Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule

Introduction

The Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule brings one of Southern Arizona’s largest annual community celebrations to the southeastern edge of Tucson each spring. Unlike many Arizona county fairs that take place in late summer or fall, the Pima County Fair is traditionally held in April, making it an important spring event for Tucson and the surrounding communities of Pima County.

The fair combines livestock exhibitions, 4-H and FFA projects, agricultural education, competitive arts and home exhibits, carnival rides, concerts, rodeo, demolition derby activities, food vendors, children’s attractions, and community performances. Its scale reflects the size and diversity of Pima County, where a major metropolitan area exists alongside ranchland, agricultural communities, desert landscapes, and long-standing Western traditions.

The 2026 Pima County Fair was scheduled for April 16–26, 2026, at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson. The fair’s published 2027 schedule identifies April 15–25, 2027 as the next fair dates. Because individual concerts, contests, livestock schedules, carnival promotions, and special attractions can change, visitors should use the annual program for the most specific daily information.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The Pima County Fairgrounds are located at 11300 South Houghton Road, Tucson, Arizona 85747, on the southeastern side of the Tucson metropolitan area. The location provides a large event setting that is very different from the compact downtown environment of central Tucson.

For the current published fair information, general admission has been listed at $13, with a reduced $8 admission for seniors age 55 and older and military members with military identification. Youth ages 6 through 10 have been listed at $8, while children age five and younger are free. Parking has been listed at $10. However, the fair’s own visitor information states that 2027 pricing is subject to publication, so these figures should not automatically be treated as the final 2027 prices.

Fair admission covers a broad range of attractions, but upgraded areas for concerts, rodeo, and demolition derby events can require separate tickets or upgrades. The fair has also offered carnival tickets and ride promotions separately from general admission.

The regular fair schedule opens at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, continuing until closing. Early-morning 4-H, FFA, livestock, and equestrian activities can begin before the main public gates open, with the Brekke Gate providing access for those participants and early visitors.

History and Origins

The history of the Pima County Fair reaches back to 1911, before Arizona became a state. The first Pima County Fair was held October 25–27, 1911, at Elysian Grove in Tucson. The original event grew from an agricultural and poultry exhibition and was intended to develop into a broader county fair.

The fair’s early history included several different locations and periods of interruption. The Southern Arizona Fair Association was formed in 1915 as organizers attempted to broaden the event’s reach throughout Southern Arizona. The fair tradition was affected by World War I, later changes in management, and the economic and social disruptions of the early twentieth century.

During the middle decades of the twentieth century, the fair became closely associated with livestock exhibitions and agricultural organizations in Southern Arizona. The event also developed relationships with the Tucson Rodeo and the Southern Arizona International Livestock Show.

The fair eventually moved to the present Houghton Road property. Pima County acquired and developed the site during the 1960s and early 1970s, and the fair moved to the current fairgrounds in 1972.

In 1975, the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc. was established as a nonprofit private corporation to operate the fairgrounds and Pima County Fair under an agreement with Pima County. That arrangement continues to shape the operation of the fairgrounds today.

The historical development explains why the modern Pima County Fair combines agricultural education and livestock traditions with large-scale entertainment. It is both a county agricultural fair and a major Southern Arizona event complex.

The Navajo County Arizona Fair Schedule and the Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule represent two distinct county-fair experiences shaped by different regions of Arizona. The Navajo County Fair in Holbrook emphasizes northeastern Arizona’s ranching and agricultural heritage through 4-H and FFA livestock projects, open-class competitions, rodeo performances, demolition derby action, carnival attractions, and community entertainment, while the Pima County Fair in Tucson combines livestock and youth agriculture with major concerts, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby events, educational exhibits, and large-scale family attractions. Comparing the Navajo County Arizona Fair Schedule with the Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule shows how Arizona fairs preserve agricultural and Western traditions while adapting their programs to the different landscapes, populations, and community character of northern and southern parts of the state.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Agriculture remains an important part of the Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule even though much of the county’s population lives in and around Tucson. The livestock barns provide a direct connection between urban visitors and the agricultural work carried out by 4-H, FFA, ranching, and farming families throughout Southern Arizona.

The fair’s livestock program includes junior and open divisions, with categories that can include beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, pigeons, rabbits, cavies, and other animals. Dairy goats and other specialized animal divisions have also appeared in the competitive program.

The junior livestock program is particularly important because exhibitors spend months developing their projects before bringing them to the fair. Youth participants learn animal care, feeding, grooming, record keeping, handling, showmanship, and responsibility.

The annual livestock auction gives community members an opportunity to support these young exhibitors directly. The auction is more than a sales event because it creates a connection between local agricultural education and businesses, families, and organizations willing to invest in youth programs.

Horse and equestrian activities also have an important place at the fairgrounds. The facility includes multiple arenas, barns, stalls, and equestrian areas that allow the property to support livestock and horse events throughout the year.

Fair Schedule Structure

The Pima County Fair Schedule is unusually long compared with many county fairs in Arizona. The main event runs for 11 days, creating a program that spreads livestock competitions, school activities, concerts, carnival attractions, contests, rodeo, and community entertainment across more than one weekend.

Weekdays generally begin at 3 p.m. for the main public fair, while weekend gates open at 11 a.m. Early-morning livestock and 4-H activities can begin at 9 a.m., allowing exhibitors to participate before the general public schedule begins.

The fair’s daily rhythm changes throughout the event. Morning and early afternoon hours are especially useful for families interested in animals, exhibits, educational activities, and less crowded conditions. Evenings bring larger crowds because of concerts, carnival rides, food vendors, and arena entertainment.

The fair also designates special days and programs for particular audiences. School field-trip activities, carnival wristband promotions, community performances, livestock programs, and special entertainment are scheduled separately from the basic gate schedule.

Because the Pima County Fair lasts much longer than many county fairs, visitors can choose between a quieter daytime visit and a busier evening experience.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

The carnival is one of the most visible features of the Pima County Fair. Ray Cammack Shows has been a long-term carnival partner, providing rides and midway entertainment for fair visitors.

The carnival includes Kiddie Land attractions for younger children as well as larger rides for older children and adults. Carnival tickets and wristband promotions are separate from the basic fair admission system, and special wristband days are scheduled during the fair.

The midway also includes games, food concessions, and a range of attractions that make the fair particularly appealing to families who may not be attending for livestock or agricultural exhibits.

Concerts are another major component of the fair. Performances take place on the fair’s main concert facilities, with upgraded seating or premium areas available for selected performances. The exact artist lineup changes from year to year, so visitors should consult the current concert schedule rather than relying on performers from a previous fair.

The fair also features community entertainment, children’s programs, educational displays, and local performers. This mixture gives the event a much broader entertainment program than a traditional livestock-centered county fair.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

The Pima County Fair provides substantial opportunities for residents to enter projects outside the livestock program. Competitive entries include creative work from artists, photographers, home cooks, bakers, crafters, students, and hobbyists.

Fine arts competitions provide categories for drawing, painting, handmade work, jewelry, photography, and related artistic projects. Home arts categories give residents opportunities to enter cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, home decoration, canning, and other practical skills.

Student art is another important department. The fair encourages young artists to display their work publicly and receive recognition for their projects.

Culinary competitions connect the fair to Southern Arizona’s home-food and food-preservation traditions. Depending on the year’s premium book, entries can include baked goods, prepared foods, preserves, and other home-produced items.

Open competitive programs can change from year to year. The 2027 fair’s competitive-entry information indicates that categories include culinary arts, fine arts, home arts, student art, open poultry, open pigeons, open dairy goats, and other specialized divisions.

Entry deadlines and requirements are different for each department, so exhibitors should use the current annual rules rather than assuming that a previous year’s deadline remains valid.

Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events

Motorsports have a particularly strong connection to the Pima County Fairgrounds. The property includes motorized-event facilities and has hosted racing and other automotive activities outside the annual fair.

The fair itself has traditionally incorporated a demolition derby as part of its arena entertainment. The current fair information continues to identify demolition derby programming, although specific 2027 details are still being developed.

Rodeo is another major arena attraction. The 2027 fair schedule identifies GCPRA Rodeo performances on April 24 and April 25, 2027, with admission to the rodeo included with regular fair admission. Premium seating and VIP upgrades are available separately.

The rodeo takes place at Manny’s Arena, one of the fairgrounds’ major equestrian and livestock facilities. The venue provides a setting for Western sporting events that connects the modern fair to Southern Arizona’s long history of ranching and horse culture.

Tractor pulls are not a consistently confirmed feature of the current fair schedule, so visitors should not assume that a tractor-pull competition will occur simply because other motorsport or arena events are scheduled.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agriculture is one of the strongest educational components of the Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule. The fair’s 4-H and FFA livestock barns allow visitors to see animals raised and cared for by young people from Pima County and the surrounding Southern Arizona area.

The educational value extends beyond the show ring. Young exhibitors learn animal husbandry, agricultural science, responsibility, record keeping, presentation skills, and public speaking.

The fair also incorporates agricultural education into activities designed for children who are not livestock exhibitors. Farmer Jon’s Learning Center has provided interactive agricultural experiences in Old Pueblo Hall, including demonstrations involving fruits and vegetables, a cow-milking activity, a tractor, composting, sheep wool, cow hide, chicks, seeds, and greenhouse education.

School field trips have also incorporated a STEAM Trail connecting science, technology, engineering, art and agriculture, and mathematics with exhibits and livestock barns. The program gives Tucson-area students an opportunity to encounter agriculture in a hands-on setting.

The livestock auction provides another direct connection between youth development and the community. Buyers can support exhibitors while learning more about the effort that goes into raising and preparing livestock projects.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The Pima County Fairgrounds form a 640-acre multi-use event complex in southeastern Tucson. The scale of the property is one of the most important differences between the Pima County Fair and many smaller Arizona county fairs.

The grounds include multiple exhibit buildings, concert and stage areas, livestock barns, equestrian facilities, arenas, outdoor exhibit spaces, picnic areas, RV facilities, camping areas, and motorized-event facilities.

The equestrian center includes covered and outdoor arenas, barns, hundreds of permanent and temporary stalls, and specialized horse-show facilities. Manny’s Arena, the Ramada Arena, North Arenas, and an indoor arena provide multiple configurations for equestrian, livestock, rodeo, and other events.

The fairgrounds also contain the Old Pueblo Conference and Event Center and Thurber Hall, providing indoor space for exhibits, educational activities, trade shows, meetings, and other community events.

The large outdoor concert facilities are another defining feature. The Arizona Super Stage can accommodate major outdoor events, allowing the fairgrounds to host concerts and festivals that require much more space than a typical county-fair stage.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

The Pima County Fairgrounds are located at 11300 South Houghton Road in Tucson, on the southeastern edge of the metropolitan area.

Visitors arriving from central Tucson can use Interstate 10 eastbound and exit toward Rita Road before following fair traffic signs. Visitors approaching from Vail can use Interstate 10 westbound and exit at Houghton Road.

Travelers from Rita Ranch can approach southbound Houghton Road, while visitors coming from Corona de Tucson or Sahuarita can use northbound Houghton Road and the designated fair approach through Dawn Road.

Because the fair attracts large crowds, traffic conditions can change considerably during concerts, weekends, and other high-attendance periods. Arriving earlier in the day can make parking and entry easier.

The fair uses multiple parking areas, including the Blue, Red, and Green lots. Shuttle transportation has operated within the parking areas during designated afternoon and evening periods.

Re-entry is available through the fair’s hand-stamp system, which can be useful for visitors who want to leave the grounds temporarily and return later in the same day.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The size of the Pima County Fair creates opportunities for exhibitors, volunteers, performers, vendors, commercial businesses, community organizations, and educational groups.

Competitive-entry programs allow residents to contribute artwork, photographs, culinary projects, home arts, livestock, poultry, agricultural projects, and student work. Volunteers are also needed for judging and support roles associated with the competition departments.

Community performers and organizations can participate in entertainment and stage programming. The fairgrounds’ multiple stages and large event spaces allow the fair to feature more local and regional participants than many smaller county fairs.

Commercial vendors and food concessions are another important part of the fair. Businesses interested in participating should use the current year’s fair application process because vendor requirements, space assignments, insurance requirements, fees, and deadlines can change.

The fairgrounds also operate as a year-round event property, so opportunities extend beyond the annual fair into horse shows, trade shows, festivals, RV events, community gatherings, and other activities.

Economic and Community Impact

The Pima County Fair has a significant economic role in the Tucson region because of its size and length. An 11-day fair brings large numbers of residents and visitors to southeastern Tucson, creating demand for food, fuel, transportation, entertainment, retail purchases, and other services.

The economic activity also extends to businesses that supply the fair itself. Carnival operators, food vendors, exhibitors, contractors, performers, livestock participants, commercial vendors, and event workers all contribute to the temporary economic ecosystem surrounding the fair.

The fairgrounds’ year-round operation adds another layer to this impact. The same property hosts equestrian competitions, livestock activities, concerts, trade shows, motorized events, RV gatherings, and community programs outside fair season.

For Pima County residents, the fair also serves as an important civic gathering. Families can visit livestock barns, students can display artwork, agricultural organizations can educate the public, local performers can appear on community stages, and businesses can interact directly with residents.

The educational impact is especially significant in a county where most residents live in an urban environment. Programs such as Farmer Jon’s Learning Center and the STEAM Trail give Tucson-area children practical exposure to agriculture, livestock, environmental education, and food production.

Comparing the Pima County Fair to Nearby Fairs

The Pima County Arizona Fair Schedule stands apart from many Arizona county fairs because of its combination of metropolitan scale, agricultural education, livestock programming, major concerts, carnival entertainment, rodeo, and motorsport attractions.

The Cochise County Fair in Douglas offers a more southeastern Arizona ranching and agricultural environment, with livestock, 4-H and FFA activities, open-class exhibits, rodeo-related entertainment, and community competitions.

The Graham County Fair in Safford has a strong Gila Valley agricultural identity. Its program emphasizes livestock, horticulture, youth projects, horse activities, local entertainment, a parade, carnival attractions, and major arena events.

The Pinal County Fair provides another useful comparison because Pinal County also combines agriculture with a large population center. Its fair program reflects the agricultural communities between Phoenix and Tucson while serving a rapidly growing population.

The Maricopa County Fair in Phoenix operates in an even more metropolitan environment. It combines 4-H and FFA programs, livestock competitions, creative exhibits, agricultural mechanics, carnival rides, entertainment stages, and arena attractions.

Pima County’s fair is distinctive because its 640-acre grounds allow agricultural, equestrian, educational, entertainment, and motorized activities to coexist within one enormous event complex. Its spring timing also separates it from the many Arizona county fairs traditionally held between late summer and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Pima County Arizona Fair?

The 2026 Pima County Fair was scheduled for April 16–26, 2026. The published 2027 schedule identifies April 15–25, 2027, for the next fair.

What are the hours of the Pima County Fair?

The main fair gates generally open at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, continuing until closing. Early 4-H, FFA, livestock, and equestrian activities can begin at 9 a.m. through the designated Brekke Gate.

Where is the Pima County Fair held?

The fair takes place at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 South Houghton Road, Tucson, Arizona 85747.

How much does the Pima County Fair cost?

Published admission information has listed general admission at $13, senior and military admission at $8, youth admission for ages 6–10 at $8, and free admission for children age five and younger. Parking has been listed at $10. The fair has stated that 2027 pricing was not yet available, so visitors should verify the final 2027 prices before purchasing tickets.

Is parking available at the Pima County Fair?

Yes. The fairgrounds provide multiple parking areas, including Blue, Red, and Green lots. Shuttle transportation has operated within the parking areas during designated periods. Parking fees can change by year.

Can visitors bring outside food and drinks?

The fair’s rules vary depending on the location and activity. Outside food restrictions are particularly important around animal areas, where food and beverages are not permitted in livestock barns and ramadas. School field-trip visitors have had separate arrangements for sack lunches. Visitors should review the current prohibited-items and food policies before arriving.

How can I enter a competition at the Pima County Fair?

Residents can enter qualifying projects through the fair’s competitive-entry program. Categories can include fine arts, photography, culinary arts, home arts, student art, livestock, poultry, pigeons, dairy goats, and other departments. The annual premium book and entry forms provide the current deadlines and requirements.

Are children welcome at the Pima County Fair?

Yes. Children are a major part of the fair audience. The event includes Kiddie Land carnival rides, children’s educational programs, agricultural exhibits, livestock activities, student art, the Read and Ride literacy program, family facilities, and youth competitions.

Children ages 6–14 must be accompanied by an adult when entering upgraded concert areas, and children age five and younger are not permitted in those upgraded concert areas.

Are pets allowed at the Pima County Fair?

Visitors should not assume that household pets are permitted throughout the fairgrounds. Animal and livestock areas have specific safety and health requirements. Service animals are subject to applicable accessibility rules, while ordinary pets may be restricted. Visitors with animals should confirm the current fair policy before attending.

Does the Pima County Fair have a demolition derby?

Yes. Demolition derby programming is part of the fair’s arena tradition, although specific dates, times, seating arrangements, and upgrade details can change. The current 2027 fair information identifies demolition derby programming but states that additional details are still being developed.

Does the Pima County Fair have a rodeo?

Yes. The 2027 schedule identifies GCPRA Rodeo performances on April 24 and April 25. Rodeo admission is included with regular fair admission, while premium seating and VIP upgrades are available separately.

Who organizes the Pima County Fair?

The Pima County Fair is operated by the Southwestern Fair Commission, Inc., a nonprofit private corporation established in 1975 by Pima County to operate the fairgrounds and annual fair.

Is camping available at the Pima County Fairgrounds?

Yes. The fairgrounds include RV and camping facilities. During the 2027 fair, the RV park and campgrounds are reserved for registered 4-H, FFA, and open families participating in the fair, with advance registration required. Availability and site assignment are subject to the fair’s current rules.

What happens if the weather affects the fair?

The fair generally operates as scheduled in a range of weather conditions, but individual attractions and outdoor events can be affected by severe conditions. The fair’s ticket policies indicate that tickets are generally sold on a rain-or-shine basis and are final and non-refundable. Visitors should check current fair announcements if significant weather is expected.

What makes the Pima County Fair different from other Arizona county fairs?

The Pima County Fair is distinguished by its 11-day spring schedule, 640-acre fairgrounds, large livestock and 4-H program, major carnival midway, concerts, rodeo, demolition derby, equestrian facilities, agricultural education programs, and proximity to metropolitan Tucson. It combines the traditions of a county agricultural fair with the scale of a major Southern Arizona entertainment event.

Is the Pima County Fair held every year?

The fair has a long annual tradition dating to 1911, although its historical record includes periods when the event was canceled or interrupted. The modern fair operates as a major annual April event at the Houghton Road fairgrounds.

Can I visit the Pima County Fair without attending a concert or rodeo?

Yes. Regular fair admission provides access to the broader fairgrounds and its attractions. Visitors can spend their time exploring livestock barns, exhibits, competitive entries, agricultural education displays, carnival areas, food vendors, community activities, and other fair attractions without purchasing an upgraded concert or arena ticket.