Little River County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events

One thing trips up a lot of people searching for the Little River County fairgrounds: they are not in Ashdown, the county seat. They are in Foreman, a small city in the middle of the county, at 651 East Smith Avenue, Foreman, AR 71836. The Little River County Fair and Rodeo is held there every August, and a lot of aggregator sites list it under the wrong town.

This guide covers what I could pin down about the grounds, the fair, the rodeo, and the youth programs. Where a detail isn’t published or changes every year, I say so and name the person to ask.

Overview of Little River County Fairgrounds

Where the grounds are

The fairgrounds sit in Foreman, which is the town that hosts the county fair and the rodeo. Foreman is about 18 miles northwest of Ashdown, where the courthouse is. It is about 16 miles from De Queen and roughly 30 miles from Texarkana, Texas.

The address is 651 East Smith Avenue. The city of Foreman keeps a Little River County Fair and Rodeo page on its own website, and that page is one of the more reliable places to look for parade entry forms and annual notices.

Who runs it

The fair is organized by the Little River County Fair Association, Inc. That name appears on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s list of county fair associations that received state fair support funding. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service office for Little River County handles the 4-H side. Its phone number is 870-898-7224.

I could not confirm the acreage of the grounds, the number of permanent buildings, or the year the fairgrounds were established. If you need those for a report or a grant application, ask the fair association directly.

Why Foreman

Foreman’s history explains part of it. The town was formerly called Rocky Comfort, and in 1902 the county seat moved there. Ashdown and Foreman then competed for the courthouse, and a 1906 election gave it to Ashdown. The new Ashdown courthouse was built in 1907.

Foreman lost the county seat but kept a place in county life. Today the fair and rodeo are the biggest annual draw on its calendar.

What the county is like

Little River County was created in 1867 and is the state’s 59th county. It was named for the Little River, which forms part of its boundary along with Millwood Lake and the Red River. The census counted 12,026 residents in 2020.

The landscape is rolling, pine-covered hills, and timber is the main part of the economy. Agriculture in the county includes ranching, pecans, soybeans, peanuts, and rice. A fair here draws exhibitors from cattle and hay operations, pecan growers, and families with 4-H and FFA animals.

Upcoming Events at Little River County Fairgrounds

The event pattern

The anchor event is the Little River County Fair and Rodeo, held in August. Past schedules show the pattern:

• 2022: the rodeo was listed for August 26–27
• 2023: the fair was listed for August 14–26, with a parade and a Tiny Tot entry form
• 2024: the rodeo was listed for Friday and Saturday, August 23–24
• 2025: a calendar listed the livestock show on August 11, a rodeo queen contest on August 16, a parade on August 22, and the rodeo on August 22

The fair stretches over roughly one to two weeks, with livestock and youth events early and the parade and rodeo at the end.

Visitors exploring Little River County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also discover community gatherings through Lincoln County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events. Exploring both locations provides opportunities to discover local traditions, enjoy seasonal activities, and learn about community celebrations across Arkansas.

2026 and 2027

I could not confirm exact 2026 dates, and an aggregator listing showed dates that did not match the usual August pattern, so I wouldn’t rely on it. The 2026 fair should be behind you by now. For 2027, expect an August fair and watch the city of Foreman’s fair page and the fair association’s announcements for dates.

Other events

One event that shows up on the fair calendar is the Rocky Comfort Pecan Festival, listed in August 2025. I could not confirm whether it is held on the fairgrounds, so treat it as a related local event rather than a fairgrounds event.

Renting the grounds

I could not find a published rental policy or rate sheet. If you want to book the grounds for a private event, contact the Little River County Fair Association or the city of Foreman and ask about availability, cost, and insurance.

The Little River County Fair Itself

The name and the format

The official name is the Little River County Fair and Rodeo. The city of Foreman’s fair page describes it as a full week of activity: the Ferris wheel, the blue-ribbon exhibits, cotton candy, and two rodeo finales on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.

Competitions

I could not confirm the current list of classes. Based on what the county grows and raises, expect cattle, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, and rabbit classes plus home arts and produce. The county livestock show is held in the early part of fair week. For the real class list, ask the extension office for the fair’s premium book or exhibitor guide.

Parade and youth entries

The county fair has a parade, with an entry form published in advance. In 2023, the entry form was due August 25, and there was a separate Tiny Tot entry form. In 2024 and 2025, a Rodeo Parade was also listed. Check the Foreman fair page each summer for the current forms.

Carnival and midway

The fair page mentions a Ferris wheel, so a traveling midway is part of the picture. I could not confirm the carnival operator, ride count, or wristband pricing.

Rodeo

The rodeo runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. For 2024, one rodeo directory listed:

• Advance tickets: $10 adult, $8 student
• Gate tickets: $12 adult, $10 student

Those are 2024 prices. Confirm current pricing before you go.

A rodeo queen contest is part of the event. In 2025 it was listed for August 16.

Admission to the fair itself

I could not confirm gate admission, parking fees, season passes, or senior and child pricing for the fair grounds beyond the rodeo prices above.

Facilities and Grounds

I could not find a verified inventory of barns, exhibit buildings, seating capacity, camping, or accessibility features. The rodeo is held on the grounds, so there is at least an arena. Beyond that, ask the fair association these questions before you go:

• Which barns house which species, and how are stalls assigned?
• What is the arena’s seating capacity?
• Are there indoor exhibit and vendor spaces?
• Is there RV or tent camping on the grounds?
• Where is ADA parking, and are the paths paved?
• Where is overflow parking during rodeo nights?

If you need camping, Millwood State Park near Ashdown is known for its campsites and fishing, but it is a drive from Foreman. Check availability with the park.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors

I could not find a published vendor application or booth rate list for the Little River County Fair. Start with the Little River County Fair Association or the city of Foreman and ask about booth sizes, rates, and deadlines.

Exhibitors

For youth livestock and project entries, start with the Little River County Extension Office at 870-898-7224. Ask for the premium book, the entry deadline, and check-in times. For open rodeo entries, rodeo directories list events like barrel racing and team roping with entry fees and an entry window held the week before the rodeo. Those details change every year, so use the current listing.

Who to contact

• Extension office: 870-898-7224
• County offices in Ashdown: 351 North 2nd Street, 870-898-7202
• City of Foreman: for parade forms and fair announcements

Getting to Little River County Fairgrounds

Roads

Foreman is reached by Arkansas Highways 32, 41, and 108. Highway 108 runs northeast from the Oklahoma line through Foreman toward Alleene. It then turns south and east and reaches US 59/71 about 10 miles north of Ashdown.

• From Ashdown: Take US 59/71 north to Highway 108, then head west toward Foreman. The trip is about 18 miles.
• From De Queen: Foreman is about 16 miles away.
• From Texarkana: Foreman is about 30 miles away, via US 59/71 north and then Highway 108.
• From Hope: Foreman is about 48 miles away.

Use the street address, 651 East Smith Avenue, in your phone’s maps.

Transit

I could not find a public transit or fair-week shuttle service. Plan to drive. In a town this small, a rideshare back to Texarkana or Ashdown after the rodeo is not something to count on.

4-H and FFA at Little River County Fairgrounds

What the extension office does

The Little River County Extension Office is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. It coordinates 4-H projects, and for county fair entries it is the best first call: 870-898-7224.

Clubs, chapters, and the livestock show

I could not confirm how many 4-H clubs are active in the county or which FFA chapters exhibit. Little River County also belongs to the Southwest Arkansas District livestock show region, so a good county placing can lead to district-level competition. Ask the extension office how county entries qualify.

I did not find published details on a junior livestock auction at the county fair, so I won’t describe one. If you plan to bid or sell, ask the fair association who may bid and where the proceeds go.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

I could not find a published calendar of swap meets, gun shows, motocross events, or concerts at the grounds, so I won’t claim any. The one confirmed non-fair use is the rodeo itself, which is a major event in its own right and draws contestants from the region.

History of Little River County Fairgrounds

I could not find the founding date of the fairgrounds or records of attendance, notable visitors, or past cancellations. What the record does show is that the fair has been consistent in recent years: schedules from 2022 through 2025 all follow the same August pattern, and the fair has a parade, a rodeo queen contest, and a livestock show as regular features.

The location matters historically, too. Foreman held the county seat for a short stretch before 1906, and the fair and rodeo are part of how the town has stayed at the center of county life.

If you have older programs, photos, or memories of the fair, the extension office and the fair association are good places to share them.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Little River County Fair in 2026–2027?

The fair is held in August. Recent years ran from mid-August with the rodeo on the final Friday and Saturday. I could not confirm 2027 dates, so watch the fair page on the city of Foreman’s website.

Where is the Little River County Fairgrounds?

At 651 East Smith Avenue, Foreman, Arkansas 71836. It is in Foreman, not Ashdown.

What time does the rodeo start?

Recent listings show the rodeo at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

How much does it cost to get into the Little River County Fair?

I could not confirm current gate prices. For the 2024 rodeo, advance tickets were $10 for adults and $8 for students, and gate tickets were $12 and $10.

How do I enter livestock in the Little River County Fair?

Call the Little River County Extension Office at 870-898-7224 for the premium book, entry deadlines, and check-in times.

Is there camping at Little River County Fairgrounds?

I could not confirm camping on the grounds. Millwood State Park near Ashdown has campsites.

Are dogs allowed at Little River County Fairgrounds?

I could not confirm the fair’s pet policy. Ask the fair association before you bring a dog.

Who do I contact to rent the fairgrounds?

Start with the Little River County Fair Association and the city of Foreman.

Is there a parade?

Yes. Recent years listed a fair parade, with an entry form published in advance and a separate Tiny Tot form.

Where do I park?

I could not find a published parking plan. Ask the fair association about on-site and overflow parking before rodeo night.