Union County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events

Union County Fairgrounds in El Dorado, Arkansas, hosts the annual Union County Fair, a longstanding community event combining livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, pageants, youth competitions, food, and evening entertainment. Located in the southern Arkansas city of El Dorado, the fairgrounds draw families, exhibitors, students, and local businesses from across Union County and neighboring communities.

The Union County Fair is more than a midway. Livestock competitions give young exhibitors a chance to present animals they have raised, while the exhibit buildings showcase creative work, household projects, and other entries. Commercial vendors and community organizations add to the fair’s role as a gathering place for the region.

The 86th Union County Fair ran September 22–26, 2026. That event has now passed. The 2027 dates and program have not yet been confirmed, so visitors planning next year’s trip should check the fair’s official schedule when it is released.

Overview of Union County Fairgrounds

Location and address

Union County Fairgrounds is located at 1430–1432 East 19th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730. Published fair information uses both street numbers, so visitors should search for Union County Fairgrounds in El Dorado and follow current event directions.

El Dorado is the county seat of Union County and the main reference point for reaching the grounds. US Highway 82, US Highway 167, and other regional routes connect El Dorado with nearby southern Arkansas communities. Visitors arriving from outside the area should check navigation directions for East 19th Street and allow extra time during busy fair evenings.

Fair organization and local importance

The Union County Fair Association operates the annual fair and publishes the schedule, exhibitor information, admission policies, and vendor instructions. The University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service’s Union County office supports agricultural education and 4-H programming, which are important parts of the fair’s youth and livestock activities.

A verified acreage figure, complete building inventory, and total grandstand capacity are not established in the current public information. The grounds do have facilities for livestock shows, an activities building, exhibit spaces, carnival operations, and scheduled entertainment.

For Union County residents, the fair connects agricultural education and youth participation with family recreation. It gives students a public venue for livestock projects, allows residents to enter judged exhibits, and creates opportunities for local businesses and community groups to reach fairgoers.

Upcoming Events at Union County Fairgrounds

The 2026 Union County Fair

The 2026 fair ran from Tuesday, September 22, through Saturday, September 26. The schedule included livestock shows, home economics and other judged exhibits, carnival rides, pageant activities, and family entertainment.

The fair’s 2026 theme was “Lights, Camera, Fair.” Its program included separate check-in and judging arrangements for poultry, rabbits, livestock, and home economics entries. The schedule also identified move-in day before the public fair opened, so exhibitors had to follow the appropriate receiving times rather than arrive with entries during regular public hours.

As of October 2026, the next fair dates have not been confirmed. The event traditionally takes place in late September, but visitors and exhibitors should wait for the 2027 schedule before making firm arrangements.

Where to find the next event schedule

The Union County Fair Association’s official website publishes the fair calendar, catalog, admission information, vendor applications, and livestock schedules. Daily timing can change, so the association also directs visitors to its Facebook updates for event-day announcements.

The University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service’s Union County office can help with questions about agricultural education and 4-H. Its office is at 307 American Road, Suite 101, El Dorado, AR 71730, and its phone number is 870-864-1916.

The grounds are primarily known for the annual fair. Outside events or private rentals should be confirmed with the fair association rather than assumed to be part of a regular year-round schedule.

The Union County Fair

Fair dates and daily hours

The Union County Fair is typically held in late September. In 2026, public fair hours were listed as 5–10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, and 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday. The preceding Monday was designated as move-in day, when exhibits were not available for public viewing and carnival rides were not open.

Those hours applied to the 2026 event and should not be treated as the schedule for 2027. The next program may use different opening times, entertainment arrangements, or entry procedures.

Livestock and youth competitions

Livestock shows are a central part of the Union County Fair. The 2026 schedule included poultry and rabbit judging, a market-animal weigh-in, a 4-H livestock show, and junior livestock classes. The program also listed beef, dairy, swine, sheep, and goat judging, along with other livestock-related activities.

Animal check-in is governed by specific rules. Exhibitors should review the annual catalog for eligible classes, arrival times, animal identification, health requirements, weigh-in procedures, and release times. The livestock schedule can be different for each species, so a general fair opening time is not sufficient for planning an animal entry.

The fair also provides opportunities for youth showmanship and other educational activities. Families interested in participating should obtain the current rules before preparing an animal or paying entry fees.

Home economics and other exhibits

The Home Economics Building receives judged entries separately from livestock. The 2026 schedule listed receiving times before and during the fair, with some judging sessions not open to the public.

The annual catalog is the authority for the categories accepted in each year. Exhibitors should check the relevant department for entry deadlines, labeling, judging times, premiums, and collection of items after the fair. Do not assume that every class or deadline from a previous year will be repeated.

Visitors interested in Union County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events can also explore local gatherings through Stone County Arkansas Fairgrounds Events. Both locations offer opportunities to discover regional heritage, enjoy seasonal activities, and plan memorable outings across Arkansas.

Carnival rides, food, and entertainment

Carnival rides are part of the fair’s regular program. In 2026, wristbands were advertised at $25 Tuesday through Friday, $20 Saturday from 1–5 p.m., and $25 Saturday evening. The schedule specified that wristbands purchased before 6 p.m. Saturday were not valid after 6 p.m. These were 2026 prices and may change next season.

The 2026 schedule also included evening entertainment and livestock activities. The exact food vendors, menus, musical acts, and special attractions can vary from year to year. Visitors should check the new schedule for any concerts, pageants, arena events, or community activities they particularly want to attend.

Admission, age rules, and fairground policies

General gate admission in 2026 was listed at $7. School-aged children were admitted free on Saturday under the fair’s published Kids’ Day policy, subject to the stated hours. The fair also announced specific carnival wristband prices.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older. The fair’s published rules also prohibit weapons, including concealed or openly carried weapons, and specify a clear-bag policy. Visitors should read the current policy before arriving because security and admission conditions may be updated for future fairs.

Facilities and Grounds

Exhibition buildings and livestock areas

The grounds include a Home Economics Building, an Activities Building used for the 2026 pageant, livestock areas, and spaces for carnival and fair activities. Livestock receiving and judging take place on a separate schedule from public entertainment.

The exact number of permanent buildings, livestock stall capacity, seating capacity, and total acreage are not confirmed in the available public information. Exhibitors who need stalls, trailer access, electrical connections, or particular unloading arrangements should ask the fair association before arrival.

Parking, accessibility, and amenities

Parking is available for fair visitors, but a verified total capacity and detailed overflow-parking map are not established here. Follow event signage and staff directions, especially during Friday and Saturday evenings when attendance may be heavier.

The fair’s published schedule identifies EMS coverage provided by the El Dorado Fire Department. A complete current inventory of accessible parking, paved routes, accessible restrooms, ATMs, and first-aid locations is not confirmed. Visitors with specific mobility or medical needs should contact the organizers in advance.

On-site camping and RV hookups have not been confirmed. Anyone planning to stay overnight should arrange accommodation separately unless the fair association explicitly announces camping for a future event.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendor booths

The Union County Fair accepts commercial vendors and publishes vendor information through its official contact page. The listed contact for commercial vendors is Debbie Lewis, at 870-814-2817; text message is preferred.

Prospective vendors should ask for the current application, booth fees, space dimensions, setup schedule, electricity availability, insurance requirements, and rules governing products or services. The 2026 vendor process should not be assumed to carry forward unchanged to 2027.

Competitive exhibits and livestock entries

People entering livestock, poultry, rabbits, or home economics exhibits should start with the current fair catalog and department schedule. Entry deadlines and receiving times differ by category, and some judging takes place before the public can view the entries.

Livestock exhibitors should verify health documentation, animal identification, weigh-in requirements, eligible classes, and showmanship rules. Home economics exhibitors should confirm when items must be delivered, whether tags must be collected beforehand, and when entries can be picked up after judging.

The Union County Cooperative Extension office can help families find agricultural and 4-H guidance, but the fair association’s current catalog governs the event’s entry rules.

Getting to Union County Fairgrounds

Driving to El Dorado

The fairgrounds are on East 19th Street in El Dorado. Visitors coming from downtown El Dorado should use current navigation to reach the fairgrounds entrance and follow event signs as they approach.

Travelers from other southern Arkansas communities can use regional routes into El Dorado, including US Highway 82 and US Highway 167, depending on their starting point. Visitors coming from farther away should allow additional time for fair traffic and follow any temporary directions provided by the organizers.

Public transportation and rideshare

A dedicated fair-week shuttle or public-transit service has not been confirmed. Rideshare availability may vary, particularly near closing time. If relying on a pickup, agree on a meeting point and confirm the driver can reach the designated entrance or drop-off area.

4-H and FFA at Union County Fairgrounds

Extension support and youth agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service’s Union County office supports 4-H and agricultural education. It provides information and educational resources for young people and families interested in livestock, agriculture, and related programs.

The current number of active 4-H clubs and a definitive list of FFA chapters participating in the fair have not been confirmed here. Families should contact the Extension office or local school agriculture programs for current participation details.

Junior livestock shows and auctions

The 2026 schedule included a 4-H livestock show and a junior livestock auction. These activities give young exhibitors a chance to demonstrate animal care, recordkeeping, showmanship, and preparation.

Anyone interested in the next junior auction should check the annual livestock schedule for the sale time, eligible animals, bidder requirements, and payment arrangements. Buyers should also ask how the sale proceeds are handled and whether animals are sold by weight, lot, or another method. Those details should not be assumed without the current rules.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

The fairgrounds’ best-documented recurring public use is the Union County Fair, with its livestock shows, carnival, exhibits, and evening entertainment. The property also supports pageant activities and other events scheduled around fair week.

A regular calendar of gun shows, flea markets, swap meets, rodeos, motocross, ATV competitions, or touring concerts has not been verified. Community groups or outside promoters interested in using the property should contact the fair association about availability, rental terms, insurance, parking, permitted activities, and cleanup responsibilities.

History of Union County Fairgrounds

The Union County Fair has a long history in El Dorado and continues to bring together local exhibitors, agricultural families, community groups, and visitors. The 2026 event was promoted as the 86th Union County Fair, marking its place as an established annual gathering in southern Arkansas.

The fair’s program reflects its agricultural roots through livestock judging, poultry and rabbit competitions, junior showmanship, and other youth activities. Home economics exhibits and commercial booths broaden the event beyond livestock, while carnival rides and evening entertainment help draw families who may not be entering competitions.

A precise founding year for the fairgrounds, a complete property history, attendance records, and a verified chronology of cancellations or major renovations are not established in the current public information. Claims about record attendance, famous visitors, or specific historical disruptions should be checked against fair-association records or local newspaper archives before being presented as fact.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Union County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been announced. The 2026 Union County Fair ran September 22–26. Check the fair association’s schedule for the next year’s confirmed dates.

Where is Union County Fairgrounds located?

Union County Fairgrounds is located at 1430–1432 East 19th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

What time do Union County Fairgrounds open?

Hours depend on the fair day and activity. In 2026, the public fair opened at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and at 1 p.m. Saturday. The next schedule may differ.

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

The 2026 gate admission was $7. School-aged children were admitted free on Saturday under the published Kids’ Day policy. Carnival wristbands had separate prices.

Are there livestock shows at the Union County Fair?

Yes. The 2026 program included a 4-H livestock show, junior livestock judging, poultry and rabbit activities, and beef, dairy, swine, sheep, and goat classes.

How do I enter livestock in the Union County Fair?

Read the current fair catalog and livestock schedule, then follow the listed registration, health, identification, and check-in requirements. The Union County Extension office at 870-864-1916 can help direct families to agricultural and 4-H information.

Are dogs allowed at Union County Fairgrounds?

A current household-pet policy has not been confirmed here. Ask the fair association before bringing a dog; rules for pets may differ from rules for livestock or service animals.

Where do visitors park at Union County Fairgrounds?

Follow signs and directions from fair staff. A detailed current parking-capacity figure and overflow map have not been confirmed, so allow extra time during busy evening events.

Who do I contact about renting Union County Fairgrounds?

Contact the Union County Fair Association to ask about facility availability, rental fees, insurance, and permitted uses. Do not assume that livestock areas or exhibit buildings are available for private bookings.

How do I apply for a commercial vendor booth?

Contact the fair’s commercial-vendor representative, Debbie Lewis, at 870-814-2817; text message is preferred. Ask for the current application, fees, setup rules, and deadlines.

Where can I find upcoming Union County fair events?

Check the Union County Fair Association’s official website and event schedule for fair dates, livestock shows, vendor information, admission policies, and daily updates.