Stafford County Kansas Fairgrounds Events

Stafford County Fairgrounds serves as a gathering place for agricultural education, youth achievement, livestock exhibitions, and community activities in Stafford, Kansas. The grounds host the annual Stafford County Fair, an important summer event for families, 4-H members, agricultural exhibitors, and residents from across south-central Kansas.

The fair is organized through the Stafford County Fair Association, with support and information provided by Kansas State University Extension’s 21 Central District. The association manages fair activities, while Extension helps coordinate youth programming and educational competitions.

The listed address for the fairgrounds is 620 N. Main Street, Stafford, KS 67578. Visitors should use Stafford as their destination when planning a trip and confirm the specific entrance and parking arrangements before attending an event.

The fairgrounds bring several aspects of rural life together. Livestock exhibitions connect young people with animal husbandry, while open-class competitions allow community members to display practical skills, creative projects, and homemade products. The annual fair also gives local families an opportunity to meet neighbors and support youth activities.

Upcoming Events at Stafford County Fairgrounds

Annual fair and seasonal activities

The Stafford County Fair is the main recurring event associated with the grounds. Its program includes 4-H exhibits, livestock competitions, open-class entries, and scheduled entertainment. Specific activities vary from year to year, so visitors should not assume that every attraction will return for each fair.

Agricultural programming generally follows the summer fair season, when youth exhibitors bring their projects forward for judging. Other activities depend on the fair association’s arrangements and the availability of facilities.

The fair’s published 2026 program included livestock and open-class competitions, along with special contests such as the Hudson Cream Flour Bakefest, Stafford County Market Wheat Show, photography competitions, the Clover Contest, and the Kanza Photo Contest.

These activities give visitors more to see than the livestock barns alone. They also provide opportunities to appreciate baking, photography, wheat production, and other interests connected with Stafford County’s agricultural community.

How to check the current schedule

For upcoming Stafford County fair events, consult announcements from the Stafford County Fair Association and the 21 Central District Extension office. The annual fair book is particularly useful because it sets out competition categories, entry rules, check-in arrangements, and the schedule for individual activities.

The 2026 fair has already taken place. Any new fair dates, special performances, or additional events for 2027 should be confirmed through an official announcement rather than assumed from the previous year’s schedule.

Facility rentals for private parties, commercial shows, flea markets, or other outside events should also be confirmed directly with the association. Public information does not establish that every type of event or rental is available.

The Stafford County Fair

H3: Typical fair season and annual dates

The Stafford County Fair is held in July. The published dates for 2026 were July 13–18 for the 4-H fair, with open-class activities scheduled July 14–18. The next year’s dates should be checked when the association releases its updated calendar.

The 2026 fair carried the theme Rooted in the Past, Growing the Future. Celebrating 120 Years of Kansas 4-H! This theme connected the event with the longer history of Kansas 4-H and its emphasis on practical learning and youth development.

Livestock and competitive exhibits

Livestock competitions are a major part of the fair experience. The fair book provides entry information for livestock and shepherd’s lead classes, and it includes opportunities for open-class exhibitors. Depending on the published divisions and annual schedule, livestock categories may include beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits.

Visitors should consult the current fair book for the exact species, classes, judging times, and eligibility requirements offered in a particular year.

Other competitions extend into household and creative skills. The Stafford County Market Wheat Show highlights an important regional crop, while the Hudson Cream Flour Bakefest connects baking with Kansas flour and grain production. Photography contests and other educational displays add variety to the exhibition program.

Carnival rides, food, and entertainment

Fairground entertainment can change from year to year. Visitors should check the current program before expecting a particular carnival company, ride package, grandstand show, rodeo, tractor pull, or demolition derby.

Food stands and concessions are common features of county fairs, but the available vendors, menus, and prices at Stafford County Fairgrounds should be confirmed for each season. The same applies to wristband deals, admission charges, parking fees, and discounts for children or older visitors.

The safest approach is to plan around confirmed schedule entries instead of relying on attractions advertised at other Kansas county fairs.

Discover Stafford County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for updates about agricultural fairs livestock shows vendor opportunities and community celebrations. Visitors can also explore Smith County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for additional county fair details.

Youth programs and junior fair

The youth component is central to the Stafford County Fair. Through 4-H projects, young exhibitors develop skills in preparation, recordkeeping, public presentation, and responsibility for their animals or other entries.

A livestock sale or premium auction may have specific eligibility requirements and procedures. Exhibitors and prospective buyers should review the current fair book for information about sale order, participation rules, payment arrangements, and the distribution of proceeds. Details should not be assumed without a published schedule.

Facilities and Grounds

Exhibition buildings and livestock areas

Stafford County Fairgrounds supports agricultural exhibitions and competitive entries that require dedicated display and livestock spaces. The published fair program confirms livestock and open-class activities, but a verified inventory of permanent buildings, stall counts, grandstand seating, and total acreage is not available in the information reviewed.

Exhibitors who need animal stalls, pens, electricity, indoor display space, or special equipment should contact the fair association before making arrangements. Requirements may differ by species and competition.

Parking, accessibility, and visitor amenities

Visitors should confirm parking locations and entrance arrangements before arriving, particularly when livestock trailers and general visitor traffic use the grounds simultaneously. Accessible parking, paved routes, restroom accessibility, first-aid availability, concession locations, and other on-site amenities should be verified with event organizers.

Camping and RV hookups should not be assumed to be available on the fairgrounds. Anyone planning to stay overnight should ask about current facilities and nearby accommodation options before traveling.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors

Businesses, food vendors, craftspeople, and organizations interested in participating should contact the Stafford County Fair Association to ask whether commercial spaces are available for the relevant event. Organizers can explain booth dimensions, setup times, fees, insurance requirements, electricity access, and application deadlines where applicable.

Vendor availability may vary by year, and participation in a previous fair does not guarantee a space at the next one.

Competitive exhibits and entry deadlines

Stafford County uses the FairEntry system for fair submissions. The fair association provides separate instructions for 4-H and open-class exhibitors, with 4-H participants using their designated 4-H account.

Open-class exhibitors can request assistance from fair board members and superintendents with the entry process. The annual fair book provides the relevant classes, eligibility rules, deadlines, and instructions.

Anyone entering livestock should pay particular attention to identification requirements, animal check-in times, health rules, and the deadline for the specific class. The deadline for one competition may differ from that of another.

Getting to Stafford County Fairgrounds

Directions and local travel

The fairgrounds are located in Stafford, the county seat of Stafford County. Visitors traveling from within the county can use Stafford as their destination and follow local signs or navigation directions to North Main Street.

Travelers approaching from Hutchinson, Great Bend, Pratt, or other south-central Kansas communities should check their route before departure and allow extra time during fair week. Exact directions depend on the starting point, road conditions, and the designated fair entrance.

Public transit and dedicated fair shuttles have not been confirmed. Rideshare availability may also be limited in a small Kansas community, especially late in the evening. Visitors should arrange return transportation in advance if they are attending an event that ends after local businesses close.

4-H and FFA at Stafford County Fairgrounds

Extension-led youth education

Kansas State University Extension’s 21 Central District provides Stafford County fair information and supports the county’s 4-H programming. The fair gives young people a place to demonstrate what they have learned through projects involving agriculture, animal care, food preparation, photography, and other practical subjects.

The number of participating clubs, the list of current local FFA chapters, and the annual roster of youth exhibitors can change. Families should contact the Extension office in Stafford for current program information and eligibility guidance.

Livestock auctions and buyer participation

When a junior livestock sale or premium auction is included in the annual program, its rules determine who may enter animals, when buyers can participate, and how payments are handled. Prospective buyers should obtain the current instructions from the fair association or Extension office.

A livestock sale can connect young producers with community supporters, but buyers should confirm whether a particular sale involves the purchase of an animal, a premium payment, or another arrangement. Those formats are not interchangeable.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Stafford County Fairgrounds is best documented as the venue for the annual county fair and its associated agricultural and educational competitions. The available information does not establish a regular calendar of independent gun shows, motocross events, ATV races, flea markets, or touring concerts.

Outside organizations interested in using the grounds should inquire about availability, permitted activities, insurance, setup requirements, and rental terms. Seasonal fundraisers and private gatherings may be possible if approved by the association, but their availability and dates require direct confirmation.

Visitors looking for a particular rodeo, horse show, tractor pull, or live performance should check the event’s current listing rather than infer that it is scheduled simply because similar attractions occur at other county fairs.

History of Stafford County Fairgrounds

Stafford County’s fair tradition reflects the agricultural roots of south-central Kansas and the importance of passing practical skills between generations. Livestock exhibitions, crop displays, baking competitions, and youth projects bring these traditions into a public setting where visitors can see the results of months of preparation.

The 2026 fair theme marked 120 years of Kansas 4-H, highlighting the long-standing role of youth education in agricultural communities. That anniversary relates to the broader Kansas 4-H tradition; it should not be interpreted as proof that the present Stafford County Fairgrounds or its association has operated continuously for exactly 120 years.

Over time, county fairs have adapted to changing interests while retaining their emphasis on local participation, agricultural learning, and community involvement. Stafford’s wheat show and flour-focused baking contest offer particularly relevant examples of how local agricultural identity is reflected in fair competitions.

A detailed year-by-year history of the Stafford County Fairgrounds, including its original establishment date, changes to its buildings, historical attendance records, and any past cancellations, requires confirmation from local historical records or the fair association. Those details should not be published as facts without supporting documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Stafford County Fair in 2027?

The Stafford County Fair traditionally takes place in July. The confirmed 2026 dates were July 13–18 for the 4-H fair, with open-class activities from July 14–18. The 2027 dates should be confirmed when the organizers publish the next schedule.

What time does Stafford County Fairgrounds open?

Opening times vary according to the day’s events and competition schedule. Check the current fair program for livestock check-in, exhibit viewing, entertainment, and other activity times before visiting.

Is there camping at Stafford County Fairgrounds?

On-site camping and RV hookups have not been verified. Contact the Stafford County Fair Association before planning an overnight stay at the grounds.

How do I enter livestock in the Stafford County Fair?

Review the annual fair book for livestock classes, eligibility, identification requirements, and deadlines. The fair uses FairEntry for submissions, with separate procedures for 4-H and open-class exhibitors.

Are dogs allowed at Stafford County Fairgrounds?

A current general pet policy has not been verified. Ask the fair association about pet restrictions, service animals, and any animal-specific rules before bringing a dog.

Where do I park at Stafford County Fairgrounds?

The fairgrounds are at 620 N. Main Street in Stafford, Kansas. Confirm designated visitor parking and any overflow arrangements with the organizers, particularly if you are bringing a livestock trailer.

Who do I contact to rent Stafford County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Stafford County Fair Association to ask about facility rental, event eligibility, availability, and fees. Rental arrangements should be confirmed directly because public information does not establish all available facilities or rental terms.

How much does it cost to get into the Stafford County Fair?

Current admission prices have not been verified. Check the annual schedule or ask the organizers about general admission, individual event tickets, ride wristbands, and any discounts.

What activities can visitors see at the Stafford County Fair?

The fair includes 4-H and open-class competitions, livestock-related activities, and special contests such as the Stafford County Market Wheat Show and Hudson Cream Flour Bakefest. The precise schedule changes each year.

Can adults enter exhibits at the Stafford County Fair?

Yes, the fair provides an open-class entry process in addition to its 4-H division. Prospective exhibitors should review the fair book for eligible categories, entry procedures, age requirements, and deadlines.

Is the Stafford County Fair suitable for families?

The fair offers agricultural exhibits, youth competitions, and community activities that families can explore together. Check the current program for child-focused activities, entertainment, food options, and any admission requirements.