Dallas County Alabama Fair Schedule
The Dallas County Alabama Fair Schedule (2026–2027) is a useful guide for anyone planning to attend the Central Alabama Fair in Selma, Alabama. Hosted by the Selma Lions Club at Lions Fair Park, the fair brings together carnival attractions, agricultural exhibits, community activities, competitions, food, entertainment, and family-oriented events. For 2026, the Alabama Fairs Association lists the Central Alabama Fair for November 2–7, 2026, while the official Selma Lions Club website has published its 2026 exhibit premium books. Because a complete daily 2026 entertainment schedule has not yet been published on the official fair website, visitors should verify individual event times, admission prices, and carnival details before traveling.
Dallas County Alabama Fair 2026: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fair name | Central Alabama Fair |
| County | Dallas County, Alabama |
| City | Selma, Alabama |
| 2026 dates | November 2–7, 2026 |
| Location | Lions Fair Park |
| Address | 2401 West Dallas Avenue, Selma, AL 36701 |
| Organizer | Selma Lions Club |
| Fair manager | Russell Haskell |
| Fair manager phone | 334-267-6189 |
| Carnival | C & M Southern Midways |
| 2027 dates | Not yet confirmed in the sources reviewed |
The Alabama Fairs Association’s 2026 listing gives the November 2–7 dates, the Lions Fair Park location, the Selma Lions Club as sponsor, Russell Haskell as fair manager, and C & M Southern Midways as the carnival provider.
When Is the Dallas County Alabama Fair in 2026?
The 2026 Central Alabama Fair is scheduled for Monday, November 2 through Saturday, November 7, 2026. The fair takes place at Lions Fair Park on West Dallas Avenue in Selma.
The 2026 dates are listed by the Alabama Fairs Association. However, the Selma Lions Club’s public website currently provides more detailed day-by-day information for the 2025 fair than for 2026. Therefore, visitors should distinguish between the confirmed 2026 fair dates and individual activities whose 2026 times have not yet been published.
This is especially important for admission prices, ride wristbands, special entertainment, pageants, and other daily attractions.
Where Is the Central Alabama Fair Held?
The fair is held at:
Lions Fair Park
2401 West Dallas Avenue
Selma, Alabama 36701
Lions Fair Park is the home of the Central Alabama Fair and is located in Selma, the county seat of Dallas County.
The official Selma Lions Club identifies the physical location as 2401 West Dallas Avenue. Visitors planning their trip should use the current fair information and local traffic directions when traveling to the grounds.
History of the Central Alabama Fair
The Central Alabama Fair has a long connection with the Selma Lions Club and Dallas County.
According to the Selma Lions Club’s history, the organization was established in 1947 and hosted the first Dallas County Industrial Show on September 13, 1951, at Memorial Stadium. The Central Alabama Fair Association was subsequently organized as interest in local agricultural fairs increased.
The first Central Alabama Fair was held in 1956 in a tent at Bloch Park. After rainy seasons created difficulties, the fair moved to the National Guard Armory in 1958.
The Lions Club later purchased land adjacent to the Armory in 1968. After the National Guard moved to a new facility, the old Armory property eventually became associated with the Lions Club. In 1995, the Lions Club successfully obtained the old Armory building, and the entire property became known as Lions Fair Park.
The fair has therefore developed from an agricultural and industrial exhibition into a broader community event featuring exhibits, competitions, carnival attractions, entertainment, and activities for families.
Readers comparing Alabama county fair traditions can explore the Dale County Alabama Fair Schedule for information about fair activities, carnival attractions, community events, agricultural traditions, and family entertainment in southeast Alabama. For another regional fair experience, the Dallas County Alabama Fair Schedule provides details about the Central Alabama Fair in Selma, including its long-running history, exhibits, competitions, carnival activities, and community programs, making both resources useful for discovering different county fair traditions across Alabama.
Carnival Rides and Midway
Carnival rides are one of the most recognizable parts of the Central Alabama Fair. The Alabama Fairs Association’s 2026 listing identifies C & M Southern Midways as the carnival provider.
The official Selma Lions Club history also notes that the fair has worked with carnival operators for many years. Its historical information states that Archway Amusements provided carnival rides beginning in 1967.
For 2026, however, the current official listing identifies C & M Southern Midways. Visitors should check the latest information from the fair organizers for:
- Ride wristband prices
- Individual ride ticket prices
- Height requirements
- Carnival operating hours
- Any special ride promotions
- Weather-related changes
These details should not be assumed from previous years because fair pricing and carnival arrangements can change annually.
Agricultural Exhibits and Fair Competitions
Agriculture remains an important part of the Central Alabama Fair’s identity. The fair grew from the region’s agricultural and industrial exhibition tradition, and the Selma Lions Club continues to publish premium books for exhibitors.
For 2026, the official website has published both:
- 2026 General Rules
- 2026 Adult Premium Book
- 2026 Youth Premium Book
The fair website specifically advises exhibitors to check every division and class because some categories have been deleted while others have been changed.
This makes the official 2026 premium books particularly important for anyone planning to enter an exhibit. Rather than relying on an older year’s categories, exhibitors should use the current rules and premium books.
Adult and Youth Exhibits
The Central Alabama Fair provides separate information for adult and youth exhibitors. The premium system listed on the official website states:
- 1st Place – $10
- 2nd Place – $7
- 3rd Place – $5
The exact divisions and classes should be checked in the 2026 premium books because the fair organization notes that categories have changed.
Youth participation is especially relevant to families, students, and agricultural organizations in Dallas County and surrounding communities.
Family Activities and Entertainment
The Central Alabama Fair combines its agricultural foundation with traditional fair entertainment.
Typical fair experiences may include carnival rides, food vendors, exhibits, competitions, and community activities. The 2025 official schedule also included special activities such as a rabbit show, a children’s day, a community program, and beauty pageants.
However, those individual 2025 activities should not automatically be presented as part of the 2026 schedule. The fair’s 2026 date is listed, but a complete 2026 daily event schedule has not yet been published on the official Selma Lions Club schedule page reviewed for this article.
Visitors should therefore check the organizer’s website for updates as the November 2026 fair approaches.
Beauty Pageants and Miss Central Alabama
Beauty pageants have been part of the Central Alabama Fair program.
The Selma Lions Club’s published 2025 information described the Miss Central Alabama pageant as being open to contestants from the Central Alabama area. It included several age divisions, along with photogenic and People’s Choice categories.
The 2025 pageant program included:
- Tiny Miss
- Little Miss
- Young Miss
- Jr. Miss
- Miss Central Alabama
- Photogenic categories
- People’s Choice categories
The 2025 information should be treated as a previous-year example rather than a confirmed 2026 schedule. Anyone interested in entering the 2026 pageants should wait for the current registration rules and dates from the Selma Lions Club.
Kids and Community Activities
The Central Alabama Fair has historically included activities designed specifically for children and families.
For example, the 2025 schedule listed a Kids Day, during which K–12 students could receive reduced admission with a canned-goods donation. The 2025 schedule also included other family and community activities.
Whether the same arrangement will be offered in 2026 has not yet been confirmed in the official sources reviewed.
Food and Fair Vendors
Fair food is an important part of the traditional experience. Visitors can generally expect the combination of carnival attractions, food, exhibits, and community activities associated with a regional fair.
Potential offerings can include familiar fair foods and refreshments, but specific 2026 vendors and menus should be confirmed closer to the event.
The same applies to commercial vendors and exhibitors. Vendor participation can change from one year to another, so businesses interested in participating should contact the Selma Lions Club rather than relying on an old vendor list.
Dallas County Fair and Local Agriculture
Dallas County is part of Alabama’s Black Belt region, where agriculture has played an important role in the area’s history and economy.
The Central Alabama Fair reflects that connection by maintaining agricultural exhibits and competitions alongside modern carnival and entertainment attractions. The fair provides an opportunity for residents to display agricultural, creative, educational, and community-related work.
Its premium books also provide a structured way for adults and young people to participate in competitions.
Role of the Selma Lions Club
The Selma Lions Club is more than simply the organization behind the fair. According to the club’s official history, proceeds from the Central Alabama Fair are returned to the local community.
The club lists support for causes including:
- Eye examinations
- Eyeglasses for people in need
- Eye-related operations
- Salvation Army support
- Boy Scouts
- Boys and Girls Ranches
- United Methodist Children’s Home
- Dallas County Rescue Squad
- Other charitable organizations in Selma and Dallas County
The club states that supporting the Central Alabama Fair helps it continue both the fair and its community service activities.
Central Alabama Fair Schedule: What to Expect
The complete 2026 daily schedule should be checked as the fair approaches. The fair normally operates across six days, beginning Monday and continuing through Saturday.
The 2025 schedule provides an example of the general structure:
Monday:
Opening-day activities and carnival attractions.
Tuesday:
Fair activities plus special programs and competitions.
Wednesday:
Midweek family and community activities.
Thursday:
Carnival, exhibits, food, and other fair attractions.
Friday:
Evening fair activities and carnival attractions.
Saturday:
Extended daytime and evening activities, including special programs and pageants when scheduled.
These descriptions are based on the fair’s previous schedule structure and should not be interpreted as the official 2026 daily timetable.
2026 Fair Planning Guide
If you are planning to attend the Dallas County fair in 2026, consider the following:
Check the official date
The Alabama Fairs Association lists the 2026 fair for November 2–7, 2026.
Check daily activities
Individual entertainment and special-event times may be announced separately by the Selma Lions Club.
Check admission prices
Do not assume that 2025 admission prices will remain the same in 2026.
Check carnival pricing
C & M Southern Midways is listed for 2026, but ride pricing and wristband information should be confirmed directly with the fair.
Check exhibit rules
Anyone entering an exhibit should use the 2026 Adult or Youth Premium Book, because the organizers have specifically noted changes to divisions and classes.
Arrive prepared
Popular evening periods can attract more visitors, so families should allow extra time for parking, admission, rides, food, and exhibits.
Getting to Lions Fair Park
The Central Alabama Fair is held at 2401 West Dallas Avenue in Selma.
The location places the fair within the city of Selma and makes it accessible to Dallas County residents and visitors from surrounding communities.
Before traveling, check current navigation information and any temporary traffic or parking instructions released by the fair organizers.
Volunteer and Community Participation
Community organizations are an important part of local fairs. The Central Alabama Fair has a long history of involvement by the Selma Lions Club and community participants.
Organizations, exhibitors, vendors, and individuals interested in participating should contact the fair organizers for the current requirements rather than relying on previous-year information
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