Mobile County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

The Grounds is at 1035 North Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36608. The 160-acre property sits in west Mobile at the intersection of Cody Road and Zeigler Boulevard. It is inside the city of Mobile, the county seat. This isn’t a rural grounds out on a county road.

Size and layout

The property is fully fenced, with paved parking for 1,000 vehicles and total parking for up to 5,000. The fair’s executive director has described the carnival rides as taking up about 12 to 15 acres, with the rest of the grounds going to games, food vendors, and entertainment. He gave the property as 150 acres in that interview, so you’ll see both 150 and 160 in print. The venue’s own website says 160.

Who runs it

The fair began as a Jaycees project. In 1955, members of the Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce incorporated the Greater Gulf State Fair. Today it operates as a nonprofit venue under the name The Grounds. It was renamed “the Grounds” in 2014. The executive director quoted in 2025 coverage was Josh Woods.

Why it matters locally

The Grounds reports more than one million attendees a year across everything it hosts, not only the fair. For many Mobile families it’s the place for the fall fair, a trade show, a carnival ball, or a Saturday expo.

Upcoming Events at Mobile Fairgrounds

What the calendar looks like

The Grounds works as a year-round event campus. Its own description covers nonprofit events, concerts, expositions, corporate events, carnival balls, festivals, and community service projects, plus in-house concerts and 5K races. The buildings named on the site are Hocklander Hall, the Exhibit Hall, the Concourse, the Ballroom, and the Grand Ballroom.

Event listings show the pattern:

• Early September: The Greater Gulf Coast Home & Lifestyle Show. A trade-fair listing places the 2026 edition on September 4 to 6 at the fairgrounds, and says the show runs twice a year.
• Late October into early November: the Greater Gulf State Fair.
• November: a Mobile International Festival listing is attached to the grounds, with dates not yet posted
• Gulf Coast Hunting and Fishing Expo: this appears among the events listed for the venue. Check the calendar for the current year’s dates.

How to find the current schedule

Start with the venue’s calendar at thegroundsmobile.com. The fair has its own site at greatergulfstatefair.com for performer lineups, tickets, and hours. You can also call the office at 251-344-4573

Renting the grounds

The Grounds rents space for outside events. Staff can also arrange production, sound, and stage equipment, catering, security, and cleanup. For rental pricing and availability, contact the venue’s event staff directly. Rates aren’t published in the sources I found.

Mobile County Alabama Fairgrounds Events offer visitors exciting opportunities to enjoy local fairs, agricultural exhibitions, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly entertainment that bring communities together. Similarly, Marshall County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide opportunities to experience local traditions, community gatherings, livestock displays, and seasonal celebrations. Exploring events across both counties allows visitors to discover more of Alabama’s fairground attractions, support local vendors, and enjoy memorable outings while appreciating the diverse culture, traditions, and welcoming atmosphere of each community.

The Greater Gulf State Fair

Dates

The fair runs 10 days in the fall, usually spanning late October into early November. Recent years:

• 2023: ran through Sunday, November 5
• 2024: the 70th fair, opening Friday, October 25
• 2025: October 24 to November 2
• 2026: a fair-listing site shows October 30 to November 8, 2026. That’s a third-party listing, so confirm it on the official site

Hours

Opening time has long been 4 p.m. on the first Friday. The 2022 schedule, the most detailed one I found, had Friday and Saturday late nights, midday starts on weekends, and 4 p.m. starts on weekdays. Check the 2026 schedule before you go.

Rides and midway

The fair bills itself as having the largest midway on the Gulf Coast, with nearly 60 rides in 2024. The fair works with North American Midway Entertainment, whose contracted crews build the rides and booths, while The Grounds hires local seasonal workers for jobs like ticket operators and food concessions. A one-price ride pass has been sold in past years, so ask about it when you buy.

Food

Standard fair food is what you’ll find. In 2024, local TV coverage mentioned turkey legs, corn dogs, and a funnel cake eating contest. In 2025 the fair added a corndog eating contest and a kids’ pancake breakfast, per local news. Whether local nonprofits run food stands.

Entertainment and attractions

Past listings mention live music, agricultural displays, and an annual Rodeo and Bull Riding event. Animal attractions have included goats, a kangaroo, and a camel. Check the current lineup, since the shows change every year.

Admission and parking

Pricing moves from year to year:

• 2023: children’s tickets were $4 and adult tickets were $8.
• 2025: opening night admission was $5 all day, and advance tickets went on sale before the fair.
• General admission has been described as around $10 in 2025, with discounts for children and unlimited ride passes at special prices.

For parking, there are large free lots on the south and east sides, and a $10 preferred lot at the main entrance. That was the 2022 setup, so confirm it. Also note that knives and guns are banned on the grounds, even for permit holders. wkrgwkrg

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings

The named buildings are Hocklander Hall, the Exhibit Hall, the Concourse, the Ballroom, and the Grand Ballroom, and a covered drive allows protected passenger loading and unloading at those buildings. I couldn’t verify seating capacities or square footage for any of them.

Livestock barns and arena

The fair includes animals, and the rodeo suggests an arena or ring on site. I couldn’t find a published list of livestock barns, stall counts, or arena seating, so I haven’t invented one.

RV and camping

The Grounds can host 200 or more campers and RVs, with individual hookups around the campus. Ask the office about rates, minimum stays, and whether hookups are open during fair week. thegroundsmobile

Accessibility

I couldn’t confirm specific ADA parking locations, accessible restroom counts, or pathway surfaces. The covered drive-up at the main buildings is a good starting point when you call. Ask about accessible parking and midway terrain, since gravel and grass can be hard going for wheelchairs and strollers [VERIFY].

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors

Vendor booths exist at the fair, and a fair-listing site mentions commercial and retail, informational, and crafts exhibitors. The application process, booth fees, and deadlines aren’t published in anything I found. Contact the fair office through greatergulfstatefair.com

Competitive exhibits

A listing for the fair mentions competitive exhibits. I couldn’t confirm what categories exist, whether a premium book is published, or the entry deadlines. If you plan to enter livestock, crops, baking, or art, ask the fair office for the current rules.

Contact

Use the fair’s website and the venue’s event staff. Don’t rely on one phone number from a third-party site without checking it first.

Getting to Mobile Fairgrounds

Driving

The fair describes the location as about 10 minutes from I-65 and about 15 minutes from I-10. The cross streets are Cody Road and Zeigler Boulevard in west Mobile. From downtown Mobile, plan on a straightforward drive through west Mobile. Use GPS and leave extra time on opening weekend, when traffic backs up around the entrance. wkrg

Transit and rideshare

I found no confirmed shuttle or public transit service to the fair. Rideshare is the practical alternative. The covered drive described on the venue’s website suggests a drop-off area near the main buildings, but confirm the fair-week arrangement.

4-H and FFA at Mobile Fairgrounds

This is where Mobile differs most from other counties. The Greater Gulf State Fair doesn’t appear to be organized as a classic junior fair run by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. I couldn’t confirm a junior livestock auction, a 4-H project show tied to the fair, or FFA participation. Mobile County does have 4-H and FFA programs through Extension and local schools, but I can’t state how they connect to this fair [VERIFY]. If your family wants to show animals, call the fair office and your Extension agent, and ask where Mobile-area youth shows are held.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

• Trade shows and expos: the Home & Lifestyle Show and the Hunting and Fishing Expo.
• Community events: Mobile County’s Earth Day celebration and Operation Clean Sweep were listed on the county’s events page. I couldn’t confirm that these were held at The Grounds.
• Rodeo and bull riding: held with the fair.
• Concerts and festivals: the venue lists them in its description, and the international festival listing is tied to the grounds.
• Gun shows, swap meets, motocross: I found no confirmation these are held at The Grounds, so I’m leaving them out.

History of Mobile Fairgrounds

The Mobile Jaycees created the fair as a fundraiser, and it was first held on Blakeley Island in 1955, drawing 60,000 people that first year. The same source says Elvis Presley was the first concert performer and offered a four-year contract that the fair declined. That’s the sort of story to confirm with a local source before you repeat it.

The fair then moved to Ladd Stadium and later Hartwell Field in Mobile, and in 1974 it settled at its permanent home in west Mobile. The 70th fair came in 2024. I didn’t find reliable information on cancellations, including 2020, so I’m not making a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Mobile County Fair in 2026?

The Greater Gulf State Fair is listed for October 30 to November 8, 2026. Confirm on greatergulfstatefair.com, since third-party listings can lag behind.

What time does Mobile Fairgrounds open?

Opening day has traditionally started at 4 p.m. on the first Friday, with earlier weekend openings. Check the current year’s schedule.

Is there camping at Mobile Fairgrounds?

Yes. The Grounds can host 200 or more RVs and campers with individual hookups. Call for rates and fair-week availability.

How do I enter livestock in the fair?

I couldn’t confirm a published livestock entry process. Contact the fair office and the Mobile County Extension office.

Are dogs allowed?

I couldn’t find a published pet policy. Ask before bringing a dog, since fair rules often limit pets near rides and crowds. Service animals are covered by federal law.

Where do I park?

Free lots have been available on the south and east sides, and preferred parking has been sold near the main entrance. Confirm the current layout.

Who do I contact to rent the fairgrounds?

Contact the event staff at The Grounds through thegroundsmobile.com.

How much does it cost to get into the fair?

Recent adult admission has been in the range of $8 to $10, with children’s tickets lower and special opening-night pricing. Advance tickets have been cheaper than gate prices.

Can I bring a firearm?

No. Knives and guns are banned, even with a permit.