Entertainment Nightly *Express Clydesdales *Expanded Junior Livestock Auction
BENTONVILLE, AR — The 118th Annual Benton County Fair returns to the fall season September 27 through Oct. 1, 2022 and welcomes Miller Spectacular Shows from Greenbrier AR to the midway. The state-fair quality carnival will provide expanded amusement rides for all ages, in addition to traditional games and concessions. The Express Clydesdales will bring a team of giant draft horses and a beautiful horse-drawn coach to entertain fair exhibitors, providing education and experiences with the equine team. The Benton County Fair will also offer numerous livestock shows, home arts, horticulture and agronomy exhibits as county residents compete for top honors including grand champion, reserved champion and best of show awards. The fair will conclude Saturday, Oct 1 with the Junior Livestock Premium Auction with a buyer’s dinner at 5pm proceeding the bidding. This year, the sale committee plans an exciting online addition to the auction where buyers can purchase locally raised beef from county youth for consumption or resale. To learn more about how to participate visit Pasture to Plate on Facebook or check out the fair book page 14. In 2021, the auction raised over $137,000 benefiting 125 participating youth directly. Premium auctions provide exhibitors the opportunity to keep their livestock exhibit animal. With the addition of the Pasture to Plate program, youth are learning about direct-to-consumer marketing and purchases, and the community can reward future producers for their success in raising locally grown food.
Nightly entertainment with live music will begin around 6pm Tuesday-Friday, and around 4pm Saturday. The Benton County Fair welcomes exciting new musical performances including:
- Tuesday, September 27: Take Cover
- Thursday, September 29: Butler Creek Boys
- Friday, Sept. 30: Divas on Fire
- Saturday, Oct. 1: Kevin Upshaw and One Night Stand and Midnight South
Watch for updates about additional performers.
“We have a great event planned for this year’s fair,” said Mr. Ashley Hays, president, Benton County Fair Board. “We want to thank our sponsors and volunteers for their support and work year-round to plan the event. We look forward to welcoming residents from Benton County and throughout Northwest Arkansas and the region to the fair.”
Fair and Carnival admission is $10 Tuesday-Thursday beginning at 4pm and $15 Friday and Saturday beginning at 4pm. Ticketholders will have unlimited access to all rides (depending on height and weight standards).
View a digital copy of the fair book
Fair Schedule at a Glance
- Sept. 1 Most Exhibit Hall entries are due online
- Sept. 7-23 Exhibitors can pick up fair tags at the Benton County Extension Office
- Sept. 24 Horse Show, Pageant, Vendor Set Up and Exhibitor item drop off
- Sept. 25 Pageant
- Sept. 26 Vendor Set Up, talent show rehearsal,
- Sept. 27 Gates open 9am, Livestock check in, Food, Home Arts, Photography and other judging, Dairy Goat Show, Carnival starts 4pm $10, live entertainment and beer garden
- Sept. 28 Gates open 9am, Senior Citizen Day bingo/pageant, Express Clydesdales Coach Rides $5 AM Show, Rabbit, Dairy Showmanship, Market Hog shows, Carnival starts 4pm $10, live entertainment and beer garden
- Sept. 29 Gates open 9am, Breeding Beef Show, Lamb Show, Youth Shoot, Beef Showmanship, Beef Heifer and Steer Show, Express Clydesdales Coach Rides $5 PM Show, Carnival starts at 4pm $10, live entertainment and beer garden
- Sept. 30 Gates open at 9am, Super Showman, Express Clydesdales Coach Rides $5 AM Show, Goat Costume Contest, Talent Contest, Carnival starts 4pm $15, live entertainment and beer garden
- Oct. 1, Gates open 9am, Awards Ceremony, Express Clydesdales Coach Rides $5 PM Show, Buyers Dinner, Carnival starts 4pm $15, Live Entertainment and beer garden
Benton County Fair 2022 sponsors include: Walmart and Sam’s Club, McKee Foods Corporation, Simmons, Hefty, Heritage Tractor, Farm Bureau Benton County, Gatik, Morton Buildings, Marmic Fire and Safety.
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ABOUT THE BENTON COUNTY FAIR
BCFA, Inc. is a charitable tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the Benton County Fair is to provide the best county fair possible by providing a gathering place for all communities to showcase their products and skills. It creates educational, social, cultural, and economic opportunities to preserve and promote agriculture and traditions across the county. Operations of the fairground’s facilities are to serve the community by providing multipurpose use for both generating public and private events fostering economic development and quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. The Benton County Fair Board includes: Ashley Hays, president, Robert Smith, vice president, Charlene Newell, secretary and Treasurer, Clint Bowen, Charles Coffelt, Savannah Dickson, Wesley Evans, Brian Fipps, Jim Griffin, Chris Graves, Deb Lindsay, Frank Myers, Ken Myers, Jacob Payne and Dr. Duane Thomas, DVM.