Baldwin County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

The Baldwin County Fairgrounds sit on Fairground Road in Robertsdale, in the farm country of north-central Baldwin County. Most people know the place for one week every September, when the Baldwin County Fair fills the lot with midway lights. The grounds also include a large coliseum and a separate arena that the City of Robertsdale rents out the rest of the year. This guide covers both sides: the fair itself and the venue behind it.

Overview of Baldwin County Fairgrounds

Address: 19477 Fairground Road, Robertsdale, AL 36567.

Robertsdale is a small city in the northern half of Baldwin County, sitting where U.S. 90 meets Alabama 59. It is the agricultural hub of a county better known for its beaches. The fairgrounds are inside the city, not out in an unincorporated stretch.

The property has two layers of ownership, and that matters if you are trying to book space or find out who to call:

• The Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association is the nonprofit that organizes and runs the annual county fair. Sonny Hankins has managed the fair since 2004, according to a 2026 resolution of the Alabama Legislature, which describes it as managed by A.B. and Melinda Hankins and operated by the association.
• The City of Robertsdale owns and operates the Baldwin County Coliseum and Arena and rents them to the public. The city’s website lists the coliseum under its own rental program.

Size is reported differently depending on the source. A Fox10 report from 2022 called it a 50-acre fairgrounds, while news coverage of the land dispute (covered below) describes roughly 40 acres belonging to the association along Fairground Road and Pearson Street. The likely explanation is that the figures count different parcels, but I could not confirm that, so treat both numbers as approximate.

The main building is the coliseum. Alabama’s state tourism site describes a 200-by-200-foot expo hall with an open two-story ceiling, offices and a kitchen along the sides, and large walk-in coolers for bulk food storage. It also serves as a storm shelter with a stated capacity of 5,000 people. The city’s rental contract lists a building capacity of 3,000 for events, which is the number that applies to ticketed gatherings.

The Baldwin County Fair

The annual event is simply called the Baldwin County Fair. It runs five days, Tuesday through Saturday, in late September.

2026 fair (the 75th year): The fair ran from Tuesday, September 22 through Saturday, September 26, 2026.

• Tuesday through Thursday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friday: 5 p.m. until 1 a.m.
• Saturday: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Admission: $10 for most visitors. Seniors, veterans, and children under 12 got in free.

2027 fair: Judging by the pattern of recent years, expect a Tuesday-through-Saturday run in the second half of September. Check the fair’s official website or Facebook page for the confirmed dates, which are usually posted in the summer.

When exploring local fairs, festivals, and community gatherings, Baldwin County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide useful information about activities and attractions in the area, while those interested in similar events can also explore Autauga County Alabama Fairgrounds Events for fairs, exhibitions, livestock shows, and other community activities.

The midway

Arnold Amusements has run the midway for more than ten years. In 2026 the company added three rides: a rocking tub, a ride called Dizzy Dragon, and a set of small farm tractors painted in different themes, bringing the total to 35 rides. Arnold’s rep described the fair as a package where the rides, food, and games work together so that people have something to do even if they are only there to walk around and look at the lights.

Pricing has changed over the years. In 2018 the fair sold a $15 pay-one-price ticket Tuesday through Thursday that covered the rides, while Friday and Saturday admission was $8 with rides charged separately. By 2026 the gate price was $10. Whether rides are included in the $10 or sold separately is something to check on the fair’s site before you go, because the reporting I found does not say.

Food

The fair manager has said plainly what people come for: candied apples, cotton candy, fried Oreos, and the rest of the standard midway menu. This is not a meat-and-three event. Chicken on a stick and cotton candy have been named in past coverage as expected staples.

Competitions and exhibits

The 2026 competitions, including baking and floral categories, were held inside the convention center on the grounds. The 2026 legislative resolution also mentions exhibit categories such as horticulture and photography. A full list of categories, entry rules, and deadlines would be in the fair’s premium book. I could not find a published copy, so ask the fair office.

Animals and other attractions

The arena hosts a petting zoo during fair week. The 2026 lineup included camels, antelope, snakes, and a baby kangaroo. In 2022 the fair brought in an interactive white Bengal tiger exhibit, which organizers said they had been pursuing for several years. Past coverage also mentions pony rides and live music. A livestock show on the Saturday of fair week has been part of the schedule in some past years.

Parking

Parking on the grounds has been described as free in news coverage from earlier years, and 2018’s coverage specifically listed it as a perk. I did not find a 2026 statement either way, so confirm before you go.

Upcoming Events at Baldwin County Fairgrounds

Outside fair week, the coliseum and arena are available for rent, and events come through on whatever schedule the renters set. The sources I checked did not show a single consolidated calendar, and third-party ticketing sites list the venue with no events, so do not rely on them.

The city’s arena rental contract names the types of events it expects: ticketed events, special events, concerts, circuses, and rodeos. A past example is Rockabilly Bama Lama, a three-day event in late June and early July 2023 that included 150-plus vendors, a vintage car and motorcycle show, dance contests, and a pin-up pageant. It listed the coliseum, arena, and fairgrounds as its location.

How to find what is coming up:

• Check the Baldwin County Fair’s official website and Facebook page for fair-week details.
• Check the City of Robertsdale’s website for coliseum and arena bookings.
• Search the organizer’s name directly. Private promoters usually announce on their own pages, not the venue’s.

Facilities and Grounds

What I can confirm from published sources:

• Baldwin County Coliseum: a 200 by 200 foot expo hall, with offices and a kitchen. Reported as a 5,000-person storm shelter. Contract capacity of 3,000 for events.
• Arena: an outdoor arena used for the fair’s petting zoo and rented separately for rodeos and similar events.
• Convention center: used for fair competitions such as baking and floral entries.
• Alcohol: the city’s rental contract restricts alcohol consumption outside the coliseum premises.

What I could not confirm, and what you should ask the venue about: the number of livestock barns and stalls, ADA parking and pathway details, RV or camping hookups, ATM and first aid locations, and overflow parking. If you have a specific need, such as bringing a trailer or a wheelchair, call ahead and ask the day before.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors at the fair: The association works with Arnold Amusements for the midway. Food and game booths during fair week run through the fair’s management, so contact the fair office. I could not locate a published application page, so ask for the current vendor packet.

Vendors at other events: Each promoter runs its own application. For a show at the coliseum, go to the event’s organizer.

Competitive exhibits: Entries for baking, floral, horticulture, photography, and similar categories go through the fair. Ask the fair office for the current premium book and deadlines.

To rent the building: The city lists the contact for coliseum scheduling as Stephanie Kroll at (251) 947-2360. The contract lists a rate of $500 per day for ticketed events, special events, concerts, circuses, and rodeos, but that figure is from a 2022 contract, so ask for the current rate sheet.

Getting to Baldwin County Fairgrounds

The fairgrounds are at 19477 Fairground Road in Robertsdale. Put the address into your GPS, since county roads in this part of Baldwin can be confusing.

• From the north (Bay Minette): Take Alabama 59 south to Robertsdale. You will pass under I-10 on the way.
• From the south (Foley, Gulf Shores): Take Alabama 59 north into Robertsdale.
• From Mobile or the west: U.S. 90 east brings you into Robertsdale, or use I-10 east to the Alabama 59 exit and head south.
• From Pensacola or the east: U.S. 90 and Alabama 59 are the usual routes. Expect two-lane stretches.

I found no public shuttle or transit service to the fair. Rideshare pickup and drop-off for fair week is not documented anywhere I could find, so plan on driving.

4-H and FFA

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System runs 4-H in Baldwin County. FFA chapters operate through local high schools. I did not find published figures for the number of active clubs or chapters, and the sources I found did not describe a junior livestock auction at the Baldwin County Fair, including when it is held, who bids, and where proceeds go. Because those details matter to families, call the fair office or the county Extension office to get the current program.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The coliseum hosts events such as the Rockabilly Bama Lama festival, and the arena’s rental terms point to rodeos and circuses as expected uses. I did not find confirmed recurring gun shows, swap meets, or motocross events at this venue. If you see one advertised, verify it with the promoter and the venue.

History of Baldwin County Fairgrounds

Per the 2026 legislative resolution, the Baldwin County Fair was established in 1948. It grew out of a gathering of local farmers who organized as the Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association to create a central venue for the annual county fair.

The first home was on Palmer Street in Robertsdale, on land leased for 99 years. The original buildings there served as the fair’s home starting in 1950. In February 2008, the fair moved to its current location at the Baldwin County Coliseum and Fairgrounds. (WKRG reported the site as home to the fair since 2007, so the move seems to have been underway across those two years.)

Managers have described the fair as one of the oldest in Alabama. In 2022 Sonny Hankins said it was the oldest fair in the state in the same location, and an earlier interview called it the second oldest in Alabama. Those are the manager’s claims, not an independent ranking.

The land dispute

The grounds have been in a legal fight. The City of Robertsdale has pursued eminent domain over the roughly 40 acres owned by the association on Fairground Road and Pearson Street. The city’s mayor said it wants to build a recreational park while still letting the association use the site for the fair each year. The association’s attorney, Bill Baxley, said the group would not sell and would fight the case as far as needed.

Court filings reported by 1819 News describe a longer background. In 2005 the county commission committed to payments for the association’s coliseum project, with the property to be conveyed to the county. In 2022, the coliseum was sold to Robertsdale, with an agreement that the fair could continue on the property. The association has sued the city over how fair money was handled, and says the 2023 fair had to find another location because it could not access the coliseum for setup and teardown. That is the association’s account in court filings and I could not verify it independently.

The 2026 fair did go ahead on the fairgrounds, as the 75th. I could not confirm the current status of the case, so check recent local news before assuming anything about future years.

I could not find information on whether the fair was canceled in 2020 or how it handled pandemic years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Baldwin County Fair in 2026-2027?

The 2026 fair ran September 22 through 26. The 2027 dates were not published when checked. The fair has typically run Tuesday through Saturday in the second half of September.

What time does Baldwin County Fairgrounds open?

During the 2026 fair, gates opened at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Closing was 11 p.m., except Friday, when the fair stayed open until 1 a.m. Outside fair week, hours depend on the event.

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

In 2026, admission was $10. Seniors, veterans, and children under 12 were free. Prices have changed over the years, so confirm before you go.

Is there camping at Baldwin County Fairgrounds?

Found no published information on camping or RV hookups at the grounds. Ask the City of Robertsdale or the fair office.

How do I enter livestock in the Baldwin County Fair?

Contact the fair office for the current entry rules and deadlines. Livestock entries have not been described in the sources found, so do not assume a particular process.

Are dogs allowed at Baldwin County Fairgrounds?

No policy was posted in anything found. Call ahead. Most fairs with a petting zoo and livestock exhibits restrict pets, but that is not confirmed for this one.

Where do I park at Baldwin County Fairgrounds?

Parking is on the fairgrounds at 19477 Fairground Road. Earlier fair coverage described parking as free. Confirm current parking details with the fair.

Who do I contact to rent Baldwin County Fairgrounds?

The coliseum and arena are owned and operated by the City of Robertsdale. For scheduling, the city’s site lists Stephanie Kroll at (251) 947-2360.

Who runs the Baldwin County Fair?

The Baldwin County Cattle & Fair Association organizes it. Arnold Amusements provides the midway.

When was the Baldwin County Fair founded?

The fair was established in 1948 and held its 75th year in 2026.