Dale County Alabama Fairgrounds Events
If you’re searching for the Dale County Fairgrounds, start with one fact that most listing sites get wrong. Dale County, Alabama, runs its fair and its agricultural events from two different places, both in Ozark. The spring Dale County Fair, with its midway, rides, and vendors, has been held at the Ozark Civic Center. Livestock shows, rodeos, and 4-H activity happen at the Dale County AgPlex, a few minutes away on Alabama Highway 123. Knowing which one you need saves a wasted drive.
Overview of Dale County Fairgrounds
Where the grounds are
Ozark is the county seat of Dale County, and it has held that role since 1870 (the courthouse history lists Dale’s Court House and Newton before it). Both venues are in Ozark:
- Ozark Civic Center, 300 College Boulevard, where the annual Dale County Fair has been held. The fair’s Facebook page lists its fairground address as 320 College Street, so use the Civic Center’s address in your GPS and confirm on arrival.
- Dale County AgPlex (also written “Ag Plex” or “Ag Center”), 202 Alabama 123, Ozark, AL 36360. Event listings tie it to the Highway 231 corridor.
Who runs what
The fair itself is organized by a fair committee. When the fair opened in 2023, the fair’s president, Paul Marini, said it brings nonprofit vendors out to raise money and gives families a place to gather. The AgPlex rodeo side is handled by the Dale County Rodeo Association, and its president, Robert Dyson, called the South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic the single-largest event for the city. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System works with the AgPlex on youth and livestock programs. Officer names change, so ask the fair office who is currently in charge.
Why it matters locally
Dale County covers about 561 square miles of Gulf Coastal Plain and has the largest section of Fort Novosel, the Army’s primary flight-training base. Many families here have a military connection, and many others farm cattle, row crops, or timber. The fairgrounds are one of the few places where those two groups end up in the same line for a funnel cake.
I couldn’t find published figures for acreage, building count, or the founding year of either venue. They are left out here instead of guessed at.
Upcoming Events at Dale County Fairgrounds
What the calendar looks like
Looking at the past few years, the county’s fair and AgPlex events cluster in late winter and spring:
- Late winter: the Dale County Junior Beef Heifer & Steer Show (it was held at the AgPlex on February 17, 2024).
- Early March: the Dale County Sheriff’s PCA Rodeo, March 6–7, 2026 (performances at 7:30 pm), with a Youth Demonstration Day for third graders on March 5.
- Spring: the Dale County Fair at the Civic Center. The 2023 fair ran from a Tuesday through March 11, and in 2024 opening night was April 2 at 6 PM. wtvywiregrassdailynews
- April: the Hounds with Heart community car show, dog show, and fundraiser on April 11, 2026, held at the AgPlex arena and free to attend. aces
- Summer: Extension and 4-H programming at the Civic Center, such as the Auburn University Raptor Show on June 26, 2026, sponsored by Dale County Farmers Federation. aces
Where to find the current schedule
Check these in roughly this order:
- The fair’s official site, dalecountyfair.org, and its Facebook page (Dale County Fair, Ozark). The Facebook listing gives (334) 212-4777 and [email protected].
- The Dale County Extension event listings on aces.edu, which carry AgPlex events with contact names.
- The Ozark-Dale County Economic Development listings at odedc.com for community events.
As of this writing, I didn’t find 2027 fair dates published. Expect the committee to announce them closer to spring.
Visitors interested in Cullman County Alabama Fairgrounds Events can also explore community celebrations and seasonal activities in other parts of the state, including Dale County. From local fairs and agricultural exhibitions to family-friendly entertainment and community gatherings, Dale County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide another way to experience Alabama’s local culture and traditions. Exploring events in both counties helps visitors discover a wider variety of activities and plan enjoyable outings throughout the year.
Renting the grounds
The AgPlex arena hosts rodeos, a car show, and youth livestock shows, so it clearly takes outside events. I couldn’t find a posted rental rate sheet or application, so ask the Dale County Extension office or the rodeo association who handles AgPlex bookings. For the Civic Center, contact the City of Ozark.
The Dale County Fair Itself
What to expect
This is a midway-style fair, not a big agricultural exposition. The 2024 fair advertised more than 55 vendors, 20 rides, and carnival games and food. Most nights run on an evening schedule, opening around 6 PM, though the fair has also announced free admission windows on its Facebook page, so check there for specials.
Typical dates
The two reported fairs differ by about a month (early March in 2023, early April in 2024), so don’t assume the same week each year. For 2026 and 2027, I couldn’t confirm dates. Treat any page that states them without citing the fair itself with suspicion.
Admission and wristbands
The only published prices I found are from 2023: $3 for adults, $2 for children, and $18 for a handstamp (the ride wristband). Those are three years old. Confirm current pricing before you go.
Food and local nonprofits
Nonprofit groups work the fair and raise money there, according to the fair’s president. Beyond that, I haven’t found a documented list of food traditions, so ask a local before treating any specific stand as famous.
Competitions and entertainment
I found no published premium book for judged exhibits (crops, baking, photography) tied to the Civic Center fair. If you want to enter something, ask the fair office whether competitive categories exist this year.
Facilities and Grounds
Dale County AgPlex
The AgPlex has an arena where rodeo events with bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing are held. The county’s economic development site lists bull riding, team roping, barrel racing, calf roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and breakaway roping for the South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic. The rodeo has a week-long setup because of its size.
What isn’t documented
I couldn’t find public information on the number of livestock barns, stall rental procedures, grandstand capacity, RV hookups, camping, ADA features, or overflow parking at either venue. Call before you plan around any of these. If you’re hauling animals or trailers, ask specifically about stalling and where trailers park.
Vendor and Exhibitor Information
Commercial vendors
The fair draws a sizable vendor lineup (55+ in 2024). To apply, contact the fair committee through dalecountyfair.org or the Facebook page, since I couldn’t confirm a published application form or fee. Ask about electrical needs, booth sizes, and whether nonprofit booths are priced differently.
Rodeo contestants
For the Sheriff’s PCA Rodeo in 2026, entry details were posted on pcarodeo.com: books opened February 27 through March 1, the entry fee was $100 plus $20 in fees, and added money was $1,000 per event. The rodeo contractor was 3 R Rodeo Co. These details are for 2026 and will differ for other years. trip
Youth livestock exhibitors
For youth shows such as the junior beef heifer and steer show, Extension is the contact. In 2024, the contact was Rickey Hudson at (334) 726-6814. In 2026, event listings named Melissa Voynich at (334) 465-0784 ([email protected]). Staff change, so call the Dale County Extension office to be sure. acesaces
Getting to Dale County Fairgrounds
To the AgPlex
The AgPlex is on Alabama Highway 123 in Ozark, near the US-231 corridor that most traffic from Dothan and Troy uses. From the Dothan side, take US-231 north into Ozark. From Troy, take US-231 south. Confirm the final turn with your GPS using “202 AL-123, Ozark.”
To the Ozark Civic Center
Use “300 College Boulevard, Ozark, AL” and follow signs once you’re in town.
Rideshare and transit
I found no shuttle or public transit service for fair week. If you use a rideshare, tell the driver which venue you mean, since they’re in different parts of Ozark.
4-H and FFA at Dale County Fairgrounds
Extension’s role
The county Extension office anchors youth programming. Its staff coordinate events like the Junior Beef Heifer & Steer Show, exhibit at the Ozark Crawdad Festival to explain Extension programs and 4-H clubs, and help the sheriff’s rodeo with a Youth Demonstration Day for third graders. acesaces
Club and chapter counts
I couldn’t confirm the number of active 4-H clubs or which Dale County high schools participate in FFA at county events. The Dale County school system runs seven schools, plus Ozark City Schools, so ask Extension for the current list. encyclopediaofalabama
Junior livestock auction
I found no confirmed date or format for a Dale County junior livestock auction. Ask Extension whether one is planned and how bidding and proceeds work, rather than relying on a secondhand description.
Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair
- South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic: the Dale County Rodeo Association’s big annual event at the AgPlex arena.
- Dale County Sheriff’s PCA Rodeo: held in early March.
- Hounds with Heart: a free car show, dog show, and fundraiser with a live auction, silent auction, and ribeye concessions from the Cattlemen and 4-H.
- Claybank Jamboree Arts & Crafts Festival: listed by the county’s economic development office as a crafts and live-music festival.
- Ozark Crawdad Festival: a downtown festival (the 20th annual in 2026), separate from the fairgrounds but part of the same spring season. wdhn
I found nothing confirming gun shows, motocross, or concerts at either venue, so I haven’t listed them.
History of Dale County Fairgrounds
The Civic Center fair is relatively young. The 2023 edition was billed as the seventh annual. The AgPlex rodeo is older: one report called the Pro Rodeo Classic the 25th annual at the time of writing. I couldn’t find a published history of when the AgPlex was built, record attendance, or whether either event has ever been canceled. If you know the history, a call to the Dale County Historical Society (publisher of Claybank Memories) is the best place to confirm it. wtvywtvy
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Dale County Fair in 2026–2027?
The 2026 dates weren’t confirmed in my research, and 2027 dates hadn’t been published. Past fairs ran in March and April (March 7–11 in 2023; opening April 2 in 2024). Check dalecountyfair.org or the fair’s Facebook page.
Where is the Dale County Fair held?
At the Ozark Civic Center, 300 College Boulevard, Ozark, Alabama.
What time does the fair open?
In 2024, opening night started at 6 PM. Hours vary by night, so check the fair’s page for the current schedule.
How much does it cost to get into the Dale County Fair?
In 2023, admission was $3 for adults and $2 for children, with $18 handstamps for rides. Current prices may differ.
Is there camping at the Dale County fairgrounds?
I couldn’t confirm any camping or RV hookups at the AgPlex or Civic Center. Call before bringing a camper.
How do I enter livestock or youth projects in a Dale County show?
Contact the Dale County Extension office. Youth livestock shows like the junior beef heifer and steer show are coordinated through Extension.
How do I enter the rodeo?
Rodeo entries go through the sanctioning body. For the 2026 Sheriff’s PCA Rodeo, entries were taken online through pcarodeo.com.
Who do I contact to rent the AgPlex?
I couldn’t find a posted rental process. Start with the Dale County Extension office or the Dale County Rodeo Association.
Are dogs allowed?
No pet policy was published that I could find, and service-animal rules apply regardless. Ask the venue before bringing pets (one local event, Hounds with Heart, is dog-focused but is a specific event with its own rules).
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