Randolph County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

The closest thing Randolph County has to a fairgrounds is the Randolph County Equine and Agricultural Center. It sits off US Highway 431 just south of Wedowee. Online listings give the address as 2959 County Road 33 and place it in Roanoke or Wedowee depending on the source, so confirm the exact address before you load a trailer or plan a drive.

The Randolph County Equine and Agricultural Association originally borrowed more than $2 million from the USDA in 2015 and 2018 to build the center. Its arena seats 1,400 and used to host an annual rodeo. Over the years the facility hosted rodeos, circuses, school festivals, livestock shows, horse competitions and the farmers’ market.

Where it is in the county

Randolph County is in east-central Alabama along the Georgia line. Wedowee is the county seat, Roanoke is the largest city, and the main roads are US 431 and Alabama Highways 22, 48 and 77. Lake Wedowee, which has more than 270 miles of shoreline, is the county’s best-known outdoor draw. Farming here leans toward poultry, cattle, commercial vegetables and forestry. That is a different mix from the row-crop counties to the south, and it shapes which livestock classes draw the most entries.

What Happened to the Fairgrounds

Closure, foreclosure and a new owner

The center has had a rough few years. The state fire marshal shut it down in August 2020 after finding 24 violations of the state fire code. The shutdown was temporary, but events there have been few and far between in recent years, and the Randolph County Cattleman’s Association moved its annual July rodeo elsewhere.

The center fell into financial distress beginning in 2023. The USDA started foreclosure, but a lawsuit by the equine association stalled it. The county commission also changed how it distributes tobacco tax revenue in February 2025, sending the money to the center directly instead of to the association, with $42,000 budgeted for 2026.
The property was auctioned on the courthouse steps on September 3, 2026. Local businessman Rodd Hineman won with a bid of $665,000, after six bidders competed from an opening bid of $385,000. He said the plan is to run it as an agricultural center, as it was intended, with opportunities for local youth. The winning bidder had until noon the next day to pay. I couldn’t confirm that the sale closed or find an announced schedule for the grounds, so check with the new owner or the Randolph Leader before you plan an event there.

Upcoming Events at Randolph County Fairgrounds

What to expect, and what not to

Don’t assume anything is scheduled at the center this season. Given its recent history, treat any event listing you find on a third-party site as unconfirmed until the organizer or owner verifies it. Past events included the equine association’s horse shows, rodeos and a traveling circus, and the Alabama FFA once listed the center as a validation site for the Randolph County Livestock Show. Whether any of that returns depends on the new ownership.

Where to find current events

• The Randolph Leader. The paper keeps a “Coming Events” page and accepts submissions by email. It is also the paper that has followed the center’s sale most closely.
• Randolph County Extension Office. The Alabama Cooperative Extension office is at 108 Woodland Avenue NW in Wedowee, (256) 357-2841. That listing may be dated, so call before you drive over.
• Randolph County Farmers Federation. The office is at 112 Main Street South in Wedowee, (256) 357-2150.

Visitors exploring Randolph County Alabama Fairgrounds Events can also discover exciting community gatherings and seasonal activities featured through Pike County Alabama Fairgrounds Events. Both counties provide opportunities to experience local traditions, agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, family-friendly festivals, and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Exploring events in Randolph and Pike counties allows families and travelers to discover more of Alabama’s community spirit, enjoy memorable outings, and stay informed about upcoming fairs and celebrations throughout the state.

Livestock Shows, 4-H and FFA

4-H in Randolph County

The Extension office runs 4-H in the county. Its summer programming has included Clover Classrooms for ages 9 to 13, held at a Wedowee location. Livestock youth can also show outside the county. The 4-H Chick Chain Show and Auction was held August 1 at the Clay County Livestock Show Barn, a four-county event for 4-H youth from Clay, Cleburne, Randolph and Talladega counties. Ask the Extension office how to join the chick program next spring and how to enter other show-ring projects. therandolphleader

FFA

Randolph County High School in Wedowee and the Roanoke-area schools have FFA programs. I couldn’t verify chapter counts or each chapter’s show schedule, so contact the individual ag teachers. FFA is a main route into the Alabama junior livestock circuit.

Shows beyond the county line

The Alabama 4-H calendar lists the Alabama National Fair youth sheep and swine shows in Montgomery on October 16-17, 2026, and the North Alabama Junior Beef Expo in Blount County on December 4-5, 2026. Spring livestock shows (cattle, swine and dairy) are listed for Montgomery in March 2027. Randolph County exhibitors who want show-ring experience this year will mostly be traveling. aces

Getting to the Randolph County Equine and Agricultural Center

The center is off US 431 south of Wedowee. Coming from Roanoke, the county’s largest city, you go through the county via the state highways above toward Wedowee, then south on US 431. From Anniston, Heflin or Lineville, you reach US 431 and go south at Wedowee. These are general directions, so plug the verified address into your GPS before you go, and expect the facility to be gated or closed if no event is running. I found no public transit or fair-week shuttle service.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

There is no fair premium book or vendor application to point to. For an event at the center, apply to whoever is running it. For livestock and 4-H exhibits, start with the Extension office. If the new owner publishes facility rental terms, this page will be updated.

History

Randolph County was founded on December 18, 1832. The fairground story is much newer than the county. The equine center was built in the last decade with federal loans, hosted a run of rodeos, horse shows and school events, closed temporarily in 2020, went into foreclosure in 2026 and sold at auction in September. I found no record of a long-running county fair association or a fair that was canceled. randolphcountyal

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Randolph County Fair in 2026-2027?

No annual Randolph County, Alabama county fair with published dates turned up. Check the Randolph Leader “Coming Events” page and the county Extension office for any new event announcements.

Where are the Randolph County fairgrounds?

The Randolph County Equine and Agricultural Center is off US Highway 431 just south of Wedowee. Listings give the address as 2959 County Road 33, so confirm it before traveling.

Who owns the Randolph County Equine and Ag Center?

It was sold at auction on September 3, 2026, to local businessman Rodd Hineman, whose winning bid was $665,000. Confirm the sale has closed with the owner or the local paper.

Is there camping at the fairgrounds?

I couldn’t verify any camping or RV hookups. Lake Wedowee has public recreation areas nearby.

How do I enter livestock in a Randolph County show?

Call the county Extension office at (256) 357-2841. Youth can also enter FFA and 4-H shows, including the regional Chick Chain, through their ag teacher or Extension agent.