Lauderdale County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

If you’re looking for a Lauderdale County fairgrounds in Alabama, here’s the answer up front: the county doesn’t currently have a standalone fairgrounds that hosts an annual county fair. Most Lauderdale County families go to the North Alabama State Fair at 65 Sportsplex Drive in Muscle Shoals, which is the fair’s published address with a phone number of 256-383-3247. Muscle Shoals is in neighboring Colbert County, but Florence, the Lauderdale County seat, is the largest city in the metro area known as The Shoals, so the two towns share one fair.

Some listing sites give the address as Tuscumbia (35674). The fair’s own listing says Muscle Shoals, 35661, so use that in your GPS.

One more mix-up worth heading off: Lauderdale County, Tennessee does have a county fairgrounds, in Halls, on the site of a former World War II Army airbase. Don’t confuse it with the Alabama county.

Who runs the North Alabama State Fair

The fair is operated by North Alabama State Fair, Inc. A fair directory describes it as a nonprofit that supports itself and gets no subsidy from the city, county, state, or federal government. That matters for visitors because gate money, vendor fees, and carnival revenue are what keep it running.

Lauderdale County’s own fair history

Lauderdale County did have a county fair of its own. An Auburn University Libraries photo from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service collection carries a caption identifying a poultry float at the Lauderdale County Fair in Florence in 1924. Florence also still has a Fairground Road, where the Florence/Lauderdale Farmers Market operates at 451 Fairground Rd. That street name points to where the old fair activity was centered. Exactly when the county fair stopped, and who ran it, isn’t documented in anything I found. The Lauderdale County Archives or the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library are the places to ask.

Upcoming Events

The next North Alabama State Fair

The 2026 fair ran September 14–20 in Muscle Shoals. The 2027 dates hadn’t been announced when this page was last updated. The pattern is consistent, though. The 2024 fair was September 9–15, and the 2025 fair was September 8–14. Plan for the second or third week of September, then check northalabamastatefair.org for the real dates.

Events inside Lauderdale County

• Alabama Renaissance Faire. Held each October in Wilson Park in Florence, which is renamed Fountain-on-the-Green during the event. The Southeast Tourism Society has ranked it among the top 20 events in the Southeast.
• Florence/Lauderdale Farmers Market, 451 Fairground Rd, Florence. Check the Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center for current seasonal hours.
• Events at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum (see Facilities below).
• 4-H programs. The county Extension office runs youth events, such as a Kids Chef cooking program for registered 4-H members ages 9–18 in June 2024.

Visit Florence keeps the most complete local calendar at visitflorenceal.com/events.

The North Alabama State Fair Itself

History

The fair dates to the 1930s. One source says the fair has been held annually in Muscle Shoals since 1935, while a fair directory gives 1934 for the first one, with a first-year attendance of 2,059. The sources disagree by a year, so treat the exact start as unconfirmed. That same directory estimates recent attendance at about 23,000.

Midway and rides

The midway is run by Wade Shows and is billed as one of the largest carnival midways in the area. In 2026 the ride options worked like this:

• A ride wristband plus admission combo was $45 Tuesday through Saturday ($35 wristband, $10 admission) and $37 on Sunday ($27 wristband, $10 admission) when bought at the gate or online after the fair opened.
• Advance gate admission was $7 per person when bought online before opening day, and a one-day flash sale on September 1 dropped combo tickets to $26.25.

Those are 2026 prices. Expect the same structure in 2027, with the cheapest tickets going to people who buy online in advance.

Lauderdale County Alabama Fairgrounds Events offer visitors opportunities to explore local fairs, agricultural exhibitions, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly activities that celebrate the area’s culture and traditions. Similarly, Lamar County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide enjoyable experiences featuring community gatherings, livestock shows, and local entertainment for people of all ages. Exploring both counties helps visitors discover more of Alabama’s fairground attractions, support local vendors, and enjoy memorable outings while appreciating the traditions and community spirit that make each destination special.

Shows and entertainment

In 2026, the fair’s shows were free with admission and included Pompeyo’s Dog Show, an act from America’s Got Talent. Other acts included a Pirates of the Caribbean stunt show and the Show-Me Swine Racers. Acts change each year.

Hours

The most recent hours I could find, for 2025, were Monday through Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. The fair publishes a fresh hours page every year, so confirm before you drive over.

Livestock and exhibits

The fair advertises animal and livestock exhibits, competitive displays, and agricultural attractions. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has listed the livestock shows on its public calendar, directing exhibitors to the fair’s website for show rules and entry forms and giving Colbert County Extension at 256-386-8571 as the contact. That listing is from 2023, so verify the current contact.

Food

The fair says it has carnival favorites and fair specialties from local and national vendors. Whether local nonprofits run food stands wasn’t published anywhere I could find. Ask the fair office if that matters to you.

Facilities and Grounds

Details on barns, grandstand capacity, acreage, camping, ADA parking, ATMs, and first aid weren’t available from sources I could verify. Call the fair office at 256-383-3247 for those, and ask specifically about overflow parking and whether RV camping is allowed on or near the grounds.

The Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum

For private events in Lauderdale County, the main public venue is the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum at 702 E. Veterans Drive in Florence. Facts from the city:

• Built in 1953 and renovated several times, with a 15,000-square-foot main floor.
• Seats about 2,500 theater-style or 1,600 at banquet tables.
• Hosts fundraisers, trade shows, craft fairs, concerts, plays, weddings, and sporting events.
• Reservations go through 256-760-6389, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s an indoor hall, not a livestock facility.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial and food vendors

Apply directly to the North Alabama State Fair. Deadlines come early. The 2025 listing showed an arts and crafts deadline of August 1 and music and food deadlines of August 18. If you want a 2027 spot, start asking in spring rather than late summer. The fair office number is 256-383-3247. festivalnet

Competitive exhibits

Request the current exhibitor information from the fair office and check the website for entry forms. Premium book availability, class lists, and entry fees weren’t published where I could verify them.

Getting There

Florence and Muscle Shoals sit on opposite sides of the Tennessee River in the Shoals area. From Florence, the area’s main routes are Highways 72 and 43, and Highway 157 links the Shoals to Interstate 65 near Cullman. Use 65 Sportsplex Drive, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 in your GPS rather than a street intersection. Shuttle and rideshare arrangements weren’t listed, so ask the fair office about drop-off areas during fair week. encyclopediaofalabama

4-H and FFA in Lauderdale County

The Lauderdale County Extension Office is at 802 Veterans Drive in Florence, phone 256-766-6223, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s in front of the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, and a 4-H sign marks the entrance. Staff listed for the county include Whitney Wilcoxson as the county 4-H agent, Tyler Thompson as County Extension Director, and Ali Gotcher as Animal Science and Forages agent. Staff change, so call the main number. Lauderdale County Extension Office building +2

If your child wants to show livestock at the fair, start with this office. Ask which shows 4-H members from Lauderdale County can enter, how health paperwork works, and what the entry deadlines are.

I couldn’t find a published count of 4-H clubs in the county, the list of FFA chapters that exhibit, or details of any junior livestock auction (who bids, when, and where proceeds go). Those answers come from the Extension office and local high school ag teachers.

Special Events Beyond the Fair

The Alabama Renaissance Faire in October and the Coliseum’s trade shows and craft fairs are the best-documented year-round draws. I didn’t find reliable listings for gun shows, rodeos, or motocross events in Lauderdale County, so I’m not going to list any. The Coliseum’s booking line and the Visit Florence events page are the places to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Lauderdale County fairgrounds in Alabama?
Not an active one that hosts a county fair. Lauderdale County residents mostly attend the North Alabama State Fair at 65 Sportsplex Drive in Muscle Shoals. Lauderdale County, Tennessee, does have a county fairgrounds, in Halls.

When is the Lauderdale County Fair in 2027?
There’s no separate county fair listed. The North Alabama State Fair ran September 14–20 in 2026 and is usually held in September. The 2027 dates hadn’t been announced when this page was last updated.

What time does the North Alabama State Fair open?
The most recent hours I found were weekdays 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (2025). Check the fair’s hours page for the current year.

How much does it cost to get in?
In 2026, advance online admission was $7 and gate admission was $10, with a ride wristband and admission combo at $45 Tuesday through Saturday and $37 on Sunday. Expect similar pricing in 2027, but confirm.

How do I enter livestock?
Use the entry forms and rules on the fair’s website, and contact the Lauderdale County Extension office at 256-766-6223 if your child is in 4-H.

Who do I contact to rent a venue in Florence?
For the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, call 256-760-6389 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Is there camping at the fairgrounds?
Not confirmed. Ask the fair office at 256-383-3247.

Are dogs allowed?
The fair hasn’t published a pet policy I could verify. Call before bringing one, and plan for heat and crowds.

Where do I park?
Parking details weren’t published in a source I could confirm. Ask the fair office about lots, fees, and ADA spaces before opening day.

Where do I get a vendor booth?
Contact the North Alabama State Fair office. In 2025, arts and crafts applications closed August 1 and food applications closed August 18.