Cullman County Alabama Fair Schedule

Introduction

The Cullman County Fair is one of the long-running community events in Cullman County, Alabama, bringing together agriculture, livestock, youth programs, competitive exhibits, carnival rides, entertainment, pageantry, and local community organizations. The 2026 fair is scheduled for October 15 through October 24, 2026, at the Cullman County Fairgrounds at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman, Alabama 35055. The fair serves Cullman and surrounding North Alabama communities and remains closely connected to the county’s agricultural identity.

Cullman County has a strong agricultural and farm-business tradition, with Alabama Cooperative Extension System programs in the county covering agronomic crops, horticulture, farm and agribusiness management, forestry, and 4-H. That agricultural background is reflected directly in the fair’s field-crop, vegetable, fruit, honey, flower, plant, livestock, and youth exhibition departments.

The 2026 edition also introduces several changes to the exhibit program. Plants and flowers are returning after several years away from the competition program, the baking competition has been moved to October 14, one day before the public opening, and the fair has added a Dairy Goat costume contest.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The 2026 Cullman County Fair runs Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 24, 2026. The primary venue is the Cullman County Fairgrounds at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW in Cullman. The official fair office lists 256-734-0661 and 256-734-0339 for fair information.

The fair is associated with the Cullman County Fair Association, while the Cullman Lions Club has historically played a central organizational and fundraising role. The fair’s commercial-vendor information identifies the Cullman County Fair Association as the organization receiving booth-rental payments.

Admission and ride pricing are structured separately. The official fair site advertises a $30 All-In-One Pass that combines fair admission with unlimited rides. The pass represents a stated $40 non-weekend or $45 weekend value and was available through noon on October 8, 2026, subject to limited availability. Children 9 and under receive free fair admission, although rides are not included.

The carnival midway is operated by Kissel Entertainment. Kissel’s 2026 schedule lists $30 unlimited-ride wristbands on October 15, October 19, and October 20–22, while wristbands are $35 on October 16–18 and October 23–24. Individual ride tickets are listed at $2 each or 20 for $40.

The fairgrounds contain separate areas for the main exhibits and livestock. The official exhibitor information places canning, baking, sewing, handicrafts, art, photography, and youth-club exhibits in the main Exhibit Building across from the Fair Office, while animals are housed in the Livestock Barn.

History and Origins

The Cullman County Fair’s history reaches back to the mid-1950s. The Cullman Lions Club’s own history records that the club was organized in November 1954 and that the first Cullman County Fair was held in October 1955, with Dillard Johnson serving as general manager and organizer.

The fair developed as more than an entertainment event. It became an important fundraising activity for the Cullman Lions Club, helping support the organization’s sight-related work and community projects. Over the decades, the event expanded beyond agricultural displays into a large public fair featuring rides, food, pageants, livestock, youth activities, competitive exhibits, and entertainment.

The fair’s agricultural identity has remained important even as Cullman County has changed economically. Historical accounts of Cullman County emphasize the importance of poultry and agriculture to the local economy, and the fair continues to provide dedicated departments for crops, honey, horticulture, livestock, and youth agricultural projects.

The fairgrounds themselves have also developed over time. The Cullman Lions Club history records a long-term lease arrangement with Cullman County and later financial support for improvements to the fairgrounds. In 2018–2019, for example, the club recorded a $44,000 contribution to the Cullman Fair Association for repaving.

For readers interested in Alabama county fair events, the Crenshaw County Alabama Fair Schedule provides another opportunity to explore local agricultural exhibits, family entertainment, livestock activities, community events, and traditional fair attractions. If you are also planning to attend a North Alabama fair, the Cullman County Alabama Fair Schedule offers a similar look at seasonal competitions, carnival rides, youth activities, pageants, and community celebrations, making both fairs useful references for comparing Alabama’s county-fair traditions.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Agriculture is built into the structure of the 2026 Cullman County Fair. The official competition program includes Field and Garden Crops and Honey, with additional contests for scarecrows and decorated pumpkins. The return of the Flowers and Plants department is one of the notable changes for 2026.

Livestock competitions include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pets. The goat department is particularly notable in 2026 because the fair has added a Dairy Goat costume contest. Livestock exhibitors use the Livestock Barn, while non-livestock exhibits are displayed in the main Exhibit Building.

The 2026 exhibit program requires exhibitors to obtain current-year stickers before submitting their entries. Exhibitors must register online or at the Fair Office, and the official rules state that exhibits and livestock cannot be accepted without the required current stickers. Three stickers are required per exhibit or animal entered.

The agricultural entries are not simply decorative displays. Judging provides a formal way for growers, gardeners, livestock exhibitors, and youth participants to demonstrate the quality of their work. Department-specific rules establish the requirements and premium systems for individual competitions.

Cullman County’s agricultural connection is also supported by Alabama Cooperative Extension System programming. The Cullman County Extension Office has personnel working in agronomic crops, farm and agribusiness management, horticulture, and Alabama 4-H. Those programs provide an important agricultural and educational connection between local families and the county’s fair activities.

Fair Schedule Structure

The public fair itself begins on Thursday, October 15, 2026, and continues through Saturday, October 24. The available 2026 schedule confirms the midway’s operating pattern rather than publishing one complete public event timetable for every day.

Kissel Entertainment lists the midway opening at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, for Kids Day. Closing times are described as “until close,” and the operator states that operating hours can change because of weather, crowd size, or other conditions.

Several important activities occur before and during the public fair. Competitive exhibits begin arriving before opening day, allowing judges to evaluate entries before visitors view the displays.

For 2026, the main non-livestock exhibit schedule is particularly important:

Handicraft, sewing, canning, photography, and art entries can be submitted on Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional submission periods are scheduled for October 11, October 12, and October 13 depending on the department.

Baked goods have a special 2026 deadline because the baking contest has been moved to Wednesday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Agricultural entries, including field crops, vegetables, fruit, honey, scarecrows, decorated pumpkins, flowers, and potted plants, are scheduled for October 14 from noon to 5 p.m.

Exhibit judging is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the judging area closed to the public during that period.

The fair also includes a parade program, pageantry, senior programming, livestock and youth activities, and the carnival midway.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

Kissel Entertainment provides the 2026 carnival midway at the Cullman County Fair. The midway includes rides, games, and food concessions, with both individual ride tickets and unlimited-ride wristbands available.

The 2026 ride schedule is particularly useful for families planning their visit. Unlimited-ride wristbands are listed at $30 on Thursday, October 15; Monday, October 19; Tuesday, October 20; Wednesday, October 21; and Thursday, October 22. The price increases to $35 on Friday through Sunday, October 16–18, and Friday and Saturday, October 23–24.

The midway is cashless in 2026. Kissel Entertainment says its ride ticket booths, games, and food concessions accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. A reverse ATM is available for converting cash into a prepaid Mastercard, although money placed onto that card cannot be converted back into cash.

Entertainment beyond the rides includes the Fido 5 performing dogs, Snickers the mind-reading pony, and veteran circus clown Elmo Gibb, with multiple shows scheduled during the fair. A farm-animal petting zoo is also scheduled daily.

For older visitors, Wednesday, October 21, is Aveanna Home Health & Hospice Senior Citizens Day. Seniors receive free admission from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

The Cullman County Fair has a substantial open-exhibit program that allows residents to compete without being professional agricultural producers or artists.

The 2026 departments include home-canned foods, baked foods, sewing and clothing, flowers and plants, art, handicrafts, amateur photography, field and garden crops, honey, scarecrows, and decorated pumpkins. Youth and school-related exhibits are also represented through FCCLA, 4-H, and FFA exhibition departments.

The competitive structure gives residents an opportunity to display work completed throughout the year. A home gardener can enter produce or flowers, a photographer can submit photographs, a home cook can enter baked goods, and a crafter can submit handmade work.

The judging process varies by department. The fair’s rules and department documents establish individual requirements and premium structures rather than applying one universal judging formula to every category.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agricultural education has an established place in the Cullman County Fair. The official 2026 exhibit program specifically includes FCCLA, 4-H and FFA exhibition booths, alongside separate livestock categories.

Alabama 4-H programs in Cullman County are supported through the local Alabama Cooperative Extension System office. Statewide Alabama 4-H projects include agriculture-related activities such as poultry, gardening, and livestock-oriented learning. These projects emphasize practical skills, record keeping, responsibility, animal care, and presentation.

The connection between youth projects and the fair is particularly relevant because the fair provides a public setting where young participants can demonstrate the results of their work. Livestock exhibitors must follow the fair’s separate animal-registration requirements, while youth club exhibits are displayed in the main Exhibit Building.

The 2026 official materials confirm the presence of 4-H and FFA exhibition categories, but they do not establish a 2026 junior livestock auction or a specific auction schedule. Therefore, those events should not be assumed to be part of the 2026 fair unless the organizers publish confirmation.

Miss Cullman County Fair Pageant

The Miss Cullman County Fair Pageant is one of the fair’s established civic and youth traditions. The 2026 pageant is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Theater.

Representatives from Cullman County’s eight public high schools, Cullman Christian School, and Cullman County Home School compete. The 2026 winner receives a $3,000 scholarship, paid to the school in which she enrolls, as well as a diamond pendant from Doug Doggett Jewelers.

The first alternate receives a $2,000 scholarship, while the second alternate receives a $1,000 scholarship. Wallace State College provides a leadership scholarship to the winner of the talent portion, and the Cullman Lions Branch Club awards $200 for Miss Congeniality.

The official 2026 page identifies Jillian Zapka as Miss Cullman County Fair 2026.

Fair Parade

The fair’s parade provides another community component separate from the carnival midway. For 2026, parade registration opened at the Fair Office at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, and closed at noon Wednesday, September 23.

The registration fee is $25 per entry. The fair’s official site provides a 2026 parade entry form and route information.

The parade tradition is closely connected to Cullman civic organizations, schools, churches, businesses, clubs, and other community groups. Historical coverage of earlier fairs shows the parade attracting a broad range of local organizations.

Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events

A demolition derby or tractor pull should not automatically be included in the 2026 Cullman County Fair schedule simply because these events are common at other Alabama county fairs.

The official 2026 Cullman County Fair materials reviewed for this schedule do not confirm a 2026 demolition derby or tractor pull. Consequently, there is no verified 2026 registration process, vehicle class structure, purse, or event date to report.

This distinction is important for visitors planning their trip. The 2026 confirmed program emphasizes the carnival midway, exhibits, livestock, entertainment, pageantry, youth programs, and special days. Any motorsport event should be treated as unconfirmed until the Fair Association publishes it.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The Cullman County Fairgrounds are located at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW in Cullman. The grounds contain the principal fair exhibition and livestock facilities, with the carnival midway occupying another major portion of the event area.

The Main Exhibit Building houses canning, baking, sewing, handicrafts, art, photography, and youth-club exhibits. The official exhibitor information states that non-livestock exhibitor stickers can be registered for and collected at the Main Exhibit Building.

Animals are housed separately in the Livestock Barn, providing a dedicated area for cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other animal entries.

The fairgrounds have been used for the event for decades, and the Cullman Lions Club’s historical records document long-term investment in the grounds, including a later contribution toward repaving.

The official 2026 information reviewed does not provide a detailed map identifying every restroom, food facility, accessible parking space, or RV campsite. Visitors with specific accessibility or mobility needs should therefore contact the Fair Office before attending rather than relying on assumptions about the facilities.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

The fairgrounds are in Cullman, the county seat of Cullman County, on Sportsman Lake Road NW. Cullman is positioned along major north-south transportation routes in North Alabama, making the fair accessible from surrounding communities as well as from the larger Birmingham and Huntsville areas.

For visitors unfamiliar with the area, using 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman, AL 35055 as the navigation destination is the most reliable approach.

Traffic can become heavier around the fairgrounds during evening hours, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when the midway is operating and attendance is typically higher. Visitors attending with young children may find an earlier arrival easier because it allows time to locate parking and enter before the evening crowd builds.

The fair’s 2026 midway information confirms operating hours but does not publish a dedicated shuttle system. A shuttle should therefore not be assumed to be available.

The fair’s current official ticket information also does not provide a new 2026 parking fee. The fair’s 2025 official page specifically advertised free parking, but that is a previous-year statement and should not be treated as a separately confirmed 2026 policy without current confirmation.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The Cullman County Fair depends heavily on community participation beyond ticket sales and carnival rides. Its history with the Cullman Lions Club and its competitive exhibit program creates opportunities for local residents, schools, civic groups, exhibitors, and commercial businesses to participate.

Commercial vendors are explicitly welcomed by the Fair Association. The 2026 vendor information states that a booth rental agreement is required and that spaces are arranged through the Fair Office. The listed fee is $200 for an unmanned booth and $300 for a manned booth.

The fair’s commercial-vendor page states that annual attendance tops 40,000 visitors. This is an organizer-provided attendance figure rather than an independently audited attendance count.

The fair gives previous commercial vendors an initial opportunity to retain their spaces. The published vendor information says those booths are held until September 19 before being released to the waiting list.

Food concessions have a separate arrangement because the midway and Cullman Lions Club have designated food operations. Businesses considering participation should therefore contact the Fair Office rather than assuming that a normal commercial booth can be used as a food concession.

Community members interested in volunteering should likewise contact the Fair Association or Cullman Lions Club directly, because a comprehensive 2026 volunteer application schedule was not identified in the published materials.

Economic and Community Impact

The Cullman County Fair has historically served both an economic and civic purpose. Its agricultural competitions provide a public setting for the county’s farming community, while its carnival, entertainment, food concessions, commercial vendors, and pageantry bring residents and visitors into Cullman during the fair period.

The fair’s economic role is especially relevant in a county with a longstanding agricultural economy. Poultry, crops, livestock, horticulture, and farm-related businesses form part of the area’s agricultural identity, and the fair gives those activities a visible public platform.

Commercial participation also connects the event to local business activity. The Fair Association reports annual attendance of more than 40,000 visitors, although this is an organizer-provided figure rather than a current independent attendance study.

Historically, the fair has also generated funds for community work through its association with the Cullman Lions Club. The Lions Club’s history describes the fair as an important project and records later financial support for community organizations, parks, and other local initiatives.

The fair therefore functions on several levels at once: agricultural exhibition, family entertainment, youth education, civic fundraising, and a recurring gathering point for Cullman County residents.

Comparing Cullman County Fair to Nearby Fairs

Cullman County’s fair takes place within a busy North Alabama fall-fair season.

The Blount County Fair, held in Cleveland, Alabama, is scheduled for September 15–19, 2026, several weeks before the Cullman County Fair. Its 2026 program includes livestock activities, a horse show, and Show Me Swine Racers.

The DeKalb County VFW Agricultural Fair in Fort Payne is scheduled for October 16–24, 2026, overlapping almost exactly with the Cullman County Fair. Its program includes agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, 4-H activities, entertainment, and a carnival midway.

The proximity of the DeKalb fair is significant for North Alabama fair-goers because visitors interested in agricultural competitions can encounter two major county-fair programs during the same period.

Cullman’s distinguishing feature is its combination of a long-established Lions Club tradition, substantial competitive exhibit program, livestock departments, youth involvement, pageantry, commercial vendors, and the Kissel Entertainment midway. Its 2026 program also includes specific local traditions such as the Miss Cullman County Fair Pageant and the fair parade.

2026–2027 Schedule Outlook

The confirmed fair dates currently available are for 2026: October 15–24. The use of “2026–2027” in this guide should not be interpreted as confirmation that the next Cullman County Fair will run in 2027 on the same dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and hours of the Cullman County Fair?

The 2026 Cullman County Fair runs October 15–24, 2026. Kissel Entertainment lists the midway opening at 5 p.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 1 p.m. on Monday, October 19, for Kids Day. The midway operates until close, with hours subject to weather and other operational changes.

Where is the Cullman County Fair held?

The fair is held at the Cullman County Fairgrounds, 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman, Alabama 35055.

How much does it cost to attend the Cullman County Fair?

The official fair site advertises a $30 All-In-One Pass that includes fair admission and unlimited rides. Children age 9 and under receive free fair admission, but the free admission does not include rides.

Kissel Entertainment separately lists unlimited ride wristbands at $30 on selected dates and $35 on other dates. Individual ride tickets are $2 each or 20 for $40.

Is there free parking at the Cullman County Fair?

The 2025 official fair page advertised free parking, but the current 2026 materials reviewed do not provide a separately confirmed parking statement. Visitors should verify the parking arrangement with the Fair Office before attending if parking cost is important to their plans.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the Cullman County Fair?

The reviewed 2026 official materials do not publish a clear general policy allowing or prohibiting visitors from bringing outside food and drinks. Because the midway food operation is managed by Kissel Entertainment and its concessions are cashless, visitors with dietary or medical requirements should contact the Fair Office before arriving.

How do I enter an item in competition at the Cullman County Fair?

First, register as an exhibitor online or through the Fair Office and obtain the required current-year exhibitor stickers. The fair requires stickers for both exhibits and livestock.

The exact submission period depends on the department. For example, baking entries are accepted October 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, while agricultural entries are accepted that afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. The official department rules should be checked before bringing an entry.

Is the Cullman County Fair appropriate for young children?

Yes, the published 2026 program includes several activities specifically suited to families, including a daily farm-animal petting zoo, performing dogs, a mind-reading pony, carnival rides, and Kids Day on October 19.

The fair also offers free admission for children 9 and under, although rides require separate payment unless included with an All-In-One Pass or wristband.

Are pets allowed at the Cullman County Fair?

The fair has a Pets exhibition department, but that refers to competition/exhibition animals and does not establish a general policy permitting visitors to bring household pets onto the grounds. The reviewed 2026 materials do not publish a general visitor-pet policy. Visitors should contact the Fair Office before bringing a pet.

Does the Cullman County Fair have a demolition derby?

A 2026 demolition derby has not been confirmed in the official materials reviewed. It should not be listed as part of the 2026 schedule unless the Fair Association subsequently announces one.

Who organizes the Cullman County Fair?

The event is associated with the Cullman County Fair Association, while the Cullman Lions Club has played a central role in organizing and fundraising for the fair throughout its history.

Is camping available at the Cullman County Fair fairgrounds?

The current 2026 official materials reviewed do not advertise RV or campground facilities at the fairgrounds. Visitors requiring overnight accommodation should arrange lodging elsewhere unless the Fair Office confirms temporary camping arrangements.

What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?

The official Kissel Entertainment schedule states that midway operating hours can change because of weather, crowd size, or other conditions. However, a specific 2026 fair-wide cancellation and refund policy was not identified in the published materials reviewed. Weather-related decisions should therefore be confirmed through the Fair Association’s official channels before traveling.

Important 2026 Planning Dates

The main public fair takes place October 15–24, 2026, but participants need to plan earlier if they intend to enter competitions.

The major confirmed dates include the exhibit submission periods beginning October 10, the final agricultural and baking entries on October 14, exhibit judging on October 15, the public fair opening on October 15, Kids Day on October 19, the Miss Cullman County Fair Pageant on October 20, and Senior Citizens Day on October 21.

The 2026 fair parade registration ran from September 8 through September 23, with a $25 entry fee.

The $30 All-In-One Pass was available through noon October 8, subject to availability.