Suwannee County Florida Fairgrounds Events

The Suwannee County Fairgrounds is located at 1302 11th Street SW, Live Oak, Florida 32064, in Suwannee County’s county seat. The grounds host the annual Suwannee County Fair and Youth Livestock Show and Sale, a long-running community event that brings together local families, agricultural exhibitors, young livestock handlers, food vendors, and entertainment providers.

The fair is organized by the Suwannee County Fair Association, which coordinates fair programming and works with volunteers and local organizations. The Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale has a separate governing board responsible for the hog and steer show and sale. This distinction matters to families seeking information about livestock competitions, sales, and youth exhibitor requirements.

The fair began more than a century ago, according to the association, and continues to showcase the agricultural and community traditions of North Florida. Live Oak’s position along major regional highways makes the grounds accessible to residents of Branford, Wellborn, Dowling Park, and neighboring counties.

The fairgrounds’ precise acreage, total building count, and overall capacity are not publicly established in the information available for this guide. Visitors planning a large gathering or commercial event should confirm the current facilities and rental arrangements with fair management.

Upcoming Events at Suwannee County Fairgrounds

Suwannee County Fair 2027

The next scheduled annual fair runs from March 19 through March 27, 2027. The nine-day event is expected to bring the usual combination of fair attractions, agricultural activities, youth programming, food, and entertainment. The precise lineup and individual event times should be checked against the published schedule as the fair approaches.

The fair association’s published calendar provides day-by-day information, including opening times and midway activities. The association lists the regular fair opening at 5:45 p.m. on many scheduled days, but special activities can have different hours.

Other events also use the grounds. The Live Oak Festival, for example, has advertised a February 27–28, 2027, event at the fairgrounds, featuring strawberry-themed activities, entertainment, and family attractions. This is a separate event from the annual county fair.

Events throughout the year

Depending on the organizer and schedule, visitors may encounter:

• Youth livestock shows, judging, and livestock sales.
• Carnival rides, midway games, and fair food concessions.
• Agricultural displays, educational activities, and community exhibits.
• Live entertainment and special family events.
• Seasonal festivals and activities organized by outside event promoters.

Do not assume that every event commonly associated with county fairgrounds—such as demolition derbies, tractor pulls, flea markets, gun shows, or motocross—is scheduled at this location. Confirm the individual event before traveling.

For current Suwannee County fair events, consult the association’s latest event calendar and announcements. Outside event organizers may publish separate schedules, admission arrangements, and visitor instructions.

The Suwannee County Fair: Dates, Attractions, and Activities

2027 Suwannee County Fair: March 19–27, 2027

The Suwannee County Fair is the main annual attraction at the Live Oak grounds. Its agricultural competitions and youth livestock program are central to the event, alongside rides, entertainment, food stands, and displays celebrating the area’s community life.

The published 2027 calendar lists a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on March 19, the fair opening at 5:45 p.m., and the midway opening at 6 p.m. The schedule also lists a 10 p.m. closing time for exhibition buildings on several evenings. Individual attractions may operate on different schedules.

Livestock shows and agricultural exhibits

The youth livestock program gives participating young people an opportunity to raise, prepare, and present animals before judges. The fair association identifies dairy, goat, poultry, and rabbit activities among its responsibilities, while the separate Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale Board manages the hog and steer show and sale.

Depending on the published competition program, visitors may also encounter educational agricultural displays, animal-care demonstrations, and youth projects. Specific classes, entry requirements, and judging times should be checked in the current exhibitor information rather than assumed from a previous year’s program.

Carnival rides, midway games, and food

The midway adds amusement rides, games, and concession stands to the agricultural side of the Suwannee County Fair. Previous fair coverage has shown a Ferris wheel, carousel, thrill rides, and food booths serving items such as corn dogs, nachos, and other traditional fair snacks.

Ride packages, wristband deals, individual ride prices, and operating hours can change each year. Visitors should check the current ride specials before budgeting for a family visit.

Entertainment and community participation

The fair association’s board assigns responsibilities for stage acts and a demolition derby, indicating that these activities form part of its event-planning work. However, visitors should consult the current calendar to confirm which performances and competitions are scheduled for their chosen date.

Local organizations and volunteers also contribute to fair operations. For Suwannee County families, the fair provides a place to see youth agricultural projects, enjoy the midway, and participate in an established annual community gathering.

Admission and parking

The fair association advertises free parking. Its published schedule lists the general opening time as 5:45 p.m. on many fair evenings, but visitors should verify any special daytime programs or schedule changes.

Free parking does not necessarily mean free admission to the fair or every attraction. Current gate prices, ride charges, children’s admission policies, senior discounts, and multi-day passes should be confirmed before arrival.

Facilities and Grounds

The Suwannee County Fairgrounds accommodates a combination of agricultural activities, exhibition areas, midway attractions, and entertainment. The association’s published responsibilities identify a poultry and rabbit barn, dairy-show activities, goat-show programming, and a coliseum used for scheduled events.

The available public information does not establish a reliable total for permanent buildings, livestock stall capacity, grandstand seating, acreage, or vehicle parking spaces. Organizers requiring these details should obtain them directly from the fair office.

Florida’s fairgrounds provide venues for agricultural displays, livestock competitions, local vendors, and community entertainment. Visitors searching for Suwannee County Florida Fairgrounds Events can explore upcoming fairs and seasonal gatherings while also learning about Sumter County Florida Fairgrounds Events.

Livestock and exhibition areas

Livestock facilities support the fair’s youth animal program and related competitions. Exhibitors should ask about animal check-in, health documentation, pen assignments, bedding, feeding arrangements, and removal deadlines before transporting animals to Live Oak.

Exhibition buildings and display areas may have specific delivery windows and judging requirements. The current premium book and exhibitor calendar are the best starting points for understanding those arrangements.

Accessibility and visitor amenities

Visitors who need accessible parking, step-free routes, accessible restrooms, or assistance with mobility should confirm the arrangements with fair management before visiting. The exact availability of these facilities, first-aid services, ATMs, and permanent concession areas should not be assumed without current confirmation.

The fair’s evening schedule makes it sensible to arrive early, identify the event entrance, and plan a meeting point if visiting with children or a large group.

Camping and RV parking

Camping and overnight RV facilities at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds are not confirmed by the available event information. RV travelers should ask the association whether overnight parking is permitted during fair week and whether hookups, reservations, or separate fees apply. Nearby private campgrounds should be considered if overnight stays on the grounds are not available.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

The fair welcomes participation from businesses, community organizations, and agricultural exhibitors, but vendor applications and competitive exhibit entries follow different processes.

Commercial vendor booths

Businesses interested in selling food, crafts, merchandise, or other permitted products should ask the fair association about booth availability, application deadlines, electrical requirements, insurance, fees, and restrictions on products or sales methods.

A booth application does not automatically guarantee acceptance. Food vendors may need to meet applicable health and permitting requirements in addition to the fair’s own conditions.

Competitive exhibits and premium books

Livestock exhibitors and people entering other competitive categories should review the applicable entry rules before preparing a submission. A premium book typically explains categories, eligibility, judging criteria, deadlines, and any awards or premiums.

The fair association provides dedicated exhibitor information, livestock-entry details, and record-book materials. Families should verify the correct forms and dates for the 2027 fair instead of relying on older paperwork.

For general fair inquiries, contact the Suwannee County Fair Association at (386) 362-FAIR. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 266, Live Oak, FL 32064.

Getting to Suwannee County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds are at 1302 11th Street SW in Live Oak, making the site accessible by road from other parts of Suwannee County and neighboring North Florida communities.

Driving directions

• From the north: The fair association’s directions identify Interstate 75 south to Exit 451 toward Live Oak, followed by US-129 and Florida Highway 51. Florida Highway 51 continues onto 11th Street SW/County Road 136.
• From the west: The published route uses Interstate 10 east to Exit 275, followed by US-90 east toward Live Oak and the US-129/Florida Highway 51 route to 11th Street SW.
• From downtown Live Oak: Use local streets to reach 11th Street SW and follow signs or event staff instructions near the fairgrounds.

Visitors coming from Branford, Wellborn, or other nearby communities should check their preferred route before departure, particularly during busy fair evenings.

Public transportation and rideshares

Regular public transportation, dedicated fair shuttles, and designated rideshare pickup zones are not confirmed in the published visitor information. Anyone using a rideshare should agree on a safe pickup location with the driver and follow temporary traffic instructions from event staff.

Allow additional travel time on popular evenings, especially when the midway and major entertainment events are scheduled.

4-H and FFA at Suwannee County Fairgrounds

Youth agricultural education is an important part of the Suwannee County Fair. Livestock projects help young participants develop animal-care skills, record keeping, responsibility, and confidence presenting their work to judges and prospective buyers.

4-H, FFA, and youth livestock sales

Suwannee County’s agricultural youth activities connect families with the wider agricultural community. The specific number of participating 4-H clubs and FFA chapters for the 2027 fair is not confirmed here, so students should check with their school agriculture instructors and the county’s University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension office.

The youth livestock sale is managed separately from the fair association’s general event programming by the Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale Board. The hog and steer show and sale fall under that board’s responsibility.

How the junior livestock auction works

In a typical youth livestock sale, eligible exhibitors present their animals under the competition rules, and buyers bid according to the sale procedure. The details of animal ownership, payment, processing, buyer responsibilities, and how proceeds are distributed depend on the program’s current rules.

Prospective buyers should obtain the current sale schedule and buyer instructions from the livestock sale organizers. Families entering animals should check eligibility, identification, weigh-in, health documentation, record books, and deadlines well before fair week.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fairgrounds can host events beyond the main March fair, giving local organizers a venue for seasonal activities and public gatherings.

One separately advertised event is the Live Oak Festival, scheduled for February 27–28, 2027, at the fairgrounds. Its announced attractions include strawberry-themed activities, live entertainment, and family amusements. As with any upcoming event, the final program and admission arrangements should be checked before traveling.

The fair association also has a board member assigned to demolition derby responsibilities. Other possible activities—such as horse shows, swap meets, seasonal markets, touring entertainment, or fundraisers—should be treated as individual event possibilities rather than confirmed regular fixtures.

For event organizers, the practical first step is to ask fair management about available dates, suitable facilities, insurance, parking, utilities, and any restrictions that apply to the proposed event.

History of Suwannee County Fairgrounds

The Suwannee County Fair Association describes the fair as a tradition that began more than 100 years ago. Its continuing focus on agriculture, youth education, food, art, and entertainment reflects the long-standing role of county fairs in North Florida community life.

Live Oak itself developed around a railroad junction in the nineteenth century. Rail connections helped establish the city as an important local center, and the county’s agricultural traditions remain visible through livestock shows and youth competitions held at the fairgrounds.

The annual fair has evolved beyond an agricultural exhibition into a gathering that combines livestock activities, commercial vendors, carnival rides, and community entertainment. Its volunteers and supporting organizations remain part of that tradition.

A complete verified timeline of the fairgrounds’ founding, building additions, attendance records, past cancellations, and major historical milestones is not established by the available information. Those details should be confirmed through the fair association or the Suwannee County Historical Commission rather than supplied as unverified history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Suwannee County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 Suwannee County Fair is scheduled for March 19–27, 2027, in Live Oak, Florida. Individual attraction times and any schedule changes should be confirmed before visiting.

What time does Suwannee County Fairgrounds open?

The published 2027 schedule lists the fair opening at 5:45 p.m. on many days, with the midway opening at 6 p.m. on several evenings. Special events may follow different hours.

Where is Suwannee County Fairgrounds located?

The address is 1302 11th Street SW, Live Oak, FL 32064, in Suwannee County, Florida.

Is parking free at Suwannee County Fairgrounds?

Yes. The fair association advertises free parking for the annual fair. Follow on-site signs and staff instructions for parking and any temporary traffic arrangements.

How do I enter livestock in the Suwannee County Fair?

Review the current livestock-entry instructions, eligibility rules, exhibitor calendar, and premium book. Confirm animal identification, health requirements, weigh-in procedures, and deadlines with the appropriate show organizers.

Are dogs allowed at Suwannee County Fairgrounds?

A general pet-admission policy is not confirmed here. Contact the fair association before bringing a dog, and ask about service animals, vaccination requirements, and any restrictions that apply to livestock areas.

Where do I park at Suwannee County Fairgrounds?

Follow the event signs and directions from parking attendants when approaching the grounds on 11th Street SW. Arrive early on busy evenings to allow time for parking and entry.

Who do I contact to rent Suwannee County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Suwannee County Fair Association at (386) 362-FAIR to ask about facility rental, event dates, availability, fees, and permitted uses.

How much does it cost to enter the Suwannee County Fair?

Admission prices can vary by year, day, and event. Confirm the 2027 gate admission, children’s pricing, any discounts, and ride packages with the fair association. Free parking does not necessarily mean free gate admission.

Is there camping at Suwannee County Fairgrounds?

Overnight camping and RV hookups are not confirmed in the available visitor information. Contact fair management before planning to stay overnight on the property.

What other events take place at the fairgrounds?

In addition to the annual county fair, the grounds host separately scheduled activities. The Live Oak Festival is advertised for February 27–28, 2027. Check individual event announcements for the latest schedule and admission details.

Does Suwannee County Fairgrounds have carnival rides?

Carnival rides and midway games are part of the annual Suwannee County Fair. The exact ride lineup, operating hours, and wristband offers may change from one year to the next.