Lonoke County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events

The Lonoke County Fairgrounds sit on the west side of the town of Lonoke, about 25 miles east of Little Rock. For one week every September, the grounds fill with show barns, a carnival midway and a rodeo arena, plus a parade that lines up in the city park. The rest of the year the buildings are available to rent. This page covers how the fair works, what it costs, how to enter or set up as a vendor, and how to reach the people who run it.

The most recent fair ran September 19 through 26, 2026. Dates for the 2027 Lonoke County fair had not been announced when this page was last updated.

Overview of Lonoke County Fairgrounds

Address and location

The fairgrounds are at 1006 West Third Street, Lonoke, AR 72086. Older city event listings use an address of 800 West 3rd Street, so use the 1006 address for GPS. The mailing address is different: PO Box 504, Cabot, AR 72023.

Lonoke is the county seat, and the fairgrounds are inside the city limits, a short drive west of the courthouse square. The 1928 Lonoke County Courthouse is on North Center Street. The grounds sit on the edge of the Grand Prairie, the rice and aquaculture country that shapes much of Lonoke County’s farm economy.

Who runs it

The fair is organized by the Lonoke County Fair & Livestock Association, with a Lonoke County Fair Board handling the work. The fairgrounds describe themselves as a locally owned, non-profit operation. The association takes sponsors and volunteers, and local businesses and farm-related companies are listed as fair sponsors each year.

The county Extension office is part of the picture too. Exhibit tags for the home economics and horticulture departments have been handled through the Lonoke County Extension Office, which tells you how closely the fair and the 4-H system work together here.

How long it has been running

The fair board counts 2026 as the 86th annual Lonoke County Fair and Livestock Show. That puts the first fair around 1940 or 1941. Acreage and an exact building count are not published on the fair’s own pages, so this page doesn’t guess at them. What the fair’s own materials do describe is a set of permanent facilities, covered below.

Upcoming Events at Lonoke County Fairgrounds

The main event: the county fair

The fair is the anchor of the calendar. It combines livestock shows, a carnival, a rodeo, entertainment, a parade, a pageant and home economics exhibits. For the 2026 fair, the official dates were September 19 through 26, with carnival rides running September 23 through 26.

The rest of the year

The fair association’s vendor page also carries booth and food vendor forms for a spring carnival, separate from the fall carnival. Spring dates are not posted on the fair’s schedule pages, so contact the fair office for them.

The grounds also host private and community events. The facility rental page advertises large outdoor spaces, indoor facilities and plenty of parking, with separate rental agreement forms for standard rentals and for not-for-profit groups. Past city listings show the fairgrounds being used for a USDA commodities distribution, which shows how many kinds of community use the site gets.

How to find the current schedule

The official Lonoke County Fair website posts the schedule, entry deadlines, vendor forms and rental forms. For questions, call the fair office at 501-413-9935 or email [email protected]. Expect the fair board to publish the next year’s dates on that site well ahead of September.

The County Fair Itself

Name and timing

The event is the Lonoke County Fair and Livestock Show, and the fair uses the tagline “America’s Heritage.” It runs in mid to late September. In 2026 the week opened on Saturday, September 19 with the pageant and talent show and finished on Saturday, September 26 with the rodeo.

What a fair week looks like

The 2026 schedule gives a good picture of the rhythm.

• Saturday, Sept. 19: Pageant and Talent Show at 9 a.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 20: Commercial vendors set up in the afternoon, then educational and community service booths.
• Tuesday, Sept. 22: Poultry check-in, home economics entries, vendor setup and livestock weigh-in for the junior division.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23: Goat, sheep and swine shows. Wednesday night entertainment was a worship team in the Entertainment Building.
• Thursday, Sept. 24: Horse show in the rodeo arena, the Lonoke County Fair Parade at 5 p.m., and lawn mower races that evening.
• Friday, Sept. 25: Beef cattle show in the morning, poultry showmanship, dairy cattle and rabbit shows, then the rodeo at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: The 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest, the 4-H poultry chain auction, rodeo queen crowning and the second rodeo night. Livestock check-out was at 11 p.m.

Livestock

The livestock program covers poultry, rabbits, swine, beef and dairy cattle, goats (both dairy and meat), sheep and equine. Shows are split into Beginner, Junior and Open divisions, and each species has a showmanship class.

Poultry has an extra step. All chickens and turkeys, including birds in the poultry chain project, need NPIP blood testing. A testing session for exhibitors was scheduled at the fairgrounds the Saturday before fair week. Horses require an EIA check-in, which was held the Thursday of fair week at the rodeo entry gate on the south side.

Visitors exploring Lonoke County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also discover local celebrations through Logan County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events. Exploring both counties helps visitors learn about regional traditions, discover community activities, and enjoy seasonal gatherings across Arkansas.

Home economics, horticulture and arts

Indoor exhibits run through categories that include food preparation, food preservation and honey, baked goods, photography, crafts, quilting, clothing, home furnishings, household art, fine arts, creative writing and horticulture. Exhibits are judged on merit, and ribbons earn premium points. The Education Building also hosts school and daycare tours on Thursday morning.

Carnival and midway

The carnival runs the last four days of fair week. Pay-one-price armbands are sold by the night, and the 2026 posted prices were:

• Wednesday and Thursday: $28, 5 to 10 p.m.
• Friday: $30, 5 to 11 p.m.
• Saturday: $30, 1 to 11 p.m.

Food

Vendors set up in the commercial space, and the fair’s own description mentions food trucks, funnel cakes, cotton candy and corn dogs. Food vendors apply through a separate form from commercial booths. Which specific stands return each year changes, so expect different names from one September to the next.

Entertainment

Free entertainment plays in the Entertainment Building each evening. The 2026 lineup included a worship team, school performers, line dancers from the Lonoke Community Center, a magician, and three music acts across Friday and Saturday. The fair also runs lawn mower races, which charged $10 per racer in 2026 and required a stock motor with no deck, and mutton bustin’ for kids ages 4 to 8 and under 60 pounds.

Admission and parking (2026 posted prices)

• Wednesday: free gate admission
• Thursday through Saturday: $8 for adults (13 and up), $4 for children 6 to 12, free for children under 5
• Seniors: free on Senior Citizens Day, Thursday, for ages 62 and older
• Parking: $5, whether inside or outside the fairgrounds
• Rodeo: included in the gate price on Friday and Saturday nights

Treat these as the most recent published numbers. Prices can change, so check the fair website before you go in 2027.

Facilities and Grounds

The fair’s schedule and rules pages name the major structures:

• Show Arena #1 and Show Arena #2: Goats, cattle and sheep are shown in Arena #1, and swine and sheep weigh-ins use Arena #2.
• Rodeo arena: Hosts the horse show, lawn mower races, mutton bustin’ and the Friday and Saturday rodeo.
• Entertainment Building: Evening music and performances.
• Education Building: Home economics, horticulture and school exhibits. Visitors are told to park in the rodeo parking area and use the west entry.
• Commercial Building: Indoor vendor booths, open from afternoon into evening during fair week.
• Poultry Barn and Rabbit Barn: Dedicated barns for each species.

Camping and RV

The fair offers camper and RV space rental, reserved through an online camper reservation form. The vendor page lists “RV hookups” among the services, and the camper form is tied to the fall carnival. Contact the fair office for hookup details and nightly rates.

Accessibility, parking and amenities

The fair posts a $5 parking fee for lots both inside and outside the fairgrounds, so overflow parking exists, but the fair does not publish the capacity. It also doesn’t publish an accessibility guide, so call ahead with specific needs such as ADA parking or paved routes between buildings.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendors and food vendors

The vendor page offers separate forms for:

• Inside exhibitor and commercial booths (fall)
• Outdoor exhibitor and commercial booths (fall)
• Food vendors (fall)
• Camper and RV spots
• Spring carnival exhibitor and food vendor forms

For vendor questions, the fair lists Melissa Underwood at 501-517-7475. The 2026 notice said all spaces are reserved by availability, with fees paid in full by September 2. Vendor setup on the Sunday before fair week ran from 1 to 4 p.m. for commercial vendors and from 2 to 5 p.m. for educational and community service booths. Vendors had to be in place by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Booth teardown was Sunday afternoon after the fair closed.

Competitive entries

Livestock and home economics entries are made online through the fair’s ShoWorks entry system, and the 2026 deadline was September 1 at 11:59 p.m. The fair also published the following requirements:

• Market animals, including commercial females, had to be validated by July 15 through the Arkansas Livestock Validation Program, unless a 4-H or FFA advisor directs otherwise.
• A posted notice says exhibitors must live in Lonoke, Prairie, Pulaski, Jefferson or Arkansas counties to compete in livestock. Home economics and horticulture rules in recent years limited entries to Lonoke County residents, with Youth (9 to 12), Junior (13 to 18) and Senior (19 and over) divisions. Read the current year’s rules, since residency requirements can differ by department.
• Exhibits must be clean, in first-class condition and not shown at a previous Lonoke County Fair. Commercial and professional exhibitors cannot enter the home economics area.

For entry help, the fair has posted Whitney’s number, 501-743-1429, in its entry reminders.

Getting to Lonoke County Fairgrounds

Lonoke sits along Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70, which runs through town. If you are coming from Little Rock, take I-40 east and follow signs into Lonoke. From Cabot, Lonoke is a short drive south. Once you are in town, follow West Third Street to the fairgrounds.

The fair does not advertise a shuttle. Rideshare use out here is limited, so plan on driving. During fair week, use the paid parking lots and follow signs to the rodeo parking area if you are heading to the Education Building.

4-H and FFA at Lonoke County Fairgrounds

The junior program is a large part of the fair. The livestock schedule includes Beginner, Junior and Pee Wee divisions, and Saturday morning features a 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest. The 4-H poultry chain auction is held Saturday afternoon in the poultry barn.

The fair also invites FFA and 4-H groups to a fairgrounds cleanup day the Saturday before fair week and offers community service hours for helping. It runs a Junior Fair Board, with an application posted on the education page, and the fair lists a scholarship application on its pages.

The county Extension office works with the fair on exhibit logistics, and exhibitors are told to talk to their 4-H or FFA advisor about validation. The fair board doesn’t publish a count of active 4-H clubs, so ask the Extension office if you need one. If you need details on how a market animal sale or any premium auction runs, the fair office is the right contact.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Rodeo

The Friday and Saturday night rodeo is presented by the Lonoke County Fair & Livestock Association with Flying L Rodeo Company. It comes with a rodeo queen program, including a horsemanship contest, interviews and speeches, and a crowning on Saturday night. Mutton bustin’ is capped at 25 kids per night, and kids sign up online starting the Monday of fair week.

Parade and pageant

The Lonoke County Fair Parade steps off at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Participants line up at City Park starting at 4 p.m. The pageant and talent show opens the week on Saturday morning.

Other uses

Beyond fair week, the fairgrounds can host private events, community gatherings and a spring carnival. Gun shows, swap meets and motocross are not listed on the fair’s own pages, so check with the office before assuming a given event type is held here.

History of Lonoke County Fairgrounds

Lonoke County was created in 1873, and the county celebrated its sesquicentennial in October 2023. The fair association’s own wording puts the first fair roughly 85 years before 2026. The county’s identity has long rested on rice, soybeans and fish farming, and the fair’s livestock and horticulture departments reflect that.

The fair has also kept growing. Recent years added a new west entry for the Education Building and an expanded set of fair competitions. Whether the fair has ever been canceled is not covered on the fair’s own pages, so ask the fair board or the county museum on Southeast Front Street, which holds the Lonoke Democrat newspaper archive.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Lonoke County Fair in 2026 and 2027?

The 2026 fair ran September 19 through 26. The 2027 dates had not been announced when this page was last updated. Expect another September fair, with dates posted on the official fair website.

What time does Lonoke County Fairgrounds open?

Hours vary by day. In 2026, carnival armband times were 5 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday. The commercial building ran from the afternoon into the evening, and the Education Building opened at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Is there camping at Lonoke County Fairgrounds?

Yes. The fair rents camper and RV spaces through an online camper reservation form, and the vendor page lists RV hookups. Call 501-413-9935 for current rates and availability.

How do I enter livestock in the Lonoke County Fair?

Enter online through the fair’s ShoWorks system by the September 1 deadline. Market animals must be validated through the Arkansas Livestock Validation Program by July 15, and poultry needs NPIP blood testing. Check your county’s residency rule and talk to your 4-H or FFA advisor.

Are dogs allowed at Lonoke County Fairgrounds?

The fair’s published pages don’t state a pet policy. Call the fair office before bringing a dog, especially on show days when barns are closed or restricted.

Where do I park at Lonoke County Fairgrounds?

Parking inside and outside the fairgrounds cost $5 in 2026. If you are visiting the Education Building, use the rodeo parking area and enter through the west entry.

Who do I contact to rent Lonoke County Fairgrounds?

Call 501-413-9935 and ask about facility rentals, or email [email protected]. The fair lists Lisa Caldwell as the rental contact. A deposit is required and reservations depend on availability.

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

In 2026, Wednesday admission was free. Thursday through Saturday cost $8 for adults, $4 for ages 6 to 12, and free for children under 5, with free admission for seniors 62 and older on Thursday. Rodeo admission was included in the gate price, and parking was $5.

How do I become a vendor at the Lonoke County Fair?

Download the booth or food vendor form from the vendor page, then return it with payment. The 2026 deadline for paid-in-full reservations was September 2. Call Melissa Underwood at 501-517-7475 with questions.

What events happen at the Lonoke County Fair besides the rides?

The week includes the rodeo, parade, pageant and talent show, mutton bustin’, lawn mower races, a horse show, livestock shows, home economics exhibits and free evening entertainment in the Entertainment Building.