DeKalb County Indiana Fairgrounds Events

The DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Auburn, Indiana, serve as a gathering place for agricultural exhibitions, youth competitions, community entertainment, and the annual DeKalb County Free Fall Fair. Located at 708 South Union Street, Auburn, IN 46706, the grounds are operated by the DeKalb County Fair Association.

Unlike county fairs that concentrate their activities into a single summer week, DeKalb County’s signature fair takes place in late September and early October. Its combination of livestock shows, exhibition halls, horse events, a carnival, live entertainment, and community traditions makes it an important annual event for residents of Auburn and surrounding communities.

The grounds include facilities for livestock exhibitions, indoor exhibits, horse-related activities, and larger public gatherings. Middaugh Hall and the show arena are among the facilities available for events and rentals. Exact acreage, total building counts, and overall parking capacity are not confirmed in the published information available for this guide.

The fair also has a strong connection to agricultural education. DeKalb County 4-H members prepare animal and non-animal projects throughout the year before presenting their work during the summer judging sessions and fall fair.

Upcoming Events at DeKalb County Fairgrounds

The 2026 DeKalb County Fair Schedule

The 2026 DeKalb County Free Fall Fair is scheduled for September 28 through October 3, 2026. The official schedule includes livestock judging, creative and agricultural exhibits, horse events, a carnival, a livestock auction, a parade, and live music.

The published 2026 program identifies several major activities:

• September 28: Opening-day activities, 4-H rabbit and sheep shows, horse events, the carnival, and the Miss DeKalb County Queen festivities.
• September 29–October 1: Additional livestock competitions, including swine, poultry, beef, dairy, and goat shows, alongside open exhibition halls.
• October 2: Children’s activities, the 4-H livestock auction, horse events, and scheduled live entertainment.
• October 3: The Grand Finale Parade, additional 4-H activities, showmanship competitions, and evening entertainment.

These dates refer to the 2026 event. Visitors planning for 2027 should confirm the next schedule when it is announced rather than assuming the same dates or performers will return.

Other Events Throughout the Year

The fairgrounds are not limited to fair week. The DeKalb County Fair Association offers facilities for conventions, auctions, private gatherings, and other organized events.

Depending on the calendar, visitors and local organizations may find agricultural activities, horse shows, exhibitions, meetings, and community gatherings. Specific dates for flea markets, swap meets, rodeos, demolition derbies, gun shows, or motocross events should be confirmed individually; they should not be assumed to be recurring events without an announced schedule.

The best way to plan a visit is to check the current fair program or contact the fair office directly.

The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair

When Is the DeKalb County Fair Held?

The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair traditionally begins on the fourth Monday of September. For 2026, the scheduled dates are September 28–October 3. The event is known locally as a free fair and is promoted under the community theme “America’s Family Reunion.”

One detail matters when planning a visit: the fairgrounds host the agricultural and 4-H portions of the event, while certain carnival and downtown activities take place elsewhere in Auburn. Visitors should check the daily program to confirm where each activity is held.

Livestock Shows and Agricultural Exhibits

Agriculture remains central to the DeKalb County fair experience. The 2026 program includes competitions and exhibitions involving:

• Beef cattle and dairy animals
• Swine and sheep
• Goats
• Poultry and rabbits
• Dairy feeders and dairy steers
• Crops and horticultural exhibits
• Draft horses, draft ponies, and mules

The exhibition halls also accommodate creative and domestic arts, culinary projects, canned and baked goods, fine arts, floral displays, hobbies, photography, antiques, and other entries.

These exhibits allow residents to see the results of months of preparation by local exhibitors. For 4-H members, the fair is an opportunity to demonstrate practical skills, animal care, recordkeeping, and project knowledge.

Carnival, Food, and Entertainment

The annual fair includes a carnival midway, scheduled live music, horse-related entertainment, parades, and activities for children. The 2026 program lists daily carnival activities, a Miss DeKalb County Queen pageant, a pet parade, a mini horse pull, and a garden tractor pull.

Food vendors and community concession stands are part of the fair atmosphere. Visitors can expect to find fair-style refreshments and food options, although the exact vendor list and menus can vary from year to year.

The published program identifies the fair as a free-admission event. That does not necessarily mean every ride, food purchase, merchandise item, or separately organized activity is free. Confirm carnival pricing and any special ticket arrangements before attending.

Facilities and Grounds

The DeKalb County Fairgrounds contain several purpose-built spaces for exhibitions, livestock, equestrian activities, and public events.

Find information about DeKalb County, Indiana Fairgrounds Events, including community celebrations, agricultural displays, livestock shows, and local fair schedules. You can also explore Daviess County Indiana Fairgrounds Events.

Exhibition Buildings and Livestock Areas

Middaugh Hall is used for indoor activities and can be rented for qualifying events. The grounds also have an exhibition hall, livestock show facilities, a poultry and rabbit barn, and designated areas for different animal competitions.

The 2026 fair schedule specifically identifies a draft pony barn, draft horse barn, dairy barn, horse arena, and 4-H show barn. These spaces allow different competitions to run throughout the week.

Parking, Accessibility, and Amenities

Because activities are spread between the fairgrounds and downtown Auburn, visitors should follow the signs and directions provided for their particular event. Parking arrangements, accessible spaces, and any overflow areas should be checked against the current event instructions.

Specific published figures for parking capacity, camping availability, RV hookups, ATM locations, first-aid facilities, and accessible restroom locations were not confirmed for this guide. Visitors with mobility requirements or equipment needs should contact the fair office before arrival to confirm the available facilities.

Renting Fairground Facilities

The DeKalb County Fair Association makes selected facilities available for rental. Middaugh Hall, the show arena, and the wider fairgrounds are among the options identified for conventions, auctions, private gatherings, and other organized events.

Availability depends on the event calendar and the nature of the proposed gathering. Organizers should ask the fair association about capacity, setup and cleanup requirements, insurance, rental charges, and restrictions before finalizing plans.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial Vendors

Businesses and independent sellers interested in participating during the DeKalb County Free Fall Fair should contact the fair association to ask about vendor applications, available spaces, fees, setup times, and deadlines.

The fair has historically included merchant spaces and food vendors, but applicants should not assume that a particular booth type or location is available every year. Vendors should request the current application and review the rules before making travel or inventory arrangements.

Competitive Exhibits

Competitive exhibitors should consult the annual fair program for entry categories and submission procedures. The published 2026 schedule includes designated entry times for antiques, culinary projects, creative and domestic arts, fine arts, floral displays, hobbies, photography, agriculture, and horticulture.

The fair’s rules may specify entry eligibility, item preparation, drop-off windows, judging criteria, and collection times. Missing a submission deadline can prevent an otherwise eligible entry from being judged.

Animal exhibitors must also follow the applicable identification, health, ownership, and registration requirements. The rules for youth 4-H entries may differ from those for general or open-class exhibits.

Fair Office Contact Information

The DeKalb County Fair Association can be contacted using the following details:

• Address: 708 South Union Street, Auburn, Indiana 46706
• Telephone: 260-925-1834
• Email: [email protected]

For facility rentals, the association’s published contact information also identifies Dave Bunn at 260-255-0752. Confirm that the contact and number remain current before making arrangements.

Getting to DeKalb County Fairgrounds

Directions from Auburn and Nearby Cities

The fairgrounds are located on South Union Street in Auburn, the DeKalb County seat. Visitors already in Auburn can use local streets to reach the fairgrounds, following event signs where applicable.

For visitors travelling from other parts of northeast Indiana:

• From Fort Wayne: Travel north toward Auburn using the regional highway network, then follow local directions to South Union Street.
• From Kendallville: Travel toward Auburn using the connecting state and county roads, then follow signs for the fairgrounds.
• From Garrett: Head toward Auburn through the local road network and continue to the South Union Street address.
• From Waterloo: Travel toward Auburn using the connecting roads through DeKalb County.

Exact driving routes depend on the starting point, traffic, and temporary road closures. Check a current navigation service before travelling, especially during parade hours and the busiest days of the fair.

Public Transportation and Rideshare

Visitors should not assume that a dedicated shuttle or public-transit service operates during fair week. Confirm any special transportation arrangements with event organizers.

Rideshare passengers should agree on a pickup point that does not obstruct traffic or interfere with parade routes. Downtown activities may have different drop-off arrangements from those serving the fairgrounds themselves.

4-H and FFA at DeKalb County Fairgrounds

DeKalb County 4-H

Purdue Extension DeKalb County supports the local 4-H program and provides information about youth development, project requirements, deadlines, and fair participation.

The scale of the program is evident in its published 2025 figures: 375 exhibitors presented 1,144 animals at the fall fair. Reported projects included poultry, rabbits, swine, goats, sheep, dairy feeders and steers, beef cattle, and dairy animals.

The county also holds summer judging for static projects, with the 2026 session scheduled for July 13–16. This means young people can participate in project judging well before the main fall fair.

Families seeking information about enrollment or project requirements can contact the Purdue Extension DeKalb County 4-H Youth Development Educator at 260-925-2562. The extension office is located at 215 East 9th Street, Suite 300, Auburn, Indiana.

Junior Livestock Auction

The annual 4-H livestock auction gives exhibitors an opportunity to present their projects to buyers and supporters. The published 2026 schedule places auction introductions at 10:30 a.m. on October 2, with the auction beginning at 11 a.m.

Buyers should consult the current auction instructions for registration, bidding procedures, payment arrangements, and any options for supporting exhibitors through additional contributions. The precise distribution of proceeds depends on the auction’s rules and individual sale arrangements.

FFA Participation

Future agricultural leaders from the region may have interests in FFA activities, agricultural education, and livestock production. However, a verified list of participating DeKalb County FFA chapters was not established for this guide. Students should confirm participation and eligibility with their school agriculture teachers or the fair organizers.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fair association’s rental facilities allow the grounds to serve a wider range of community needs throughout the year.

Potential uses include:

• Conventions and organized meetings
• Auctions and agricultural gatherings
• Private functions and community events
• Horse-related activities and exhibitions
• Other approved events arranged through the fair association

The association’s rental information confirms that facilities can be booked for several kinds of gatherings. However, the availability of particular activities such as gun shows, flea markets, swap meets, rodeos, or motorsports events depends on individual bookings and announcements.

People searching for upcoming events at DeKalb County Fairgrounds should distinguish between a recurring fair tradition and a one-time event. A dated listing or direct confirmation is the best way to establish whether a particular activity is actually scheduled.

History of DeKalb County Fairgrounds

The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair has developed into a major annual gathering for Auburn and the surrounding agricultural communities. Its present format combines traditional livestock exhibitions with public entertainment, commercial vendors, carnival attractions, and downtown celebrations.

The emphasis on September fair week distinguishes DeKalb County’s event from many Indiana county fairs held in early or midsummer. The fall schedule also provides a dedicated occasion for youth exhibitors to present animal projects and other work after months of preparation.

The event’s continued emphasis on 4-H reflects the role of agricultural education in the fair’s identity. The exhibition halls and animal facilities provide space for practical demonstrations of skills that extend beyond competition, including animal husbandry, project planning, and presentation.

A detailed, independently verified founding date, complete chronology of the grounds, historic attendance records, and a comprehensive record of past cancellations were not established for this guide. Those details should be confirmed through local historical archives or the fair association before being presented as fact.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the DeKalb County Fair in 2026?

The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair is scheduled for September 28 through October 3, 2026. Check the daily program for individual livestock shows, entertainment, parade times, and downtown activities.

When is the DeKalb County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates should be confirmed when the DeKalb County Fair Association publishes the next schedule. The fair traditionally begins on the fourth Monday in September, but visitors should verify the official dates before planning their trip.

What time does DeKalb County Fairgrounds open?

Opening times vary by activity and date. The 2026 program lists the exhibition hall and Middaugh Hall opening at 10 a.m. on several fair days, while some livestock activities begin earlier. Check the daily schedule for the specific day you plan to attend.

Is admission free at DeKalb County Fair?

Yes. The DeKalb County Free Fall Fair is promoted as a free-admission event. However, carnival rides, food, merchandise, and certain other purchases may cost extra.

Is there camping at DeKalb County Fairgrounds?

Camping and RV facilities were not confirmed in the published information used for this guide. Contact the fair association to ask about on-site camping, hookups, restrictions, and nearby alternatives before bringing an RV.

How do I enter livestock in the DeKalb County Fair?

Youth exhibitors should consult Purdue Extension DeKalb County’s 4-H requirements and the current fair handbook. Registration deadlines, animal identification, required forms, health requirements, and check-in times vary by species and project.

Are dogs allowed at DeKalb County Fairgrounds?

A general pet policy was not confirmed for every part of the fair. Check the current rules before bringing a dog. Service animals and animals entered in approved competitions may be subject to different requirements.

Where do I park at DeKalb County Fairgrounds?

Use the parking instructions issued for your event and follow posted signs. Since some fair activities take place in downtown Auburn, parking for those events may differ from parking near the exhibition buildings.

Who do I contact to rent DeKalb County Fairgrounds?

Contact the DeKalb County Fair Association at 260-925-1834 or [email protected]. Ask about facility availability, rental fees, capacity, insurance requirements, and setup arrangements.

Are there livestock auctions at the fair?

Yes. The 2026 schedule includes the 4-H livestock auction on Friday, October 2, with introductions at 10:30 a.m. and the auction beginning at 11 a.m. Confirm the current buyer-registration and bidding procedures before attending.

What can I see at DeKalb County Fairgrounds besides livestock?

Visitors can explore agricultural and creative exhibits, horse events, the carnival, live entertainment, youth competitions, and activities associated with the Grand Finale Parade. The exact program varies by year.