Perry County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events
The Perry County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on Hickory Street in Perryville, the county seat in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. Fair week mixes livestock shows with motorsports, including a demolition derby, motocross, and tractor pulls. The grounds also host a radio swap meet and other community events. This guide covers what is confirmed, what changes from year to year, and where to check the current schedule.
Overview of Perry County Fairgrounds
Location and address
The fairgrounds are at 124 Hickory Street in Perryville, Arkansas, ZIP code 72126. Perryville sits near the center of the county, and the Perry County Courthouse is on Main and Pine streets in the commercial heart of town, a short distance from the grounds. Perryville is roughly an hour from Little Rock, Conway, Russellville, and Hot Springs, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
Who runs the fair
The Perry County Fair Association runs the fair. The fairgrounds page names the Perry County Agricultural Society and Genesis Healthcare as sponsors of the fair. The Perry County Extension Office, part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, serves Perry County residents, including the communities of Perryville, Hollis, Nimrod, Aplin, Houston, and Bigelow. Arkansas law requires county fair boards to include a county extension agent as a non-voting member, so the extension office is part of the fair’s governance.
Acreage and facilities
Total acreage and the number of permanent buildings were not verified. Confirm the layout with the fair association before planning an exhibit or event.
How long the fair has operated
The fair has been held for many decades, but the sources differ on when it began. The Perry County Chamber of Commerce says the fair has run since 1946, while the Perry County Fairgrounds’ own fair page calls the 2026 event the 73rd annual fair. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas notes that Perryville hosted the annual fair during the Depression. Confirm the founding year with the fair association.
Cultural and agricultural significance
Perry County is primarily an agricultural county. Its river valleys have rich soils, and nearly half the county lies inside the Ouachita National Forest. Cattle, hog, and poultry production, rice, and soybeans are part of the local economy, according to the Association of Arkansas Counties. The Arkansas Goat Festival is also held in the county each year, and the Heifer Project International Learning and Livestock Center operates on 1,200 acres in the county. The fair brings these farm traditions together in one place.
Upcoming Events at Perry County Fairgrounds
Types of events
The fairgrounds host the county fair, a demolition derby, a motocross event, rough truck and car contests, farm and garden tractor pulls, a truck and tractor transfer pull, and a radio swap meet. The Central Arkansas Hamfest and Swap Meet was held at the fairgrounds on October 18, 2025, sponsored by local amateur radio clubs. Horse shows, pageants, and square dancing are also part of the fair program. Concerts, gun shows, and flea markets were not confirmed.
Seasonal patterns
The fair has been held in late summer or early fall. The 2026 dates are confirmed as mid-September only in one local news report, while another fair guide listed late August and the fairgrounds’ page listed July dates. Check the official schedule for the year you plan to attend. Fall events on the grounds include the radio swap meet, which was held in October in 2025.
Finding the current schedule
The Perry County Fair Association is the primary source for fair dates. The Perry County Extension Office can confirm 4-H and livestock events. The fairgrounds also publish a fair book and schedule. Because the 2026 dates varied across sources, confirm the exact days before you travel.
Renting the grounds
Rental rates and availability for private events were not verified. Contact the fair association to ask about booking the grounds.
The Perry County Fair Itself
Name and timing
The event is the Perry County Fair. Its timing has varied across sources, so check the official schedule for each year.
Competitions
Youth livestock shows are a central part of the fair. Recent coverage describes showmanship events, a bred cattle show, poultry showmanship, a stockmanship contest, a skillathon, and an exhibitor night. The local 4-H livestock show includes beef, swine, sheep, goats, and dairy cattle. Crop, home economics, photography, art, woodworking, floriculture, canning, and baking departments were not confirmed for the current fair.
Visitors exploring Perry County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also discover local celebrations through Ouachita County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events. Exploring both counties helps visitors learn about regional heritage, discover seasonal gatherings, and enjoy community activities throughout Arkansas.
Carnival rides and midway
Carnival rides are part of the fair, according to the fairgrounds’ fair page, which listed rides as included with admission. The carnival company and ride count were not verified.
Food vendors
Local vendors and fair food stands are part of the event. Specific nonprofit food stands and any locally known foods were not confirmed.
Entertainment
The fairgrounds’ fair page listed a demolition derby on Monday, motocross on Tuesday, a rough truck and car contest on Wednesday, farm and garden tractor pulls on Thursday, and a truck and tractor transfer pull on Saturday. Square dancing takes place in the pavilion each night, and a parade and rodeo queen and clown contest opened the most recent fair. The antique tractor transfer pull was canceled for the 2026 fair.
Youth and junior fair programs
Youth programs are central to the fair. Events include a junior fair queen and king competition, a stick horse rodeo, a Big Wheels event, a 4-H stockmanship contest, a skillathon, and the Robert Parish Memorial Premium Sale. The number of 4-H clubs in Perry County was not confirmed.
Gate admission, parking, and passes
The fairgrounds’ fair page listed admission at $15 for the day sessions from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the evening sessions from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., including rides. The page also mentioned a 4-H armband pickup. Season passes, parking fees, and free admission for children or seniors were not verified. Check the current year’s price before going.
Facilities and Grounds
Exhibit buildings
Exhibit buildings for arts, crafts, and farm displays are part of the fairgrounds. The number of buildings and their purposes were not verified.
Livestock barns and stall rental
The fairgrounds include a show barn used for 4-H livestock shows. Stall rental procedures were not confirmed. Youth exhibitors should contact the extension office for barn assignments.
Grandstand or arena
The fairgrounds host motorsports and tractor pulls, and a pavilion hosts evening entertainment. Seating capacity and arena specifications were not verified.
Commercial vendor space
Commercial vendor space is part of the fair. Booth fees and availability were not verified.
Camping and RV facilities
Camping and RV hookups were not confirmed. Plan lodging in Perryville or nearby towns unless the fair confirms otherwise.
Accessibility, parking, and amenities
ADA parking, accessible restrooms, paved paths, parking capacity, concessions, first aid, and ATMs were not verified. Call the fair association before the event with accessibility questions.
Vendor and Exhibitor Information
Commercial booths
Booth applications, fees, and insurance requirements were not verified. Contact the fair association to request vendor forms.
Competitive exhibits and livestock entries
Exhibit entries follow the fair’s rules, and youth livestock entries go through the county 4-H program. Confirm residency requirements and entry forms with the extension office and fair association.
Premium book and deadlines
The premium book lists departments, rules, and deadlines for each year. Obtain the current book from the fair association or extension office.
Contact information
The Perry County Extension Office is at 107 North Plum Street in Perryville, P.O. Box 300. Its phone number is (501) 889-2661 according to the extension listing and the University of Arkansas website. The fair association’s current phone number was not verified, because listings vary.
Getting to Perry County Fairgrounds
From Perryville
The fairgrounds are on Hickory Street in Perryville. Use a current map to confirm the route from Main Street and Pine Street downtown.
Highways and roads
Highway 60 crosses the Arkansas River toward Conway in Faulkner County, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, and it is one of the state routes that serve the county. Other roads that lead directly to the grounds were not verified.
Shuttle and rideshare
Public transportation and shuttle service during fair week were not verified. Plan a pickup spot ahead of time.
4-H and FFA at Perry County Fairgrounds
The extension office role
The Perry County Extension Office coordinates 4-H youth development, including livestock projects, workshops, and fair entries. A federal building conveyed to the county is planned to become the extension office and 4-H meeting space, according to a congressional announcement, but the timing was not confirmed.
4-H clubs
The number of 4-H clubs in Perry County was not verified. Youth can ask the extension office about joining a club and which projects are available.
FFA chapters
FFA participates in the fair through poultry chain auctions and showmanship events. The local high school FFA chapters were not named in the sources reviewed.
Junior livestock auction
The 4-H and FFA poultry chain auction and the premium sale are part of the fair. The full auction rules, bidder eligibility, and how proceeds are distributed were not verified. Ask the extension office or local 4-H and FFA leaders before planning to bid or sell.
Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair
Swap meets and radio events
The Central Arkansas Hamfest and Swap Meet was held at the fairgrounds in October 2025, sponsored by Two Rivers Amateur Radio Group and Perry County Radio Club. Other swap meets, gun shows, and flea markets were not verified.
Rodeos, horse shows, and motocross
The fair’s rodeo queen and clown contest and stick horse rodeo are part of the youth program. Motocross was held as part of fair week. Other rodeo or horse show dates were not verified.
Festivals and community events
The Arkansas Goat Festival is held in Perryville each October, according to a state festival list. Perryville also has the Perry County Courthouse and the Max Milam Library. Chili cook-offs, holiday events, concerts, and community fundraisers at the grounds were not verified.
History of Perry County Fairgrounds
Perry County was created in December 1840 from part of Conway County and named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. The first courthouse was built in Perryville in 1841. The present courthouse, built in 1888 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a two-story brick building on Main Street. The county’s history includes Civil War service and a railroad line that opened the area in the early twentieth century.
The fair’s founding year is listed differently by sources. The Chamber of Commerce says 1946, while the fair’s own schedule calls the 2026 event the 73rd annual fair, which would put the start in the 1950s. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says the fair was held during the Depression. Confirm the history with the fair association.
Attendance records, famous visitors, and major renovations were not verified. Cancellations due to weather, economic hardship, or the pandemic were not verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Perry County Fair in 2026 or 2027?
The 2026 dates are listed differently across sources, including July, late August, and mid-September. Confirm the 2027 dates with the Perry County Fair Association.
What time does Perry County Fairgrounds open?
Business listings show weekday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the grounds closed on weekends. Fair-week hours were not verified.
Is there camping at Perry County Fairgrounds?
Camping and RV hookups were not confirmed. Plan lodging in Perryville unless the fair confirms otherwise.
How do I enter livestock in the Perry County Fair?
Youth enter through the county 4-H program and the extension office. Call the Perry County Extension Office at (501) 889-2661 for entry rules and deadlines.
Are dogs allowed at Perry County Fairgrounds?
Pet policies were not verified. Ask the fair association before bringing a dog, especially during livestock shows.
Where do I park at Perry County Fairgrounds?
Parking capacity and overflow areas were not verified. Arrive early for the demolition derby and tractor pulls.
Who do I contact to rent Perry County Fairgrounds?
Contact the Perry County Fair Association. The fairgrounds’ phone number was not verified, so confirm it before calling.
How much does it cost to get into the Perry County Fair?
The fairgrounds’ fair page listed $15 admission, including rides, for the day and evening sessions. Confirm the current year’s price before going.
