Pinal County Arizona Fairgrounds Events

Pinal County Fairgrounds sits at a spot locals call Eleven Mile Corner, east of Casa Grande. The property is flat, dusty, and wide open. It handles a surprising range of events: a five-day county fair in March, livestock shows, gun shows, bluegrass weekends, home shows, weddings and RV overnighters.

This guide covers what the grounds are, who runs them, what is coming up, and how to take part as a vendor, exhibitor or 4-H and FFA member. Where something changes year to year, I say so and point you to the fair office instead of guessing.

Overview of Pinal County Fairgrounds

Location and address

The fairgrounds and event center are at 512 South Eleven Mile Corner Road, Casa Grande, Arizona 85194. The grounds are about seven miles east of Interstate 10, on the Casa Grande side of Pinal County. That puts them roughly midway between Phoenix and Tucson. Coolidge and Florence, the county seat, are a short drive northeast.

Some third-party listings show the address as “512 N” instead of “512 S.” The correct form is South Eleven Mile Corner Road, so use that in your GPS.

Who runs it

The Central Arizona Fair Association (CAFA) manages the property. It is a nonprofit organization formed to maintain and operate the 120-acre facility for Pinal County residents and visitors. CAFA describes its purpose as providing a showplace for educational activities, recognizing the county’s agricultural heritage, and hosting community events and expositions.

Misti Todd is listed as executive director. The fair office phone is 520-723-7881.

How long it has been operating

The fairgrounds have been a community fixture for more than 60 years. The fair celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025, which puts the 2027 edition at number 72. Some listing sites claim an older founding year, and I could not reconcile that with the anniversary count. If you need an exact founding date for a school project or news story, ask the fair office.

Why it matters locally

Pinal County has long been farm country, with cotton, alfalfa, dairy and cattle operations around Casa Grande, Eloy, Coolidge and Florence. The fair is where that farm economy meets the growing Phoenix-Tucson corridor. Kids who raise market animals show up next to families who come for the carnival and the free entertainment.

Upcoming Events at Pinal County Fairgrounds

What is on the calendar now

These are the events I found scheduled through spring 2027. Dates can shift, so confirm with the organizer before you drive out.

• Casa Grande Gun Show: December 12-13, 2026, and again April 3-4, 2027. A promoter listing shows 8-foot vendor tables at $115 each.
• RLP Western Show: a western collectibles show, January 16-17, 2027.
• Casa Grande Home & Backyard Show: February 12-14, 2027, aimed at homeowners and contractors.
• Field Trip Friday: school tours on Friday, March 19, 2027, during fair week. Registration closes February 26, 2027.
• Pinal County Fair: March 17-21, 2027.

Recurring events

The fairgrounds’ own event page highlights two annual events besides the fair. One is the Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival. The other is the Arizona Classic Livestock Show. Horse shows, trade shows and community gatherings also use the grounds through the year.

Seasonal pattern

Arizona’s event season runs opposite to much of the country. Fall through spring is the busy stretch because summer heat makes outdoor events impractical in Casa Grande. The county fair lands in mid-March, when the weather is usually comfortable. Gun shows, western shows and home shows fill the winter months. Expect the summer calendar to be much lighter and mostly indoors.

Finding the current schedule

The fairgrounds’ official website lists upcoming events and the fair. The office phone, 520-723-7881, is the reliable fallback. Third-party aggregator pages often carry stale dates or wrong addresses, so treat them as a starting point only.

Renting the grounds

The grounds are rentable. Past uses include weddings, trade shows, meetings, parties, livestock events and community gatherings. Indoor space is reported to handle groups of up to about 800 people. For rental questions, call the office or email the rentals address listed on the fairgrounds’ site.

The Pinal County Fair

Dates and theme

The fair runs five days in mid-March. The 2026 edition was March 18-22 under the theme “Neon Nights and Carnival Lights.” The 2027 fair is set for March 17-21.

Hours

Recent years have followed this pattern:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The 2027 hours had not been published when I wrote this. The Friday morning opening exists mainly for school groups. Check the fair’s site for the final schedule.

Competitions and exhibits

The fair has open and youth competitions in livestock, home arts, crops, and arts and crafts. Livestock includes market and breeding animals, and 4-H and FFA exhibitors are a big part of it. The Pinal County 4-H handbook references showmanship contests, poultry and rabbit classes, an egg division, and a livestock judging contest. It also lists a skill-a-thon expo, among other competitions.

Carnival and midway

The fair has a carnival with rides and fair games. Admission and ride pricing change annually. In 2027, discounted admission tickets are available online from February 1 through noon on March 17, so buying ahead lets you skip the gate line. I could not confirm ride wristband pricing for 2027, so check the fair’s site as dates approach.

Food

Recent listings count roughly 20 food booths. The fair also needs outside vendors to carry a Pinal County food or temporary event permit. That is why a lot of the lineup is regional food trucks and concession operators rather than only church and club stands.

Entertainment

Entertainment is a signature draw. The fair runs continuous free community entertainment, and it takes applications from amateur and professional performers each year. For 2026 the deadline was February 1. Expect the same early-year timing for 2027. Concerts and touring acts have been part of past lineups, including a Hispanic music concert in 2019, reflecting the area’s large Spanish-speaking community.

Admission and parking

Admission has changed over the years. Listings for 2023 and 2024 describe free admission, while the 2026 fair was listed at roughly $5 to $10. Treat any figure as unconfirmed until the 2027 gate prices are posted. Ask the fair office about parking fees, children’s and senior rates, and season passes.

Visitors interested in Pinal County Arizona Fairgrounds Events can also explore community activities through Pima County Arizona Fairgrounds Events. Both counties offer opportunities to discover local traditions, enjoy seasonal festivals, and find family-friendly gatherings that make exploring Arizona more enjoyable.

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings, barns and arena

The 120-acre property includes exhibit buildings, indoor event space, livestock facilities, and open ground for the carnival and vendor areas. I could not confirm an exact count of buildings, barns, stalls or arena seating, so I have left those numbers out. If you are planning a livestock event or large show, ask the office for a facility map and capacity sheet.

Camping and RV

The grounds offer RV and tent camping. Sites have water and electric hookups only, and there is a dump station on the property. Rates vary by site type and length of stay. Visitor reports describe about $10 per night for dry camping and about $25 for water and electric, with weekly and monthly rates available. Confirm current rates before you go. Reviewers also note some road noise by day and say the entrance can be hard to spot. Several describe a self-check-in arrangement, and the camping area is near the fair office.

Accessibility, parking and amenities

The grounds have a large parking area at the front. I did not find published details on ADA parking, paved pathways or restroom locations, nor on a first aid station or ATMs. If you need accessible parking or a mobility route, call ahead during business hours. Fair week typically brings extra services, but ask about them.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and food vendors

Applications for the county fair are due months ahead. For the 2026 fair the timeline looked like this:

• Commercial and food vendor applications: due January 9
• Food health permit: due February 13
• Certificate of insurance from all vendors: due February 13

Expect a similar schedule for 2027, with applications opening in the fall. Applications are submitted by email or mail to the fair office. The Pinal County mobile food permit covers food vendors who already hold one. Others need the proper county health permit before the fair.

Performers and artists

Community acts can apply to perform on the free entertainment stages. The 2026 deadline was February 1. Art and craft vendors have also had early-January deadlines in past years.

Entering competitive exhibits

Youth exhibitors usually enter through their 4-H club, FFA chapter or the Pinal County Junior Livestock Committee. Pinal County’s 4-H fair materials point to online entry systems, and the Junior Livestock Committee runs its own online entry page. Open class exhibitors should request the current premium book from the fair office.

Contacting the fair office

• Phone: 520-723-7881
• Mail: 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner Rd., Casa Grande, AZ 85194
• Rentals and vendor questions: email addresses are listed on the fairgrounds’ official site

Getting to Pinal County Fairgrounds

From the Interstate

Take Interstate 10 to Casa Grande, then head east on the roads toward Eleven Mile Corner. The fairgrounds are about seven miles east of the interstate. From Phoenix it is roughly an hour south. From Tucson it is about an hour north. From Coolidge or Florence, plan on a short drive southwest. Use the physical address in your GPS. I did not find shuttle or public transit service to the grounds, so plan to drive. Rideshare drivers can find the address, but fair-week drop-off locations are not published, so ask the office before relying on one.

4-H and FFA at Pinal County Fairgrounds

Extension office

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office in Casa Grande, at 820 East Cottonwood Lane, coordinates 4-H programming in the county. Its phone number is 520-836-5221. Its fair exhibitor handbook covers entry rules, class lists, age divisions, showmanship, and the livestock schedule. The handbook is dated, so ask for the current edition.

Clubs and chapters

I could not find a reliable current count of Pinal County 4-H clubs, so I am not giving a number. Local FFA chapters at schools in Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Maricopa and other districts participate. A 2018 news report on the auction featured a Casa Grande Union High School student and her reserve champion market hog.

Junior livestock auction

The junior livestock auction is held on a Saturday of fair week, with buyer registration beforehand. Species include swine, lambs, goats and beef. Animals compete for grand and reserve champion honors, and buyers bid on market animals. Buyers are typically local businesses, ranchers and families. Proceeds generally go to the young exhibitors for their project costs and savings. The exact auction date and buyer rules for 2027 should come from the Pinal County Junior Livestock Committee or the extension office.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

• Gun shows: twice-yearly shows run by Arizona Gun Shows, with about two shows a year listed through 2027.
• Collectible and western shows: the RLP Western Show in January.
• Home and trade shows: the Home & Backyard Show in February.
• Music: the Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival.
• Livestock shows: the Arizona Classic Livestock Show.
• Camping: RV and tent stays year-round.

History of Pinal County Fairgrounds

The grounds have hosted the fair for over six decades, and the fair marked its 70th anniversary in 2025. Over that time the surrounding area has shifted from mostly farmland toward a growing commuter population. The fairgrounds still anchor the county’s agricultural identity. I could not verify reliable details about attendance records, famous visitors, past cancellations or major changes to the grounds. For a deeper account, local newspapers such as the Casa Grande Dispatch have covered the fair for years and are a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Pinal County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 Pinal County Fair is scheduled for March 17-21, 2027, at the fairgrounds in Casa Grande.

What time does Pinal County Fairgrounds open during the fair?

Recent fairs opened at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Confirm 2027 hours with the fair office.

Is there camping at Pinal County Fairgrounds?

Yes. The grounds offer RV and tent camping with water and electric hookups and an on-site dump station. Rates vary, so call the office.

How do I enter livestock in the Pinal County Fair?

Youth exhibitors enter through their 4-H club or FFA chapter. Pinal County’s junior livestock program and the extension office handle entry details and deadlines. Open class entries go through the fair office and the premium book.

Are dogs allowed at Pinal County Fairgrounds?

I could not find a published pet policy for the fair. Service animals are generally permitted, but with livestock on site, ask the fair office whether pets are allowed.

Where do I park at Pinal County Fairgrounds?

Park in the large lot at the fairgrounds at 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner Road. Fair-week parking fees and overflow areas are not published, so ask the office.

Who do I contact to rent Pinal County Fairgrounds?

Call the fair office at 520-723-7881 or use the rentals email on the fairgrounds’ official site.

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

Admission has varied by year. The 2026 fair was reported at roughly $5 to $10, and online discounted tickets are offered ahead of the 2027 fair. Check the official site for current prices.

How do I become a vendor at the Pinal County Fair?

Download the vendor application from the fairgrounds’ website and submit it by email or mail. Last cycle the deadline was early January, with insurance and food permits due in mid-February.