Dallas County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events

Dallas County is the fourth-least populous county in Arkansas, with 6,482 people at the 2020 Census. It still puts on a full county fair every September in Fordyce, the county seat. Fordyce is also where the county’s other big community event, the Cotton Belt Festival, takes place each spring. If you searched for the Dallas County fair, this page covers where it is, when it usually happens, and how to enter or set up.

Overview of Dallas County Fairgrounds

Location and who runs it

The Dallas County Fairgrounds are at 200 S Walnut St, Fordyce, AR 71742. An older event listing placed the fairgrounds on Main Street, so confirm the entrance with the fair board before you drive in for the first time.

The fair is run by the Dallas County Fair Association. Its registration rules say the association has the final word on interpreting fair rules and can amend them at any time. The county Extension office handles sign-up help (see below).

I could not confirm acreage, number of buildings, or the year the fairgrounds opened. An old fair website described the 2013 fair as the county’s first official amusement fair with a concert, which suggests the current format is fairly recent. I wouldn’t print a founding year without asking the fair board.

Why it matters locally

Dallas County was formed January 1, 1845 as Arkansas’s 49th county and named for George M. Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States. Fordyce was founded in 1882 and grew around the logging industry and the Cotton Belt Railroad. The 1911 courthouse at Third and Oak Streets is on the National Register of Historic Places. With a population this small, a fair week is one of the few times a large share of the county is in one place.

Upcoming Events at Dallas County Fairgrounds

The fair

Published dates for recent years:

• 2024: September 10–14. Coverage that week noted the fair went ahead rain or shine, with the parade moved to Friday because of weather.
• 2025: September 6–14.
• 2026: September 12–19. This has already happened.
• 2027: A regional tourism calendar lists September 5–12, 2027, but it lists the identical dates for 2028, which looks like a placeholder. Treat 2027 as unconfirmed.

Based on three recent years, expect a September fair spanning about a week, with the exact dates announced late summer.

Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival

This is the town’s other flagship event. It ran April 19–26, 2026 and is a week-long festival centered downtown at the courthouse square on Oak Street. The 2027 version is listed for April 18–25, featuring a parade, a 5K, live entertainment, a car show, vendors, and family activities. Because the same listing format shows up for other years, confirm dates with the festival before planning around them.

Veterans ceremony

Fordyce holds a Veterans Day ceremony at Peace Park, 221 North Main Street, scheduled for the Sunday before Veterans Day.

Visitors interested in Dallas County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also explore seasonal activities through Cross County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events. Both counties provide opportunities to discover local heritage, enjoy community gatherings, and find celebrations for families and visitors.

Finding current schedules

• The fair’s registration page and Facebook page for exhibitor deadlines and the fair book.
• The Dallas County Extension office at 870-352-3505.
• The festival’s own Facebook page for Cotton Belt Festival updates.

The County Fair Itself

Fair listings and local coverage mention a full week of livestock shows, midway rides, pageants, live entertainment, food vendors, and family activities. A listing for the 2024 fair also mentions agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, a circus show, a magic show, commercial vendors, a concert, face painting, and a fair queen. I could not verify the 2026 lineup, the carnival company, ride count, wristband pricing, or admission, so I haven’t listed any of those.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Entering exhibits and livestock

Dallas County runs its entries through an online registration system. For 2026, registration opened August 1 and closed September 17. Several rules are worth knowing:

• Out-of-county exhibitors are allowed. They must agree not to enter other county fairs.
• Conduct rules apply to everyone. No running, horseplay, arguing, or stealing. Violators can lose entry privileges, prizes, and monetary awards.
• Entry means photo consent. Entering gives the fair permission to share basic information and photos for publicity.
• Loss and damage. The fair takes care of property in its possession but is not responsible for accidental loss or damage.
• Help is available. The Extension office says it offers help sessions and in-person sign-up days. Call 870-352-3505 to set up a time.

The 2026 fair book and class lists are posted with the registration. I couldn’t see the specific livestock species or the premium amounts, so check the fair book.

Commercial vendors

I found no public vendor application. Contact the fair board or Extension office to ask about booth space and fees.

Facilities and Grounds

I could not verify barn counts, an arena or grandstand, camping or RV hookups, ADA details, or parking capacity. Coverage mentions livestock shows and a parade, so livestock facilities exist, but ask the fair board for specifics.

Getting to the Fairgrounds

Fordyce is the Dallas County seat, in the southeastern part of the county. From downtown, the courthouse is at Third and Oak Streets, and the fairgrounds are on S Walnut Street. I couldn’t confirm which state and U.S. highways to recommend for approach from Camden, Pine Bluff, or Little Rock, so use a mapping app. I found no shuttle or rideshare information.

4-H and FFA

The Extension office is the local contact for fair entry help and 4-H questions at 870-352-3505. I couldn’t verify club counts, which FFA chapters exhibit, or how a junior livestock auction works in Dallas County.

History

The documented pieces are modest. The county dates to 1845, Fordyce to 1882, and the courthouse to 1911. The fair board’s own site describes the 2013 fair as a first official amusement fair with a concert. Cancellation history is not documented anywhere I found. Check with the fair board or the local newspaper’s archives before making historical claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Dallas County Fair in 2027?
Not confirmed. A regional calendar lists September 5–12, 2027, but the listing looks like a placeholder. Recent fairs ran September 10–14, 2024, September 6–14, 2025, and September 12–19, 2026.

Where is the Dallas County Fairgrounds?
200 S Walnut St, Fordyce, AR 71742.

How do I enter livestock or exhibits?
Register online through the fair’s entry system. In 2026 registration ran August 1 through September 17. Call the Extension office at 870-352-3505 for help.

Can I enter if I live in another county?
Yes, but you must agree not to enter other county fairs.

How much does it cost to get in?
I couldn’t find published gate or parking prices. Check the fair’s Facebook page near the fair dates.

What time does the fair open?
Hours weren’t published. The schedule comes out with the fair book.

Is there camping or are dogs allowed?
I couldn’t confirm either. Ask the fair board or Extension office.

What else happens in Fordyce each year?
The Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival each April, with a parade, 5K, car show, live entertainment, and vendors.