FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Fair will be held Aug. 30 – Sept. 8 at the Crown Complex. The annual event celebrates Cumberland County’s agricultural heritage and combines family fun, informative agricultural exhibits, a diverse collection of local arts and crafts, and entertainment with exciting rides and fair food.
The Fair opens Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. See the schedule below for admission prices and specials. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $30 per person. Individual ride tickets are also available for purchase. For more information about the Cumberland County Fair exhibits, entertainment, vendors and schedule, go to cumberlandcountyfair.org. View or download the official fair program book from the website and follow the fair on social media at Facebook.com/CCFairNC.
2024 Cumberland County Fair schedule and special days:
- Friday, Aug. 30 – Gates open at 5 p.m.
- FREE ADMISSION for Military and First Responders with valid ID
- Saturday, Aug. 31 – Gates open at 1 p.m.
- Cumberland County Fair Pageant
- Sunday, Sept. 1 – Faith & Family Day; Gates open at 1 p.m.
- $5 off by presenting church bulletin at box office
- Monday, Sept. 2 – Sensory Friendly Time 1 – 3 p.m.; Regular admission 3 p.m.
- 1 – 3 p.m., limited rides with no music and lights
- Regular fair operations resume after 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 3 – $2 Tuesday, Gates open at 5 p.m.
- $2 Fair admission
- Karaoke Contest
- Senior Night – Free entry for individuals 65 and older
- Wednesday, Sept. 4 – BOGO Night; Gates open at 5 p.m.
- Buy One, Get One (BOGO) admission
- Unlimited Ride Wristbands BOGO
- B & B Concessions BOGO (hot dogs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, fried Oreos)
- Hula Hoop Contest
- Thursday, Sept. 5 – Second Harvest Food Bank ‘Day of Giving’; Gates open at 5 p.m.
- Free admission with six non-perishable food items per person
- 4-H & FFA Day – Free admission for card holders
- School kids & personnel day - $2 admission with school ID
- Karaoke Finalist Contest
- Friday, Sept. 6 – Gates open at 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 7 Gates open at 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 8 – Faith & Family Day; Gates open at 1 p.m.
- $5 off by presenting church bulletin at box office
The week of County Fair fun include rides, livestock shows, games and a daily lineup of live music. Ember Fire Arts, a fire arts performance, will perform nightly.
The fair food lineup includes turkey legs, corn dogs, funnel cakes and freshly squeezed lemonade. There will be more than 20 food trucks present including local establishments.
Fair Pageant
The Cumberland County Fair Pageant will be Aug. 31. For registration, rules and more information, go to cumberlandcountyfairpageant.com.
Exhibits Contest and Junior Livestock Shows
Exhibit entries will be accepted Aug. 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for 4-H, seasonal entries, clothing, arts and crafts, handicrafts, canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, baked goods, floriculture, agriculture and horticulture. Judging will be Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Junior Livestock Show dates and times are as follows:
- Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.: Junior Laying Hen
- Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.: Market Lambs
- Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.: Meat Goats
- Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.: Beef Heifers
The annual “Little Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic for children ages 2 to 4 years old will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. This clinic provides youth with an opportunity to learn the process and techniques of showing livestock to encourage future livestock show participation. Ribbons will be awarded. The deadline to register is Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. Contact Liz Joseph at 910-321-6862 to pre-register.
The Youth Livestock Show and Sale will be Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
To learn more, purchase tickets, and see expanded schedules for about the Cumberland County Fair, visit cumberlandcountyfair.org.