Dubois County Indiana Fairgrounds Events

The Dubois County Fairgrounds in southern Indiana is a gathering place for local 4-H members, agricultural exhibitors, families, and community organizations. Located south of Jasper near Huntingburg, the grounds host the annual Dubois County 4-H Fair, where youth showcase livestock, educational projects, and practical skills developed throughout the year.

The fairgrounds are more than a summer destination. Their exhibition buildings, livestock facilities, arenas, and rental spaces support activities that bring residents together beyond fair week. Whether you’re planning a family visit, preparing a 4-H project, considering a vendor booth, or looking for a place to hold an event, knowing how the grounds operate will help you plan your visit.

Overview of Dubois County Fairgrounds

Location and grounds

The Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds is located at 4157 South State Road 162, Huntingburg, Indiana 47542. Although Jasper serves as the county seat, the fairgrounds are south of Jasper along State Road 162, making them accessible to residents throughout Dubois County and neighboring communities.

The property is adjacent to Dubois County Park, a separate recreational area with walking paths, lakes, picnic facilities, and camping. The nearby park covers approximately 94 acres, while the adjoining fairgrounds occupy approximately 71 acres. These are separate properties, so visitors should distinguish between fairground facilities and county park amenities when making arrangements.

The fairgrounds include dedicated exhibition buildings, a commercial building, livestock barns, a horse and pony arena, a show corral, and a grandstand arena. Different parts of the property serve different purposes, from displaying 4-H projects to holding animal shows and public entertainment.

Who operates the fairgrounds?

The Dubois County 4-H Council oversees the county 4-H program and its fair activities, working with Purdue Extension Dubois County and volunteers. Purdue Extension provides youth-development guidance, project requirements, enrollment information, and educational support.

This partnership is particularly important for families entering exhibits or livestock competitions. The fair’s rules, entry procedures, and show schedules are organized around the county’s 4-H program rather than being limited to a general public festival.

Upcoming Events at Dubois County Fairgrounds

The main annual attraction is the Dubois County 4-H Fair, but the grounds also support project meetings, seasonal gatherings, facility rentals, and other community activities. The exact calendar changes from year to year.

Events visitors can expect

Agricultural and educational activities are central to the fairgrounds’ schedule. Depending on the date and program, visitors may encounter:

• 4-H livestock shows and animal exhibitions.
• Youth project displays and judged exhibits.
• Horse and pony activities.
• Commercial exhibits and community information booths.
• Midway attractions and family entertainment during fair week.
• Meetings, educational programs, and other approved gatherings.
• Private events using available rental facilities.

Do not assume that every event commonly found at other Indiana county fairs takes place in Dubois County. Rodeos, demolition derbies, gun shows, motocross events, and tractor pulls should be considered scheduled only when a local announcement confirms them.

How to check the current schedule

The official fairgrounds’ event calendar and published fair schedule are the best places to confirm dates, daily opening times, entertainment, and facility arrangements. Purdue Extension Dubois County is the appropriate contact for 4-H project questions and youth competition requirements.

Because individual activities may take place at different buildings or arenas, check the schedule for the event location as well as its start time. Weather, livestock arrangements, and program changes can affect the day’s activities.

The Dubois County 4-H Fair

When is the Dubois County 4-H Fair?

The 2026 Dubois County 4-H Fair was scheduled for July 9–13, 2026. The fairgrounds’ published information identifies July 15–18, 2027 for the 2027 fair. Visitors planning ahead should confirm the final daily program and any subsequent schedule updates before traveling.

The July fair is the main annual period for youth exhibits, livestock competitions, and public activities at the Huntingburg grounds.

Livestock, exhibits, and youth competitions

Livestock judging is a major part of the fair’s educational purpose. The county’s 4-H program provides species-specific rules and schedules, including animal identification and exhibition requirements. Livestock categories and individual show times should be confirmed in the current handbook.

Other 4-H projects allow participants to demonstrate skills beyond animal care. Depending on the official project list, exhibits may include arts and crafts, aerospace, photography, woodworking, food preparation, and other practical or educational subjects. Open-class exhibits may also be offered under their own entry rules.

Discover Dubois County, Indiana Fairgrounds Events to learn about local agricultural traditions, seasonal celebrations, livestock shows, and family entertainment. You can also visit Delaware County Indiana Fairgrounds Events for additional information about Indiana fairs.

Carnival, food, and entertainment

The fair’s layout includes a midway, a grandstand arena, and a free-stage area. These spaces allow different activities to operate around the same time, including family attractions, scheduled entertainment, and competitions.

Carnival rides, ride passes, concession menus, and grandstand programs can change annually. Visitors should check the current schedule for ride hours, ticket arrangements, performance details, and any restrictions. Local food stands and concessions may provide familiar fair meals and snacks, but specific vendors and menus should not be assumed without confirmation.

Admission can also vary by activity. Grandstand events may have separate rules from general fairground access, and some children’s admission policies have applied to particular events in past years. Check the current program rather than relying on an older ticket policy.

Facilities and Grounds

The property is organized into facilities for exhibitions, livestock, commercial displays, and entertainment. Past fair schedules identify the following locations:

• 4-H Exhibit Buildings 1 and 2: Youth projects and open-class displays.
• Commercial Building: Commercial exhibitors and vendor displays.
• Cattle Barn, Sheep Barn, and Swine Barn: Livestock housing and related activities.
• Small Animal Building: Small-animal exhibits.
• Horse and Pony Arena: Scheduled equine activities.
• Grandstand Arena: Selected public entertainment and competitions.
• Show Corral and Implement Field: Designated outdoor activity areas.
• Clover Pavilion and Gathering Place Tent: Additional gathering and program spaces.

These names describe facilities used in published fair schedules; availability and access depend on the event.

Camping, parking, and accessibility

Camping is available in the surrounding Dubois County Park area, which has 32 campsites with pads, electricity, water, picnic tables, and grills. The park also has restroom facilities, including one with showers. Camping reservations and park rules should be confirmed separately from fairground arrangements.

Parking areas, accessible spaces, pathways, and restrooms may be arranged differently for individual events. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the fair office before arriving to confirm accessible parking and the most convenient entrance. Do not assume that all buildings have identical accessibility features.

Concessions and first-aid arrangements may vary with the event. Bring any essential supplies you need, and check event-specific guidance for restrictions on bags, coolers, pets, or other items.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Dubois County Fairgrounds provides opportunities for commercial exhibitors and 4-H participants, but the application processes are different.

Applying for a vendor booth

Businesses interested in selling products, displaying equipment, or sharing information should contact the fairgrounds office to ask about commercial building space, booth availability, fees, setup hours, and vendor requirements. Ask whether applications are accepted for the full fair or individual days.

Food vendors may need additional approvals relating to food handling, insurance, electrical connections, and temporary sales operations. Requirements and deadlines should be confirmed directly with the fairgrounds before making financial commitments.

Entering competitive exhibits

Youth exhibitors should consult the current Dubois County 4-H handbook and project guidelines. The registration process uses 4-H Online and FairEntry for applicable entries, judging records, project labels, and show information.

Pay particular attention to deadlines for enrollment, animal identification, project submission, and livestock check-in. Not every project follows the same procedure, and completing general 4-H enrollment does not necessarily complete every fair-entry requirement.

Open-class exhibitors should request the applicable entry instructions and premium information. Contact Purdue Extension Dubois County at 812-482-1782 for 4-H questions. For commercial building rentals and fairground facilities, use the fairgrounds office at 812-482-2434.

Getting to Dubois County Fairgrounds

Driving directions

The fairgrounds’ address is 4157 South State Road 162 in Huntingburg, south of Jasper.

• From Jasper: Travel south toward Huntingburg on State Road 162 and follow the fairgrounds’ address and event signage.
• From Huntingburg: Use State Road 162 toward the fairgrounds, checking your navigation directions for the entrance.
• From Ferdinand and nearby communities: Plan a route connecting to the State Road 162 corridor, allowing extra time during major fair events.
• From farther away: Visitors traveling from Evansville, Bloomington, or Louisville should check current road conditions and their preferred route before departure.

State Road 162 is the key approach to the grounds. Traffic can increase during the annual fair, especially around popular livestock shows and evening entertainment.

Public transportation and rideshare

Visitors should not assume that a dedicated public shuttle operates during fair week. Confirm any shuttle arrangements through the fairgrounds’ current announcements. If using a rideshare service, arrange a clear pickup point with the driver and follow event staff instructions rather than requesting a stop in a congested entrance lane.

4-H and FFA at Dubois County Fairgrounds

Youth education and project development

The fair is closely connected to Purdue Extension Dubois County’s 4-H Youth Development program. Children in grades 3–12 can participate in 4-H, while Mini 4-H provides opportunities for children in kindergarten through grade 2.

Participants develop practical skills through projects, demonstrations, supervised animal care, judging, and public presentations. The fair gives them a chance to display their work and receive feedback from judges.

Local clubs meet in different communities, and their schedules and leadership contacts are maintained through the county’s 4-H program. Families can ask the extension office about joining a club, choosing projects, or finding suitable activities for younger children.

Livestock auctions and FFA participation

Youth livestock competitions require advance preparation, adherence to animal health rules, and compliance with show procedures. Families should consult the current handbook for animal-specific requirements and the official show schedule.

The precise date, eligibility rules, and bidding procedures for any junior livestock auction should be checked in the current fair program. Prospective buyers should confirm whether bidding is in person, online, or offered through a combination of arrangements, and whether they are purchasing an animal or making a support contribution.

FFA involvement and participation by local school chapters should be confirmed with the organizers for the particular year. Do not assume that every livestock or agricultural activity is open to all students under identical eligibility rules.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fairgrounds’ buildings and outdoor areas can accommodate gatherings outside the main July event, subject to scheduling and facility policies.

Potential uses include educational meetings, community gatherings, commercial displays, youth activities, and private functions in available rental spaces. The grounds also advertise building rentals and camping or shelter-house arrangements.

A particular concert, flea market, gun show, rodeo, swap meet, or seasonal festival should not be treated as a confirmed upcoming event without a dated local announcement. The same applies to touring entertainment and motorsports.

Organizations considering a fundraiser or community event should contact the fairgrounds office to discuss capacity, rental costs, insurance, setup, cleanup, parking, and restrictions on activities. Outdoor events may require additional planning for weather and crowd management.

History of Dubois County Fairgrounds

Dubois County’s fair tradition reflects the importance of agriculture, practical education, and community participation in southern Indiana. The modern 4-H Fair provides a setting where young residents can demonstrate skills in livestock care, home projects, creative work, and other educational activities.

The county’s 4-H Council and Purdue Extension play an important role in organizing these programs. The grounds’ separate exhibit buildings and livestock facilities make it possible to accommodate a variety of competitions during the same fair week.

A precise founding year for the present fairgrounds, a verified chronology of major construction projects, and documented attendance records were not established in the information available for this article. Those details should be confirmed through historical fair programs, county records, or the fair board before being published as facts.

For visitors, the most visible continuity is the fair’s focus on youth achievement and agricultural education, combined with public activities that bring families and local organizations together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Dubois County County Fair in 2027?

The Dubois County 4-H Fair is listed for July 15–18, 2027. Confirm the final daily schedule before traveling, as individual competitions and entertainment may have separate times.

What time does Dubois County Fairgrounds open?

Opening times depend on the event and the area of the grounds. Livestock barns, exhibition buildings, commercial spaces, and the midway may follow different schedules. Check the day’s program before visiting.

Where are Dubois County Fairgrounds located?

The fairgrounds are at 4157 South State Road 162, Huntingburg, Indiana 47542, south of Jasper.

Is there camping at Dubois County Fairgrounds?

Camping is available at the adjacent Dubois County Park, which lists 32 campsites with electricity and water. Confirm reservation availability, applicable fees, and whether your booking covers the dates you plan to attend the fair.

How do I enter livestock in the Dubois County 4-H Fair?

Start with Purdue Extension Dubois County and review the current 4-H handbook. Complete the required enrollment, animal identification, fair-entry procedures, and health documentation by the relevant deadlines.

Are dogs allowed at Dubois County Fairgrounds?

Check the rules for the specific event before bringing a dog. Animal exhibitors may be subject to different requirements from ordinary visitors, and pet access should not be assumed.

Where do I park at Dubois County Fairgrounds?

Use designated fairground parking and follow signs or directions from event staff. Parking arrangements and overflow areas may change with attendance, so allow extra time during busy evening programs.

Who do I contact to rent Dubois County Fairgrounds?

Call the fairgrounds office at 812-482-2434 to ask about building rentals, shelter-house arrangements, availability, and booking requirements.

How much does it cost to attend the Dubois County 4-H Fair?

Admission prices depend on the current year’s policies and the activity. Confirm general admission, grandstand tickets, carnival passes, and any age-based discounts before attending.

Can I sell products at the Dubois County Fair?

Commercial vendors should contact the fairgrounds office about booth availability, application deadlines, fees, insurance, and setup requirements. Space is subject to approval and availability.

How can I find the latest Dubois County fair events?

Check the fairgrounds’ current event calendar and published daily schedule. For youth exhibits, enrollment, and livestock requirements, contact Purdue Extension Dubois County.

Are all fair activities held in one building?

No. The fairgrounds have separate exhibit buildings, livestock barns, a commercial building, a horse and pony arena, and a grandstand arena. Check the event location in the schedule before walking across the grounds.