Crawford County Kansas Fairgrounds Events

The Crawford County Fairgrounds in Girard, Kansas, serve as a gathering place for agricultural exhibitions, youth competitions, livestock shows, rodeo entertainment, and summer community events. The annual Crawford County Fair brings together 4-H members, agricultural families, local organizations, exhibitors, and visitors from across southeastern Kansas.

The grounds are located along Kansas Highway 47 near Girard, the Crawford County seat. Livestock competitions and educational exhibits remain important parts of the fair, while rodeos, bull-riding entertainment, demolition derbies, and truck and tractor pulls add to the event calendar.

Overview of Crawford County Fairgrounds

Location and setting

The Crawford County Fairgrounds are associated with the Crawford County Fair Association at 249 East Highway 47, Girard, Kansas 66743. Kansas Highway 47 provides the principal approach to the grounds. Visitors should confirm the address with the fair association before traveling because some event listings display a different street-number format.

Girard is a practical starting point for visitors traveling from Pittsburg, Frontenac, Arma, Cherokee, and other communities in Crawford County. The fairgrounds provide space for agricultural exhibits, animal housing, outdoor entertainment, and organized community activities.

Who operates the fairgrounds?

The Crawford County Fair Association organizes the annual fair and coordinates associated entertainment, exhibitors, vendors, and volunteers. Kansas State University Extension’s Wildcat District supports the county’s 4-H program and publishes fair information, entry instructions, and educational resources.

The fair is more than a summer entertainment event. It provides young people with opportunities to demonstrate agricultural knowledge, animal care, craftsmanship, cooking, and other practical skills. For Crawford County families, these competitions connect local education with the region’s agricultural traditions.

Agricultural and community importance

Crawford County’s combination of livestock competitions, youth exhibits, and public entertainment makes the fair a meeting point for rural and urban residents. Families can watch animal judging, explore exhibits prepared by young competitors, and attend evening attractions without treating the fair solely as a commercial amusement event.

Exact acreage, total parking capacity, and the complete number of permanent buildings are not consistently established in the available public information, so those details should be confirmed with the association rather than estimated.

Upcoming Events at Crawford County Fairgrounds

Events to look for during the year

The main annual attraction is the Crawford County Fair, but the association also hosts separate motorsport and entertainment events. The established event program includes livestock shows, rodeo entertainment, Bull Bash, demolition derby attractions, and a truck and tractor pull.

The 2027 Crawford County Fair is scheduled for July 28–31, 2027, in Girard. Visitors planning around a particular competition should check the published daily schedule because livestock check-in, judging, arena performances, and evening entertainment may occur on different days.

Other activities to look for include:

• Youth livestock and showmanship competitions.
• Open-class exhibits and agricultural displays.
• Rodeo and bull-riding entertainment.
• Demolition derby events.
• Truck and tractor pulls.
• Food concessions and craft vendor areas.
• Community activities organized by local clubs and volunteers.

These are documented fair-related activities, not a guarantee that every attraction will appear at every event. Separate events may have their own admission charges and schedules.

Spring, summer, and fall activities

Spring is an important preparation period for Crawford County 4-H families. Livestock identification, project planning, entry preparation, and educational activities take place before the summer fair.

Late July is the main fair season. The fairgrounds become a destination for youth exhibitors, livestock families, spectators, and people attending the outdoor entertainment program.

The grounds may also accommodate community functions outside fair week. Anyone interested in booking an event should contact the Crawford County Fair Association to confirm which facilities are available, the rental terms, and whether insurance or other requirements apply.

The Crawford County County Fair

2027 Fair Dates: July 28–31, 2027

The Crawford County Fair is a recurring summer event centered on agriculture, youth participation, and outdoor entertainment. Its published 2027 dates make late July the best planning window for visitors who want to experience the fair in Girard.

Livestock, exhibits, and judging

Livestock competitions are a central part of the fair’s educational purpose. Crawford County 4-H resources cover animal projects and preparation for showing beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, horses, and other eligible projects.

Exhibitors should consult the current fair book for the exact classes offered in each division. Rules can specify animal identification, health documentation, check-in times, age eligibility, showmanship requirements, and whether an animal qualifies for a market class.

Non-livestock exhibits also provide opportunities for young people and other eligible exhibitors. Depending on the published classes, entries may include foods, clothing and textiles, photography, horticulture, crafts, and technology-related projects. The current fair book is the appropriate source for determining which categories are open in a particular year.

Carnival, food, and entertainment

Rodeo attractions, Bull Bash, demolition derby entertainment, and truck and tractor pulls are among the recognizable features of the Crawford County Fair Association’s event program.

A traveling carnival, the total number of rides, wristband packages, and ride operating hours should not be assumed without a current announcement. Families planning around midway attractions should confirm the operator, prices, and age or height restrictions before arriving.

Fair concessions and vendor areas provide opportunities to buy food and refreshments while supporting event vendors and community participants. Specific food stands, nonprofit operators, and special menu items can change from year to year.

Admission, parking, and family planning

Admission is event-specific. For example, the association has advertised a separate 2026 truck and tractor pull with adult tickets at $10, tickets of $5 for children ages 6–11, and free entry for children ages 0–5. Those prices apply to that advertised event and should not be treated as the admission policy for the 2027 county fair.

The 2027 daily admission rates, ride wristbands, parking charges, and any senior discounts or season passes should be checked when the new information becomes available. Arriving early can help visitors allow time for parking, locating livestock barns, and reaching scheduled arena events.

Facilities and Grounds

Exhibition buildings and animal facilities

The grounds accommodate agricultural exhibits, livestock activities, and outdoor entertainment. The exact current number of exhibition buildings, species-specific barns, and available indoor stalls has not been established in the published information reviewed for this article.

Discover Crawford County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for information about county fair schedules livestock exhibitions agricultural displays and family activities. Visitors can also explore Cowley County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for additional Kansas fairground details.

Exhibitors should ask the fair office or Extension staff about assigned stalls and pens, bedding requirements, animal check-in procedures, feed and water arrangements, and access times. Livestock exhibitors should not assume that arriving at the grounds automatically guarantees a particular stall.

Arena and outdoor event areas

The fair association’s rodeo, Bull Bash, demolition derby, and truck and tractor pull programming requires designated event areas suitable for spectators and participants. The precise seating capacity and current arena configuration should be confirmed with the association rather than estimated.

Outdoor events can be affected by weather, ground conditions, and schedule changes. Visitors should check event-day announcements before setting out from Pittsburg or other nearby communities.

Parking, accessibility, and amenities

Visitors should follow posted parking instructions and directions from event staff. Overflow parking arrangements, accessible parking locations, restroom accessibility, paved routes, first-aid provisions, and concessions should be confirmed for the particular event.

The availability of RV hookups, overnight camping, public Wi-Fi, ATMs, and dedicated shuttle services has not been reliably established here. Contact the fair association before bringing an RV or making plans that depend on overnight facilities.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Applying for a commercial booth

The fairgrounds provide opportunities for food sellers, craft vendors, and other commercial participants during designated events. Vendor spaces and rules can vary between the annual fair and separate attractions such as the truck and tractor pull.

Prospective vendors should ask the association about:

• Booth availability and rental costs.
• Application deadlines and payment arrangements.
• Electricity, water, and equipment requirements.
• Food-service permits and applicable health regulations.
• Liability insurance and safety requirements.
• Setup, teardown, vehicle access, and operating hours.

Submitting an inquiry early is sensible, particularly for food vendors and businesses that need power or special equipment. A booth should not be considered reserved until the organizer confirms the booking.

Entering competitive exhibits

Youth exhibitors should obtain the current Crawford County 4-H and Open Class Fair Book. It provides the class descriptions and rules needed to prepare entries correctly.

The online FairEntry system is used for Crawford County 4-H fair entries. Registration windows and deadlines are announced annually, so entrants should not rely on a previous year’s dates. Open-class exhibitors should confirm whether their intended categories use the same registration process as 4-H projects.

For assistance, contact the Wildcat Extension District office in Girard at 620-724-8233, or visit 120 East Buffalo Street, Girard, Kansas 66743.

Getting to Crawford County Fairgrounds

Driving from Girard and nearby cities

The fairgrounds are located along Kansas Highway 47 near Girard. Visitors already in Girard can follow local directions toward Highway 47 and the fairground entrance. Because street-number formats differ across some listings, confirming the entrance location before traveling is advisable.

From Pittsburg, the largest nearby city in Crawford County, drivers can travel toward Girard using the regional highway network and follow signs or navigation directions to Highway 47. Visitors from Frontenac, Arma, Cherokee, and surrounding communities should check their route before fair week, when event traffic may increase.

Public transportation and rideshare

Regular public transportation or dedicated fair-week shuttles have not been confirmed. Visitors relying on rideshare services should arrange a drop-off and pickup point with the driver and follow any event-specific traffic instructions. Do not assume vehicles can wait at the entrance or enter restricted event areas.

4-H and FFA at Crawford County Fairgrounds

Youth education and county extension support

Crawford County 4-H is administered through the Wildcat Extension District, which also serves Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson counties. The program helps young people develop skills in agriculture, animal care, leadership, science, communication, and practical project work.

Several Crawford County clubs meet in Girard and surrounding communities. These include Bone Creek, Farlington Best-Yet, Happy Hustlers, Hepler Hustlers, Jolly Sunflowers, Lucky Riders, Success Express, Walnut Wonder Workers, and Win or Bust. Meeting locations and times vary by club.

FFA participation and eligibility for particular fair divisions should be confirmed through the relevant school and the current fair book rather than assumed for every local chapter.

Junior livestock competitions and sales

Livestock projects allow youth exhibitors to demonstrate their knowledge of feeding, animal health, handling, recordkeeping, and showmanship. Entry requirements can include animal identification deadlines, required documentation, weigh-in procedures, and class-specific rules.

A junior livestock sale, when included in the current program, gives buyers an opportunity to support participating youth and recognize their work. Sale eligibility, the order of sale, bidding procedures, payment arrangements, and how proceeds are distributed depend on the published rules. Prospective buyers should obtain details from the fair organizers before sale day.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The Crawford County Fair Association’s advertised program extends beyond livestock judging and traditional exhibits.

• Truck and tractor pulls: A separate event format featuring competing vehicles, with its own admission arrangements and schedule.
• Rodeo entertainment: A featured part of the association’s fair programming.
• Bull Bash: An additional attraction listed among the fair association’s recurring event offerings.
• Demolition derby: Motorized entertainment that can draw spectators from throughout southeastern Kansas.
• Food and craft vendors: Vendor opportunities that may accompany selected events.
• Community gatherings: Potential uses of the grounds outside fair week, subject to rental approval.

Do not assume that gun shows, motocross, ATV competitions, flea markets, or holiday festivals are regular Crawford County Fairgrounds events without a specific announcement. The association can confirm which outside events are scheduled and whether tickets or advance registration are required.

History of Crawford County Fairgrounds

The Crawford County Fair has a continuing place in the agricultural and community life of southeastern Kansas. Its history is tied to the development of organized livestock exhibitions, youth agricultural education, and public entertainment in the county.

Over time, the event has combined traditional fair activities with attractions designed for broader audiences. Livestock judging and 4-H projects preserve its educational role, while rodeo entertainment, demolition derbies, and vehicle pulls provide additional reasons for people to attend.

The current association identifies the fairgrounds at Highway 47 in Girard as its operating location. Detailed claims about the property’s founding year, original acreage, major renovations, record attendance, or historical cancellations should be checked against association records before being presented as established facts.

For visitors, the most important distinction is between the long-running county fair and the separate events that use the grounds. Each may have different organizers, admission policies, and operating arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Crawford County Fair in Kansas in 2027?

The Crawford County Fair is scheduled for July 28–31, 2027, in Girard, Kansas. Visitors should check the event schedule for daily livestock competitions and entertainment times.

What time does Crawford County Fairgrounds open?

Opening hours depend on the event and the day’s schedule. Check the published program before visiting, particularly if you plan to attend an early livestock show or an evening performance.

Is there camping at Crawford County Fairgrounds?

Overnight camping and RV hookup availability have not been confirmed. Contact the Crawford County Fair Association before making camping plans.

How do I enter livestock in the Crawford County County Fair?

Obtain the current Crawford County 4-H and Open Class Fair Book and follow its entry, identification, health-documentation, and check-in requirements. The Wildcat Extension District’s Girard office can help at 620-724-8233.

Are dogs allowed at Crawford County Fairgrounds?

A current general pet policy has not been confirmed. Contact the organizers before bringing a dog, and check any service-animal, animal-exhibit, and event-specific restrictions.

Where do I park at Crawford County Fairgrounds?

Follow posted signs and directions from event staff. Ask the association about accessible parking and overflow arrangements if you have mobility needs or are attending a major evening event.

Who do I contact to rent Crawford County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Crawford County Fair Association at its Girard location to ask about facility rental, availability, fees, and event requirements. Approval should be obtained before advertising a planned event.

How much does it cost to attend the Crawford County Fair?

Admission depends on the event and the published ticket policy. The association has advertised separate ticket prices for its truck and tractor pull, but those prices should not be treated as the admission rates for the 2027 county fair.

What activities are available for children?

Children may enjoy livestock exhibits, youth project displays, and scheduled family entertainment. Ride availability and age or height restrictions should be confirmed if carnival attractions are announced.

Can local businesses sell products at the fair?

Commercial vendors can inquire about booth opportunities for designated events. Availability, rental fees, food-service requirements, electricity, insurance, and application deadlines must be confirmed with the association.

Where can I get the Crawford County Fair schedule?

The Crawford County Fair Association publishes fair announcements, while the Wildcat Extension District provides 4-H resources, entry information, and fair-book materials. Consult the latest announcements for changes to dates, times, and participation rules.