Woodson County Kansas Fairgrounds Events

Woodson County Fairgrounds serves as a gathering place for agricultural exhibitors, 4-H families, local organizations, and residents of Woodson County, Kansas. Located in Yates Center, the county seat, the grounds host the annual Woodson County Fair, where youth and open-class exhibitors display livestock, handmade projects, food entries, and other work developed throughout the year.

The fairgrounds address is commonly listed as 711 South Fry Street, Yates Center, Kansas 66783. The Woodson County Fair Association organizes the fair and coordinates opportunities for 4-H and open-class exhibitors. The association can be reached at 620-625-8620 for fair-related questions.

The grounds include facilities for livestock exhibitions, indoor project displays, community gatherings, and equestrian activities. The 4-H Community Building and Bressner Building are also available for rental through the county. Exact acreage, building dimensions, and total seating capacity are not established here and should not be assumed.

For Woodson County residents, the fair provides a practical connection between rural livelihoods and community life. Livestock projects, agricultural skills, home economics, and youth achievement all have a place in the annual event.

Upcoming Events at Woodson County Fairgrounds

The main annual attraction is the Woodson County Fair, held in July. Its program includes livestock shows, static exhibits, youth competitions, and community activities. Other events depend on the fair association, facility availability, and arrangements made by outside organizers.

Finding the current event schedule

The 2026 fair was scheduled for July 17–20, 2026. Since those dates have passed, visitors looking for upcoming events in November 2026 or planning for 2027 should confirm the next schedule with the Woodson County Fair Association or the Southwind District extension office.

The published fair book is the most useful guide for show times, registration requirements, entry categories, and daily activities. Separate arrangements may apply to building rentals and private events.

Events outside fair week

The fairgrounds’ facilities can accommodate community meetings, organizational gatherings, and other suitable activities. Livestock and horse-related events are consistent with the site’s agricultural purpose, although individual dates must be confirmed before making plans.

Visitors should not assume that the grounds regularly host demolition derbies, gun shows, motocross events, or traveling concerts. Such events require specific confirmation rather than being treated as part of the established annual schedule.

The Woodson County Fair

Typical fair season: Mid-to-late July

The Woodson County Fair is the central annual event at the fairgrounds. Its 2026 schedule ran from July 17 through July 20, with the wider fair-related program and cleanup activities extending into July 21 in the published fair book. Dates for the 2027 fair should be confirmed when the next schedule is announced.

Livestock and competitive exhibits

The fair offers young exhibitors an opportunity to demonstrate animal care, preparation, and showmanship. Published schedules and fair materials identify several livestock and project categories, including:

• Beef cattle, dairy cattle, and bucket calves.
• Swine, sheep, and goats.
• Poultry and rabbits.
• Horse classes and equestrian activities.
• Photography, horticulture, entomology, and family and consumer sciences.
• Food preparation and other static exhibits.
• Open-class entries for eligible community participants.

The precise classes, age requirements, animal health rules, and judging arrangements are governed by the applicable fair book. Exhibitors should read those rules before transporting animals or submitting projects.

Carnival, food, and entertainment

The fair’s documented program includes activities such as a pedal pull, watermelon feed, a concert at the Saddle Club Horse Arena, a cornhole tournament, and Barnyard Olympics. These scheduled activities offer entertainment alongside the agricultural competitions.

A traveling carnival, a particular number of rides, and wristband prices should not be assumed without confirmation for the relevant year. Similarly, food vendors and nonprofit concession stands may vary. Visitors should check the current program for food availability, evening activities, and any admission requirements.

Admission and parking

Current admission charges, parking fees, senior discounts, and season-pass arrangements are not confirmed here. Check with the fair association before traveling if you need to establish the cost of entry or whether a specific activity has a separate charge.

Facilities and Grounds

The Woodson County Fairgrounds brings livestock and indoor exhibits together in one agricultural event setting.

Exhibition buildings and livestock areas

Livestock areas support animal check-in, pen assignments, weighing, and judging. The fair’s rules include specific arrangements for open-class livestock pens and poultry and rabbit pens. Availability and reservation procedures can differ by species, so exhibitors should contact the appropriate superintendent or fair office before arriving.

Explore Woodson County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for details about county fairs agricultural displays livestock competitions and community gatherings. Visitors can also check Wilson County Kansas Fairgrounds Events for more Kansas fairground information.

The 4-H Community Building provides space for community and fair-related uses. The Bressner Building is another facility available for rental through the county. Published schedules also identify the Saddle Club Horse Arena as a venue for equestrian-related activities and fair entertainment.

Accessibility, parking, and visitor amenities

Parking arrangements, accessible entrances, restroom locations, first-aid availability, and any temporary traffic controls should be confirmed for the event being attended. Fair-week arrangements may differ from those used for ordinary building rentals.

Visitors bringing young children or older relatives should plan for walking between indoor exhibit spaces and outdoor livestock areas. During July, Kansas heat can make water, shade, comfortable footwear, and breaks particularly important.

Camping hookups, on-site RV capacity, ATMs, and shuttle services have not been confirmed. Do not assume overnight camping is permitted simply because the site hosts agricultural events.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Woodson County Fairgrounds supports both competitive exhibits and the commercial or community activities that may accompany fair week.

Commercial vendors

Businesses, food vendors, craft sellers, and organizations interested in participating should contact the Woodson County Fair Association at 620-625-8620. Ask about available spaces, booth dimensions, fees, insurance requirements, electrical access, setup hours, and any restrictions on the goods or services being sold.

Do not arrive expecting a booth to be available without advance approval. Space assignments and application deadlines depend on the event and its organizers.

Competitive entries and premium books

The annual fair book explains entry categories, judging procedures, deadlines, and rules for eligible exhibits. The 2026 fair used online registration for 4-H entries, with registration listed from June 15 through July 1.

People planning to exhibit in 2027 should obtain the new fair book rather than relying on previous deadlines. Open-class exhibitors should also check whether their category requires advance registration, reserved pens, or delivery of entries during a specific time window.

Getting to Woodson County Fairgrounds

Directions to the grounds

Yates Center is the county seat of Woodson County and the main reference point for reaching the fairgrounds. Visitors traveling from within the county should use Yates Center as their destination and follow local directions to South Fry Street.

U.S. Highway 54 and U.S. Highway 75 are important regional routes for reaching the Yates Center area. Drivers coming from nearby communities should confirm their preferred approach using current road directions, particularly if temporary traffic controls are in place during fair week.

The grounds are associated with the South Fry Street address, while some older event descriptions refer more generally to the fairgrounds near U.S. Highway 75. Confirm the destination before departure if a navigation service displays conflicting addresses.

Public transportation and drop-off

Regular public transportation or dedicated fair shuttles have not been confirmed. Rideshare availability may also be limited in this rural area. Visitors meeting family members or arranging a drop-off should agree on a safe location that does not obstruct livestock trailers, emergency access, or fair traffic.

4-H and FFA at Woodson County Fairgrounds

Youth education is a central part of the Woodson County Fair. The Southwind District of Kansas State University Extension provides fair resources and supports the 4-H program, including project guidance, exhibit requirements, and livestock-related preparation.

Woodson County 4-H members can use the fair to demonstrate skills developed through animal projects, food and nutrition, photography, horticulture, and other learning activities. Static exhibits allow young people to present completed projects for evaluation, while livestock shows test animal preparation, handling, and showmanship.

FFA participation may also be relevant for students involved in agricultural education at local schools, but specific participating chapters should be confirmed for each year’s program.

Junior livestock sale

The published 2026 program included a buyers’ meal, 4-H awards presentation, and premium sale on July 19. Families considering participation should distinguish the premium sale from an ordinary auction: the applicable rules explain how animals or exhibitor awards are handled and what buyers are purchasing or supporting.

Potential buyers should contact the fair association for the current sale procedure, eligibility, payment arrangements, and any meat-processing requirements. The 2026 fair information included special instructions for beef and hogs going to Woodson County Prime Meats.

Special Events Beyond the Annual Fair

Although the July county fair is the main annual attraction, Woodson County Fairgrounds also has facilities that can serve community groups throughout the year.

Community gatherings and private rentals

The county identifies the 4-H Community Building and Bressner Building as rental venues for meetings and events. Organizations interested in reserving space should contact the Woodson County Clerk to ask about availability, rental conditions, fees, and facility rules.

Agricultural and equestrian activities

Livestock demonstrations, horse-related activities, and other agricultural gatherings fit the fairgrounds’ established purpose. The Saddle Club Horse Arena has been used for scheduled fair activities, including the 2026 concert program.

Dates for flea markets, swap meets, gun shows, rodeos, demolition derbies, and seasonal festivals should be verified individually. These activities should not be presented as recurring Woodson County events without a confirmed announcement.

History of Woodson County Fairgrounds

Woodson County’s agricultural identity developed alongside the growth of its rural communities and farms. The county was established on August 25, 1855, and Yates Center eventually became the county seat following earlier changes in the location of county government.

The Woodson County Fair continues this agricultural tradition by giving young people and adults a public setting in which to present livestock, food products, crafts, photography, and other projects. The fair also brings together families, buyers, volunteers, and residents who may not otherwise meet through their daily work.

The exact year the fairgrounds were established, the original acreage, and a detailed timeline of building construction have not been confirmed here. Likewise, specific historical attendance records, notable visitors, and past cancellations should not be stated without documentary evidence.

The annual fair book provides a useful record of changing competitions and community activities. Comparing editions over time can help document how livestock classes, educational projects, and entertainment have evolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Woodson County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been confirmed here. The 2026 Woodson County Fair was scheduled for July 17–20, so visitors should check the next annual schedule before making travel arrangements.

What time does Woodson County Fairgrounds open?

Opening times depend on the event. Livestock check-in, exhibit delivery, judging, and evening entertainment may each have different schedules. Consult the current fair book for daily times.

Where is Woodson County Fairgrounds located?

The fairgrounds are in Yates Center, Kansas, at the commonly listed address of 711 South Fry Street, Yates Center, KS 66783.

Is camping available at Woodson County Fairgrounds?

On-site camping availability and RV hookups have not been confirmed. Contact the fair association before planning to stay overnight. Visitors can also investigate camping options elsewhere in Woodson County.

How do I enter livestock in the Woodson County Fair?

Obtain the current fair book, review the animal eligibility and health requirements, and complete the required registration. The Southwind District Extension office can provide guidance on 4-H entries and applicable deadlines.

Are dogs allowed at Woodson County Fairgrounds?

The current animal-entry and visitor rules should be checked before bringing a dog. Livestock areas may have additional restrictions, and permission to bring a household pet should not be assumed.

Where do I park at Woodson County Fairgrounds?

Follow event-day parking instructions and any temporary signs or directions from fair staff. Confirm accessible parking and trailer arrangements with the organizers if you have specific needs.

How much does admission to the Woodson County Fair cost?

Admission prices and any activity-specific charges should be confirmed for the relevant year. Do not rely on an older listing for current fees or free-admission policies.

Who do I contact to rent the fairgrounds?

For facility rental information, contact the Woodson County Clerk. The county identifies the 4-H Community Building and Bressner Building as available rental spaces.

How can I become a vendor at the fair?

Contact the Woodson County Fair Association at 620-625-8620 to ask about applications, available spaces, fees, setup requirements, and deadlines.

Does Woodson County Fair include 4-H competitions?

Yes. The fair’s published program includes 4-H livestock shows and project judging, with categories such as beef, dairy, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, photography, horticulture, and family and consumer sciences.

Are events held at the fairgrounds outside July?

The buildings can be rented for meetings and other approved activities, and additional agricultural or community events may take place during the year. Specific dates and availability must be confirmed with the organizers.