock barns, arenas, and crowded public areas. Service animals may be subject to different access rules.

Where do I park at Riley County Fairgrounds?

Follow event-day signs and instructions for CiCo Park. Confirm accessible parking, exhibitor parking, livestock unloading areas, and any overflow arrangements before arriving during busy fair hours.

How much does admission to the Riley County Fair cost?

Current admission prices have not been verified for the next fair. Check the applicable year’s admission policy, including whether carnival rides or rodeo performances require separate tickets.

Who do I contact to rent Riley County Fairgrounds?

Start with the Riley County Fair organizers and ask about the facility-rental process. Confirm availability, rental charges, insurance, capacity, setup requirements, and permitted activities for your proposed event.

What activities can visitors see at the Riley County Fair?

The 2026 program included livestock judging, 4-H and open-class exhibits, carnival attractions, the Kaw Valley Rodeo, a pedal tractor pull, and youth auctions. The lineup can change in future years.

Can adults enter open-class exhibits?

Open-class categories are included in the fair program, but eligibility varies by exhibit type. Consult the current fair book for age requirements, entry procedures, deadlines, and judging rules.

Is the Riley County Fairgrounds location changing?

In July 2026, county officials were evaluating a proposal to relocate the fairgrounds. No final decision had been made at the time of that announcement, so visitors should confirm the location for future events.