Franklin County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

Franklin County sits in the northwest corner of Alabama, up against the Mississippi line. Its economy started with cotton, corn, and livestock, and farming is still part of daily life there. If you’re searching for Franklin County fairgrounds events, you probably want one of three things: a fair date, a way to enter an animal or exhibit, or a vendor booth. This page covers what is publicly documented for each and says where the answer has to come from a local office instead.

One thing to know up front: I could not find a published schedule, address, or website for a dedicated Franklin County, Alabama fairgrounds or an annual county fair. Searches for those terms mostly return Franklin Counties in other states. This page doesn’t guess at details it couldn’t confirm.

Overview of Franklin County Fairgrounds

Where the county fits

The Territorial Legislature created Franklin County on February 6, 1818, almost two years before Alabama became a state. It covers about 643 square miles and had 32,113 residents in the 2020 census. Russellville is the county seat and largest city, with 10,855 residents in 2020. Other communities include Red Bay, Phil Campbell, Hodges, Belgreen, and Vina. The county borders Colbert, Lawrence, Winston, and Marion counties in Alabama, and Itawamba and Tishomingo counties in Mississippi.

Who to ask about the grounds

The county doesn’t publish a fairgrounds office. The best starting points are the Franklin County Extension Office, which handles 4-H and youth programs, and the county courthouse, where the Extension office is located. The Extension office is in the courthouse basement, Room 1, at 410 North Jackson Avenue, Russellville, AL 35653. Its phone number is (256) 332-8880, and it is open 8:00 to 12:00 and 12:30 to 4:30.

Why agriculture still matters here

Franklin County’s economy has moved through farming, iron and steel, mining, and manufacturing. Red Bay is home to Tiffin Motorhomes. Livestock is still active: Northwest Alabama Livestock runs a cattle auction in Russellville every Monday, with goats and hogs at 11 a.m. and cattle following, and the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association holds an annual banquet at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville. Those two are the clearest signs of an organized livestock community.

Upcoming Events at Franklin County Fairgrounds

I found no event calendar tied to a Franklin County fairgrounds. For agricultural and community events in the county, check these in order:

1. The Franklin County Extension Office, (256) 332-8880, for 4-H and youth livestock information. Its public events listings also show training sessions held at the Russellville office.
2. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce (franklincountychamber.org), which lists community festivals.
3. The Franklin County Times, the county’s newspaper since 1879, at 501 N. Jackson Ave., Suite 7, Russellville, (256) 332-1881.

The Watermelon Festival

The biggest annual event people confuse with a county fair is the Franklin County Watermelon Festival, held in Russellville every August and organized by the Franklin County Chamber. Descriptions of past years mention live music, vendors, free watermelon, a pageant, a 5K, and a car and truck show. The 2026 festival ran August 14-15. It is a separate event from any county fair, so check the Chamber’s calendar for 2027 dates, which usually follow the same mid-August pattern.

Other venues that host events

Two community buildings often get mistaken for fairgrounds venues. The A.W. Todd Centre in Russellville is a large community center open to all residents. It also houses a senior center and a farmers market, and city hall lists it under (256) 332-6060. In Red Bay, a community center has a banquet room, garden room, and theatre.

Visitors interested in Franklin County Alabama Fairgrounds Events can explore local fairs, agricultural shows, community festivals, and family-friendly entertainment. Similarly, Fayette Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide another way to discover local gatherings and seasonal celebrations across the state. Exploring both areas helps visitors find more event options, experience Alabama’s community traditions, and plan enjoyable outings throughout the year.

The Franklin County Fair

I could not confirm that Franklin County, Alabama holds an annual county fair, so there are no dates, admission prices, or midway details to report. If a fair exists under a different name, such as a community fair, a school fair, or a livestock show, the Extension office is the place to confirm it. Counties that do hold fairs in this part of Alabama usually announce dates in spring, with entry forms circulating a few weeks to two months ahead.

For readers who want a livestock outlet now, the Monday auction at Northwest Alabama Livestock in Russellville is the nearest regular marketplace. Goats and sheep are received the Friday afternoon before the sale and Saturday morning, and cattle are received Sunday and Monday morning. Confirm current terms directly with the auction.

Facilities and Grounds

No public source I found describes exhibit barns, an arena, a grandstand, or a campground for a Franklin County fairgrounds, so this page lists none. The facilities that can be documented are:

• A.W. Todd Centre, Russellville: community center with a senior center and farmers market.
• Red Bay community center: banquet room, garden room, and theatre.
• Bear Creek Lakes, near Russellville: more than 10,000 acres of land and about 8,280 surface acres of water, known for bass fishing and outdoor recreation. Check current camping rules with the lake’s managers before planning a stay.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and food vendors

No vendor application for a county fairgrounds is published. For the Watermelon Festival, vendor information goes through the Franklin County Chamber. Anyone selling homemade food in Alabama should know about the Cottage Food Law training, which meets the Alabama Department of Public Health’s food safety training requirement for non-hazardous cottage foods. Alabama Extension is holding a session at the Franklin County Extension Office on October 21, 2026. The fee is $25 and you have to register in advance.

Livestock and youth entries

Youth livestock and project entries in Alabama generally run through 4-H or FFA. Start with the Extension office at (256) 332-8880 or your school’s agriculture teacher. For market sales, contact Northwest Alabama Livestock directly.

Contacts

• Franklin County Extension Office: 410 North Jackson Avenue, Courthouse Basement, Room 1, Russellville, AL 35653; (256) 332-8880. Mailing address: P.O. Box 820, Russellville, AL 35653.
• Franklin County Times: (256) 332-1881.
• Franklin County Archives & Research Center: 300 Limestone St., Russellville; (256) 332-8827.

Getting to Franklin County

Russellville is the natural starting point. US Highway 43 runs through the area, and County Road 48 runs east-west through the city. The Extension office’s directions say to turn west onto County Road 48 from US 43 North, drive about a quarter mile, then turn right onto Jackson Street North to reach the courthouse, with parking in front and rear. The Shoals attractions are about thirty minutes away. Public transit is limited in a county this size, so plan on driving.

4-H and FFA in Franklin County

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, run by Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, operates Alabama 4-H, and the county Extension office is the contact for project sign-ups. The Franklin County School System oversees seven schools, and Northwest Shoals Community College is in the county. I could not confirm the number of 4-H clubs or the names of FFA chapters, so ask the Extension office or your school’s agriculture program.

Special Events Beyond the Fair

Beyond the Watermelon Festival, community life in the county runs through the Todd Centre, the Red Bay community center, the Monday livestock auction, and the Cattlemen’s Association banquet. The recreation listings also mention a drive-in movie theater, golf courses in Russellville and Red Bay, and a stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail at Cypress Cove Farm in Red Bay. Check the Chamber calendar for the current season.

History

Russellville was first called Russell’s Valley after Maj. William Russell settled it in 1815. It was incorporated on November 27, 1819, and has been the county seat in two periods, 1820 to 1849 and again from 1891 after Colbert County was carved out. In between, Frankfort and Belgreen served as seats. During Reconstruction, Russellville was a center of the iron and steel industry.

I found no record of when a fairground was established or when a first county fair was held. For that, the Franklin County Archives & Research Center, the Franklin County Times, and two books, Heritage of Franklin County, Alabama and Alabama’s Franklin County: A History of Franklin County and Her People, are the best sources.

The April 2011 tornadoes killed 26 people in Franklin County: 23 in Phil Campbell and 3 in East Franklin.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Franklin County Fair in 2026-2027?
I found no published county fair dates. The Extension office at (256) 332-8880 is the best place to ask. The Watermelon Festival, which is a separate event, ran August 14-15 in 2026.

What time does Franklin County Fairgrounds open?
No public hours exist because no fairgrounds listing was found. Event hours come from each event’s organizer.

Is there camping at Franklin County Fairgrounds?
No on-site camping is documented. Bear Creek Lakes near Russellville has extensive land and water acreage, so confirm current camping options with the lakes’ managers.

How do I enter livestock in a Franklin County event?
Youth exhibitors should start with 4-H through the Extension office or with their school’s FFA advisor. For selling animals, Northwest Alabama Livestock in Russellville receives goats and sheep on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before Monday sales.

Are dogs allowed at Franklin County events?
It depends on the event. Many Alabama fairs and festivals limit pets to service animals and scheduled dog events, so confirm with the organizer. For the Watermelon Festival, ask the Chamber.

Where do I park?
For Extension office visits, parking is in front of and behind the courthouse at 410 North Jackson Avenue. For festivals, parking is set by the organizer each year.

Who do I contact to rent a venue for an event?
For the A.W. Todd Centre, call Russellville City Hall at (256) 332-6060. For anything else, start with the Extension office.

How much does it cost to get in?
I found no admission figures, because no fairgrounds or county fair listing exists. The Watermelon Festival is described as offering free watermelon. Check the Chamber for current admission.

Is the Watermelon Festival at the fairgrounds?
It is held in Russellville and organized by the Franklin County Chamber, and it is separate from any county fair. Check the Chamber’s calendar for the location and schedule each year.