Arkansas County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events

Arkansas County is unusual. It has two county seats, DeWitt in the south and Stuttgart in the north. The county fair is a DeWitt tradition, held every September at the fairgrounds on Liberty Drive. It runs five days and mixes livestock and poultry judging, garden and craft exhibits, carnival rides, a downtown parade and two nights of demolition derby.

This guide covers where the grounds are, who runs the fair, what the 2026 schedule looked like, and how to take part. The Arkansas County Fair Association is a small volunteer organization and does not publish much year-round detail, so where I could not confirm something I say so and point you to the association.

Overview of Arkansas County Fairgrounds

Location

The fairgrounds are at 1000 Liberty Drive, DeWitt, Arkansas 72042. The association’s mailing address is P.O. Box 66, DeWitt, AR 72042. DeWitt is the county seat of the southern district of Arkansas County. Stuttgart, the county’s largest city and the northern district seat, is the other main town.

Who runs it

The Arkansas County Fair Association, Inc. runs the fair and the grounds. It is a nonprofit with a board made up of residents from across the county, and elections are held each January. The association’s email is [email protected]. An older state fair managers’ listing gave the office number as 870-344-2863, so confirm it before you call.

The association describes its programs as pageants, exhibition hall entries, a downtown parade, rides and a livestock show. The livestock show covers horses, beef cattle, swine, sheep and goats.

How long it has operated

The Rotary Club of DeWitt founded the fair in 1938, forming what was then the Arkansas County Fair & Livestock Show Association. The group became the Arkansas County Fair Association, Inc. in January 1987 and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in May 1992. Edition numbers differ by source. A local newspaper called the 2026 fair the 88th, and one listing called it the 90th. I use the newspaper’s number.

Why it matters locally

Arkansas County sits in the Delta, in the heart of the Grand Prairie. The land is rice, soybean and waterfowl country, and the exhibits reflect it. Poultry, waterfowl, rabbits, field crops and horticulture all have entry classes. The fair is the county’s main September gathering and is open to families from both ends of the county.

Upcoming Events at Arkansas County Fairgrounds

What is on now

The 2026 fair ran September 15-19, so the main event for this year is over. The association had not announced 2027 dates when I wrote this. The fair is always in September, so expect another Tuesday-through-Saturday run in mid-September.

I could not find a published year-round event calendar for the fairgrounds. The association’s website has a “Things To Do At The Fairgrounds” section, so check it for horse shows or other events.

Finding the schedule

The Arkansas County Fair Association’s website is the main source for schedules, RV reservations and the fair schedule. A local newspaper publishes the full schedule the week before the fair. You can also email the association.

Renting the grounds

I did not find a published rental price list. The association is the contact for rentals and for horse or livestock events. Email [email protected].

The Arkansas County Fair

Dates and pattern

The fair is held in September. The 2026 fair ran Tuesday, September 15, through Saturday, September 19. Entry check-in happens the weekend and Monday before, and judging starts Tuesday morning.

The 2026 schedule

• Sunday and Monday: livestock, poultry, waterfowl and rabbit exhibits accepted. Adult and youth arts, crafts, horticulture and field crop entries came in Monday afternoon.
• Tuesday: poultry, waterfowl and rabbit judging from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair opened to the public at 5 p.m.
• Wednesday: free admission night, 5 to 10 p.m., with carnival tickets $1 each.
• Thursday: the Arkansas County Fair Parade at 4 p.m. at Court Square in DeWitt. Participants lined up at 3:15 p.m. at the former DeWitt Middle School location at 301 N. Jackson St. The fairgrounds opened at 5 p.m. after the parade.
• Friday: demolition derby at the fairgrounds arena, $10 per person. The pit area is limited to ages 16 and older.
• Saturday: gates opened at 1 p.m. with $2 admission, and a second demolition derby started at 6 p.m. for $10.

The newspaper noted that the schedule is subject to change. To enter the parade, the paper listed a contact number of 870-659-2058.

Visitors exploring Arkansas County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also discover community gatherings and seasonal celebrations through Yuma County Arizona Fairgrounds Events. Both locations offer opportunities to learn about local traditions, enjoy regional activities, and discover community events for families and visitors.

Exhibits and competitions

Exhibit categories include livestock, poultry, waterfowl, rabbits, arts, crafts, horticulture and field crops. The association also holds pageants. I did not find a full premium book, so ask the association for class lists and deadlines.

Carnival, food and entertainment

The fair has a carnival, and one listing gives ride hours of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 5 p.m. to close Thursday and Friday. I could not confirm the carnival company, ride count or wristband prices. I did not find details about food vendors or nonprofit stands.

Admission

The 2026 gate admission was listed at $2 per person, with Wednesday free admission night and $10 derby tickets. I could not confirm parking fees, senior or child rates, or season passes.

Facilities and Grounds

Layout

The fairgrounds include an arena where the derby is held, exhibit space for arts and horticulture, and livestock, poultry and rabbit areas. I could not find a count of buildings, stall numbers, grandstand capacity or acreage, so I am not stating any. Ask the association for a map.

RV and camping

The association’s website has an RV Space Reservation System for fair week. Rates and availability were not visible to me, so check there. Lodging is also available in Stuttgart and in DeWitt.

Accessibility and amenities

I did not find published details on ADA parking, paved paths, first aid or ATMs. Call or email before the fair if you need an accessible route.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Vendors

The association has not published a vendor application online that I could find. Contact it by email well before September to ask about commercial booths and food vendors, since carnival and food arrangements often get set early.

Exhibitors

Entries are taken in the days before the fair opens. For 2026, livestock, poultry, waterfowl and rabbits came in Sunday and Monday, and arts, crafts, horticulture and field crops came Monday afternoon. Get the current rules from the association.

Contact

• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: P.O. Box 66, DeWitt, AR 72042
• Grounds: 1000 Liberty Drive, DeWitt, AR 72042

Getting to Arkansas County Fairgrounds

The grounds are in DeWitt, in the southern part of the county. Highway 165 connects DeWitt and Stuttgart. From Little Rock, plan on roughly an hour and a half, and from Pine Bluff, less. Confirm your route before you leave. I did not find public transit or a fair-week shuttle, and the grounds are in a small town where rideshare is unreliable, so drive.

4-H and FFA at Arkansas County Fairgrounds

Extension and youth programs

The Cooperative Extension Service coordinates 4-H in the county. Contact the county Extension office for youth entry rules, and ask your 4-H leader or FFA advisor. I could not find a count of active 4-H clubs or a list of participating FFA chapters, so I am not naming any.

Livestock show

The fair association’s roots are in the livestock show, and it describes showing and judging for horses, beef cattle, swine, sheep and goats. I could not find a published junior livestock auction schedule or buyer rules. If you are a buyer or an exhibitor, ask the association.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fair includes a downtown parade, pageants and two demolition derby nights. I did not find gun shows, swap meets, rodeos, motocross or concerts on a published calendar. Check the association’s site and Facebook for horse shows or other uses.

History of Arkansas County Fairgrounds

The Rotary Club of DeWitt founded the fair in 1938. The association took its current name in 1987 and became a 501(c)(3) in 1992. The fair’s edition numbers show it has run for nearly nine decades. I could not verify attendance records, notable visitors, cancellations or changes to the grounds, so I am not guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Arkansas County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been announced. The fair is always held in September in DeWitt. The 2026 fair was September 15-19.

What time does the Arkansas County Fair open?

In 2026 the fair opened to the public at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Is there camping at Arkansas County Fairgrounds?

The association offers an RV space reservation system on its website. Check there for rates and availability.

How do I enter livestock in the Arkansas County Fair?

Livestock, poultry, waterfowl and rabbit entries are accepted the weekend before the fair. Youth exhibitors should ask their 4-H leader or FFA advisor, and everyone else can contact the association.

Are dogs allowed at Arkansas County Fairgrounds?

I did not find a published pet policy. Ask the association before you bring one.

Where do I park at Arkansas County Fairgrounds?

Parking is at the fairgrounds at 1000 Liberty Drive, DeWitt. Fee and overflow details were not published.

Who do I contact to rent Arkansas County Fairgrounds?

Email the Arkansas County Fair Association at [email protected].

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

The 2026 admission was listed at $2 per person. Wednesday was free admission night, and demolition derby tickets were $10.

Is there a parade?

Yes. The Arkansas County Fair Parade starts at Court Square in DeWitt on Thursday of fair week.