Winston County Alabama Fair Schedule
The Winston County Alabama Fair Schedule is connected with Double Springs, the county seat of Winston County in northwest Alabama. The fair combines traditional carnival entertainment with the community-oriented character of a small Appalachian foothills county, bringing residents together for rides, food, special events, and charitable activities.
Winston County has a distinctive identity within Alabama. Known historically as the “Free State of Winston,” the county is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and includes large areas of the William B. Bankhead National Forest. Its economy has historically moved from small-scale farming toward cattle, poultry, timber, manufacturing, and other rural industries.
The most recent detailed local report located for the fair is from 2024. That edition was held April 23–28 in the Seymour-Bevill Ball Field area of Double Springs. Online 2026 listings give conflicting dates, however, and no current official 2026 fair schedule with confirmed dates was located. Visitors should therefore verify the current announcement before making travel plans.
Fair Overview and Fast Facts
The Winston County Fair is held in Double Springs, Alabama, and has been associated with the Seymour-Bevill recreational and ball-field area. The event has been organized as a community-oriented fair rather than simply a commercial carnival.
The 2024 edition was scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, through Sunday, April 28. Weekday hours were reported as 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday hours were noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday hours were 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The 2024 fair charged $5 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and under, with unlimited ride armbands reported at $15–$20 depending on the day and promotion. These prices are historical and should not be presented as the admission prices for 2026 or 2027.
The fair also had a charitable purpose. Community organizations could participate in activities such as gate assistance and parking, with proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations in Winston County.
History and Origins
Winston County was established in 1850 from territory that had previously been part of Walker County. It was initially named Hancock County before being renamed Winston County in 1858 after Alabama Governor John A. Winston.
Double Springs became the county seat in the nineteenth century after residents voted to move the county seat toward the geographical center of Winston County. The town developed around its courthouse and became the administrative center of the surrounding rural communities.
The county’s unusual Civil War history is an important part of its local identity. Winston County opposed Alabama’s secession movement, leading to its long-standing nickname, the “Free State of Winston.” The story remains part of the historical character of Double Springs and the surrounding communities.
The county fair operates within this broader community tradition, providing a modern gathering place for residents while supporting local organizations and family activities.
Visitors researching Alabama county fairs can compare the Wilcox County Alabama Fair Schedule with the Winston County Alabama Fair Schedule to explore how communities in different parts of the state celebrate their local agricultural heritage and traditions. Reviewing both schedules can help fairgoers discover differences in seasonal entertainment, family activities, agricultural exhibits, community events, and the unique character of fairs in Wilcox and Winston counties.
Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows
Agriculture remains part of Winston County’s history even though the county’s modern economy is strongly connected to forestry, manufacturing, poultry, cattle, and other industries.
Historical farming in the county included small-scale agricultural operations rather than the large plantation agriculture associated with parts of central and southern Alabama. Over time, row crops and cotton became less important, while cattle and poultry production developed into significant agricultural activities.
Alabama agricultural data has documented substantial poultry and cattle production in Winston County. These local industries provide an appropriate agricultural background for county-fair exhibitions.
However, a current 2026 Winston County Fair livestock schedule or premium book was not located. Specific cattle, poultry, livestock, horticultural, or agricultural competitions should therefore be confirmed with the current organizers rather than assumed from statewide fair programs.
Fair Schedule Structure
The Winston County Fair has not followed one permanently fixed annual calendar. Recent documented editions have taken place in the spring.
The 2023 fair ran from April 17 through April 23, while the detailed 2024 local report placed the fair from April 23 through April 28. This establishes a recent spring-fair pattern in Double Springs.
Current online directories are inconsistent about the 2026 Winston County Fair. One listing associates the event with an April–May period, while another gives a later August–September period. Because these listings conflict and an official 2026 schedule was not located, neither date range should be treated as confirmed.
For 2026–2027 planning, the safest approach is to verify the current fair announcement for the opening date, closing date, daily hours, and special-event schedule.
Entertainment, Rides, and Midway
Carnival rides are a major part of the modern Winston County Fair. The 2024 fair included attractions such as a swinging ship, Silver Streak, Zipper, Ferris wheel, and Sizzler, along with additional rides and food vendors.
The 2023 edition was reported to have approximately 23 rides, including Hurricane, Zipper, Roundup, and Ballistic. The ride lineup therefore changes from year to year as new attractions are brought to Double Springs.
Food is another important part of the fair experience. The 2023 event included vendors offering traditional fair food as well as less typical options such as fried alligator and shrimp-based dishes.
The 2026 ride and food-vendor lineup has not been reliably confirmed, so older attraction lists should be viewed as examples of previous editions rather than promises about the current fair.
Open Class and Amateur Competitions
The available recent coverage focuses more heavily on rides, food, community participation, and charitable activities than on a formal open-class exhibition program.
That does not mean residents cannot have agricultural, craft, school, or community involvement. Winston County has active Extension programming covering agriculture, horticulture, animal sciences, food safety, and related subjects.
A current 2026 premium book or competition guide was not located, however. Entry categories, deadlines, judging procedures, and prize amounts should therefore be confirmed before preparing an exhibit.
Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events
A demolition derby is not confirmed as part of the current Winston County Fair schedule.
Likewise, no reliable current announcement was found confirming a tractor pull, truck pull, or other major motorsport attraction for the 2026–2027 fair.
This distinction matters because county fairs in Alabama often have very different entertainment programs. The Winston County Fair’s recent documented programs have concentrated on carnival rides, food, community participation, and charitable activities rather than a confirmed annual demolition derby or tractor pull.
4-H and FFA Youth Programs
Youth participation is an important part of Winston County’s agricultural and community environment. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System maintains a Winston County office in Double Springs and provides local programming that includes Alabama 4-H.
The Winston County Extension Office is located in the John Nichols Building at 24714 Highway 195 in Double Springs. Its current Extension staff includes specialists working with Alabama 4-H, animal sciences and forages, agronomic crops, horticulture, food safety, and farm and agribusiness management.
These programs provide a local connection between youth education, agriculture, and community events. Specific 2026 Winston County Fair 4-H or FFA competitions were not confirmed, so participants should check with their school or Extension representatives for current opportunities.
Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout
Recent local reporting places the Winston County Fair in the Seymour-Bevill Ball Field area of Double Springs. The 2023 report specifically identified Seymour-Bevill Recreational Park on Highway 195, while the 2024 report referred to the Seymour-Bevill Ball Field area.
The venue is suited to a community fair because Double Springs already uses its recreational facilities for sports and public activities. The fair transforms the area temporarily into a carnival and community-event setting.
A detailed 2026 grounds map showing individual ride areas, food vendors, parking, entrances, and activity zones was not located. Visitors should check the current event information for the exact layout.
Getting There: Directions and Logistics
Double Springs is located in the central part of Winston County in northwest Alabama. U.S. Highway 278 is the county’s principal east-west transportation route, while Alabama Highway 195 provides an important north-south connection through Double Springs.
The Seymour-Bevill recreational area is associated with Highway 195, making the location accessible from the center of town and surrounding Winston County communities.
Double Springs is approximately 35 miles west of Cullman and is surrounded by the forested landscape of the William B. Bankhead National Forest. Visitors coming from Haleyville, Addison, Arley, Natural Bridge, Cullman, Jasper, or other nearby communities should check current road and fairground instructions before traveling.
Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities
Community participation is one of the defining characteristics of the Winston County Fair. During the 2024 edition, local charitable organizations were invited to participate in the event and were assigned opportunities to benefit from particular fair days.
The 2023 fair similarly relied on nonprofit organizations for activities such as parking and gate assistance. In return, participating organizations received financial support based on fair attendance.
Food vendors, merchandise sellers, community groups, and charitable organizations can therefore play an important role in the fair’s operation. The exact 2026 vendor fees, application deadlines, booth requirements, and nonprofit participation arrangements were not verified.
Economic and Community Impact
The Winston County Fair has a direct community role because it provides nonprofit organizations with opportunities to raise money while bringing residents together for entertainment.
The 2024 fair was sponsored by Community Unity and the Town of Double Springs, according to local reporting. Community Unity described the event as part of its effort to bring residents together through shared activities.
This community focus fits Double Springs’ broader pattern of local festivals and gatherings. Frontier Days, held annually at Double Springs Elementary School, similarly combines local history, food, crafts, music, games, rides, and community participation.
The fair also brings temporary business activity to Double Springs through carnival operations, food vendors, merchandise sellers, and visitor spending.
Comparing Winston County Fair to Nearby Fairs
The Winston County Fair has a distinctly northwest Alabama character. Its location in Double Springs places it within the forested Appalachian foothills rather than the agricultural Black Belt or coastal areas of the state.
Its recent documented programs have emphasized carnival rides, food, family entertainment, nonprofit fundraising, and community activities. This gives the event a somewhat different profile from larger Alabama fairs that operate extensive livestock barns, large agricultural competitions, or major commercial exhibition halls.
Winston County’s location also makes the fair part of a broader northwest Alabama event network that includes fairs and festivals in nearby Walker, Cullman, Marion, Lawrence, and Franklin counties. Visitors interested in attending several county events can compare their schedules to see how the entertainment and agricultural traditions vary across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates and hours of the Winston County Alabama Fair?
The most recent detailed local schedule found was for 2024, when the fair ran April 23–28. The 2024 hours were 5–10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday, and 2–6 p.m. Sunday. Current 2026 online listings conflict, so the 2026 dates and hours should be verified before attending.
Where is the Winston County Alabama Fair held?
Recent editions have been held in the Seymour-Bevill Ball Field or Seymour-Bevill Recreational Park area of Double Springs. The 2023 report identified the recreational park on Highway 195. Confirm the current entrance and event location before traveling.
How much does it cost to attend the Winston County Alabama Fair?
The 2024 admission was reported as $5 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and under. Unlimited ride armbands varied from $15 to $20. These are historical prices and should not be assumed to be the 2026 rates.
Is there free parking at the Winston County Alabama Fair?
Recent editions used local organizations to help with parking, but a confirmed 2026 parking policy was not located. Visitors should check the current event announcement for parking instructions and any applicable charges.
Can I bring my own food and drinks into the Winston County Alabama Fair?
The current outside-food and beverage policy was not verified. Since the fair has food vendors on site, visitors should check the current rules before bringing outside food or drinks.
How do I enter an item in competition at the Winston County Alabama Fair?
A current 2026 competition or premium book was not located. Anyone interested in agricultural, horticultural, craft, school, or other competitions should contact the fair organizers or Winston County Extension for current entry information.
Is the Winston County Alabama Fair appropriate for young children?
Yes, recent editions have included family-oriented rides, food, and community activities. The fair has also offered children’s admission pricing and rides for different age groups. Parents should review current ride restrictions before attending.
Are pets allowed at the Winston County Alabama Fair?
A current general pet policy was not verified. Visitors should check the fair’s current rules before bringing an animal. Service animals are subject to applicable accessibility requirements.
Does the Winston County Alabama Fair have a demolition derby?
A demolition derby is not confirmed as part of the current Winston County Fair program. Visitors should rely on the current official entertainment schedule rather than assuming a motorsport event is included.
Who organizes the Winston County Alabama Fair?
The 2024 fair was reported as being sponsored by Community Unity and the Town of Double Springs, with Alabama Fairs involved in operating the carnival. The exact organizing arrangement for 2026 was not independently confirmed.
Is there camping available at the Winston County Alabama Fair fairgrounds?
Fairground camping was not confirmed. Winston County does have substantial outdoor recreation, including camping opportunities in and around the William B. Bankhead National Forest, but those facilities should not be assumed to be fairground camping.
What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?
A specific 2026 weather-cancellation policy was not located. Because the Winston County Fair is primarily an outdoor event, severe weather can affect rides and other activities. Visitors should check the current organizer’s announcements for postponements, closures, or schedule changes.