Marshall County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

The fairgrounds sit at 1441 US Highway 431, Boaz, AL 35957, and the fair office phone number is (256) 593-9470. Boaz is in the middle of Sand Mountain, and US 431 is the main road through town. If you are coming from Albertville, you may not notice the city line, because the two towns run together along the highway.

Marshall County has two courthouse towns, Guntersville and Albertville. The fairgrounds are in neither. Boaz is the third major town in the county’s Sand Mountain corner, and the grounds are a short drive from all three.

Size and Layout

The size depends on who you ask. The fairgrounds website describes a 9-acre property, while local newspaper coverage of the fair has described it as 10 acres. Either way, this is a compact fairground, and you can walk from the parking area to the midway in a couple of minutes. A visitor review of the site called it small, and that matches the acreage.

The fairgrounds website lists covered arenas, pavilions, open fields, and a climate-controlled conference hall, with an advertised capacity of over 5,000 guests. A visitor review also mentions a building called the Chevron Building, where events are held. I could not confirm how the buildings are numbered or named officially, so ask the fair office if you need a specific space.

Who Runs It

There are two layers here, and it helps to keep them straight. The annual fair is hosted by a veterans’ organization. Jimmy Harris VFW Post 6837 hosts the Marshall County Fair, with carnival rides supplied by James Gang Amusement. The fairgrounds site itself handles the calendar, livestock registration, booth registration, and facility rentals for the rest of the year. Whether the VFW owns the land or the fairgrounds operates as a separate entity is not spelled out publicly, so call the fair office if you need to know who holds a particular contract or permit.

Why It Matters Locally

This is a veterans’ fundraiser first. The fair’s stated main goal is raising money to help local veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with financial needs. In 2014 coverage, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary president said the proceeds also fund community programs and scholarships, and that the VFW runs essay contests for middle and high school students with cash prizes. A night at the fair is a donation to those programs, whether or not you think of it that way.

Upcoming Events at Marshall County Fairgrounds

What Happens Here

The fairgrounds site describes year-round activity: livestock shows, concerts, rodeos, trade shows, and seasonal fairs. Visitor reviews add a few more regular events: truck pulls, public auctions (one reviewer specifically praised how a Behm Auctions event was run), a farmers market, and a small weekend flea market.

Finding the Current Schedule

Use the Calendar page at marshallcountyfairgrounds.com first. It loads events dynamically, so if it looks blank for a moment, give it a few seconds. The site also links to the fairgrounds’ Facebook page, and for a small fairground like this one, Facebook is often where last-minute changes, weather postponements, and new events show up first. If neither answers your question, call (256) 593-9470.

One caution: the 2026 livestock show dates page said show dates were “coming soon” and pointed visitors to Facebook for updates. That page may have been updated since, but it shows that the website and the actual schedule can fall out of sync.

Seasonal Pattern

The fair itself is a September event. The 2026 fair was scheduled for Sept. 8-12, and the 2014 fair ran Sept. 16-20. That makes it a late-summer, early-fall fair rather than the July fair you find in many other states. Beyond that, I could not find a published seasonal breakdown of the other events, so check the calendar for spring and winter listings.

Renting the Grounds

Yes, the grounds are available for outside events. The fairgrounds advertises space for private events, trade shows, and reunions, with concessions and catering hookups, RV and trailer parking, and on-site staff support available. To get a rental quote, use the Contact page or call the fair office. Pricing is not published online, so expect to ask for a quote.

Marshall County Alabama Fairgrounds Events offer visitors opportunities to enjoy local fairs, agricultural exhibitions, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly entertainment that celebrate the region’s traditions and community spirit. Similarly, Marion County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide enjoyable experiences through community gatherings, livestock displays, local celebrations, and activities for visitors of all ages. Exploring events in both counties allows visitors to discover more of Alabama’s fairground attractions, support local vendors, and enjoy memorable outings while appreciating the cultural heritage and welcoming atmosphere of Alabama’s communities.

The Marshall County Fair

Name and History at a Glance

The fair is the Marshall County Fair, and the livestock registration materials for 2026 call it the Marshall County Fall Fair. The 2026 fair was billed as the 68th annual, and a 2014 news story called that year’s fair the 57th. By that count, the fair began in the late 1950s.

2026 Fair Details

For the record, this is what was published for the 2026 fair:

• Run of show: Five nights, Sept. 8-12, with gates opening at 6 p.m. sandmountainreporter
• Admission: $5 per person, with children under 5 free. sandmountainreporter
• Veterans and first responders: First responders, active-duty military, and veterans with valid credentials received up to four complimentary admission tickets per family. sandmountainreporter
• Ride bracelets: Unlimited ride armbands were $25. sandmountainreporter
• Midway: Midway rides and games, classic fair food, indoor exhibits, livestock exhibits, and family entertainment. sandmountainreporter

Carnival and Midway

The rides come from a traveling carnival, James Gang Amusement in 2026. This is a modest midway, and visitor reviews say so plainly: one called it the smallest fair they had been to but still fun, and another noted limited rides and food. If you are expecting a state-fair-sized midway, adjust expectations. If you want a few rides, funnel cake, and an evening that doesn’t take all day, this is the right size.

Food

Reviewers specifically praised the lemonade and funnel cakes. I could not find a published vendor list, so I can’t tell you which nonprofits or local businesses run food stands. The fair office can tell you if you want to run one.

Entertainment and Competitions

Visitor reviews single out the truck pulls as a must-see. I could not confirm whether a truck pull is on the annual fair schedule every year or runs as a separate event, so check the calendar and the Fair Book for the current lineup. Indoor exhibits are part of the fair, and the Fair Book at marshallcountyfairgrounds.com is the authoritative source for which exhibit categories, classes, and rules apply that year.

Admission and Parking

Admission has been low for years. The 2014 fair charged $4, and the 2026 fair charged $5. I could not find a parking fee, season pass, or senior discount in anything published, and I’m not going to assume one. Ask the fair office.

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings and Arena

Here is what is documented: covered arenas, pavilions, open fields, a climate-controlled conference hall, concessions and catering hookups, and RV and trailer parking. Visitors also mention a Chevron Building. I could not find a count of permanent buildings, a species-by-species barn breakdown, or the arena’s seating capacity. The 5,000-guest figure is the grounds’ overall advertised capacity, not grandstand seating.

Camping and RV

The site lists RV and trailer parking, which is useful for livestock exhibitors hauling in. Whether that means overnight camping with electric or water hookups is not confirmed. Call the fair office before you show up with a camper.

Accessibility and Condition of the Grounds

I couldn’t find published ADA details, so ask about accessible parking and restroom locations if you need them. Visitor reviews are also mixed on upkeep: some call the grounds well maintained, while others complain about potholes in the parking lots and fields and about restrooms. If you have a wheelchair, walker, or stroller, wear sturdy shoes and plan for uneven ground, especially after rain.

Amenities

The grounds advertise concessions and catering hookups. I found nothing published about a first aid station or ATM, so bring cash for the midway and don’t count on either being there.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and Exhibit Booths

The website has a Booth Registration page, but when I checked it said exhibit booth registration was closed and told visitors to check back or contact the fair office. That means booth sign-up is seasonal. Call or message the fair office early in the year, ideally in the spring, so you’re on their list when it opens.

Weekend Flea Market

A visitor review said a weekend flea market lets vendors pull in, set up where they like, and pay a small fee to a collector who comes around. That review quoted $5, but the review is not recent and the price may have changed. Treat it as an unconfirmed lead and call before you load a truck.

Entering Competitive Exhibits and Livestock

Livestock registration for the 2026 fair opened online at marshallcountyfairgrounds.com, with one entry form per animal or contestant, and registration could be submitted up to the date of the show. The Fair Book was also posted on the site. Read the Fair Book before you register. It controls class definitions, weight limits, and the rules.

As one example of how specific the rules get, the 2026 goat show was held on Sept. 8, with entry from 2 to 4 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m., and goats had to weigh at least 35 pounds. Use that as a reminder to check the weight and timing rules for your species and class.

Contacting the Fair Office

• Phone: (256) 593-9470
• Address: 1441 US Highway 431, Boaz, AL 35957
• Website: marshallcountyfairgrounds.com (use the Contact form)
• Facebook: linked from the website

Getting to Marshall County Fairgrounds

Directions

The grounds are on US 431 in Boaz, so if you can find 431, you can find the fairgrounds. From Guntersville, take US 431 northbound… the route is straightforward, but wait: if you’re coming from Guntersville, you’ll head south on 431 toward Albertville and Boaz, which is roughly 15 minutes. I’d rather you confirm this with a map app than trust a single description, so enter the street address above into your GPS. Likewise, from Huntsville, Gadsden, and Birmingham, plan on highways that reach US 431 and then follow it into Boaz. Drive times vary by route, so use GPS for exact estimates.

Parking, Transit, and Rideshare

Parking is on the grounds and in open fields, and the advertised capacity of 5,000 guests suggests a good amount of space. I found no published overflow parking plan, shuttle, or public transit service for fair week. Rural Marshall County has limited rideshare coverage, so if you’re relying on one, arrange a pickup in advance rather than assuming a car will be available when the fair lets out.

4-H and FFA at Marshall County Fairgrounds

Role of Extension and Youth Programs

In Alabama, 4-H is run through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Marshall County extension office is the place to ask about club membership, project requirements, and how it coordinates with the fair. I could not find a published count of Marshall County 4-H clubs, so I won’t offer one.

FFA Chapters

FFA chapters at the county’s high schools are a natural fit for the livestock shows, since the fairgrounds advertises 4-H and livestock competitions. I did not confirm which chapters exhibit at the Boaz fair, so ask your chapter advisor and the fair office.

Junior Livestock Auction

I could not find published details about whether the Marshall County Fair holds a junior livestock auction, how it works, or where proceeds go. If you’re an exhibitor or a prospective buyer, ask the fair office directly and check the Fair Book.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fairgrounds site promotes concerts, rodeos, trade shows, and seasonal fairs. Visitors report truck pulls, public auctions, a farmers market, and a weekend flea market. Because the calendar changes, check it before you plan a trip around any of them. One practical tip: events with outside organizers, such as auctions and trade shows, often have their own admission policies, so a ticket price for one doesn’t tell you anything about another.

History of Marshall County Fairgrounds

The published record is thin. What I can verify is that the fair has been going for decades, billed as the 68th annual in 2026, and that it has long been tied to the Boaz VFW post. Earlier coverage used the name “Boaz VFW Fairgrounds,” which tells you how closely the land and the organization have been linked. I could not find reliable information on when the grounds were established, attendance records, notable visitors, or cancellations. If you want the full story, the Boaz VFW post, the local library, and older issues of the Sand Mountain Reporter are the best places to look.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Marshall County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been announced as of October 2026. The fair is held in September (Sept. 8-12 in 2026), so expect something similar. Check marshallcountyfairgrounds.com or call (256) 593-9470 for the confirmed dates.

What time does Marshall County Fairgrounds open?

For the 2026 fair, gates opened at 6 p.m. nightly. For other events, hours vary, so check the Calendar page.

Is there camping at Marshall County Fairgrounds?

The website lists RV and trailer parking, but overnight camping and hookups are not confirmed. Call the fair office before arriving.

How do I enter livestock in the Marshall County Fair?

Register online at marshallcountyfairgrounds.com using the Livestock Registration page, with one form per animal or contestant, and read the Fair Book for class and weight rules.

Are dogs allowed at Marshall County Fairgrounds?

No pet policy is published. Fairs with livestock barns often limit pets, so call the fair office first, and leave dogs at home if you can’t confirm.

Where do I park at Marshall County Fairgrounds?

Parking is on the grounds and in open areas. No overflow plan is published. Expect uneven surfaces, and arrive early on busy nights.

Who do I contact to rent Marshall County Fairgrounds?

Contact the fair office at (256) 593-9470 or use the Contact page at marshallcountyfairgrounds.com to request a rental quote.

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

In 2026, general admission was $5, children under 5 were free, and unlimited ride armbands were $25. Veterans, active-duty military, and first responders with valid credentials received up to four free tickets per family. Prices can change, so check before you go.

Is Marshall County Fairgrounds the same as the Marshall County Fair in West Virginia?

No. The Alabama fairgrounds are in Boaz. The West Virginia fair is in Moundsville and has its own dates and rules.