Home Grown and Renowned Musicians Deliver Entertainment Nightly
BENTONVILLE, AR — The 119th Annual Benton County Fair is September 26-30, 2023, and will open with 2008 American Idol Winner David Cook performing Tuesday, Sept. 26 in the evening from the Michelob Ultra Music Stage. Fairgoers will enjoy all the traditional livestock shows, exhibits and food, in addition to a robust schedule of live music all week while Miller Spectacular Shows from Greenbrier AR returns to the midway. The state-fair quality carnival will provide expanded amusement rides for all ages, in addition to traditional games and concessions.
Friday, Sept. 29 Arkansas Native singer/songwriter Heath Sanders will perform his unique style of heartfelt inspired red-dirt country, and Saturday, Sept. 30 now Gravette-based musicians the Reeves Brothers will headline. Matt and Cole are getting national attention for their honky-tonk inspired sound and song writing. Watch for updates online and in social media about additional live music. Benton County Fair Talent Show contestants will also perform individually on the outdoor music stage nightly to open for the headlining performers.
The fair will conclude Saturday, Sept. 30 with the Junior Livestock Premium Auction including a buyer’s dinner at 5pm proceeding the bidding. Premium auctions provide exhibitors the opportunity to keep the shown and awarded species, while the Pasture-to-Plate exhibitors will be seeking buyers who wish to purchase beef for local restaurant menus, resale or personal consumption.
“We are looking forward to this year’s fair with music every night that also showcases best in-class talent,” 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 hope to see all of Northwest Arkansas at the fair to support our local youth, and local agriculture.”
Fair and Carnival admission is $10 Tuesday-Thursday beginning at 4pm and $15 Friday and Saturday beginning at 4pm. Ticket holders will have unlimited access to all rides, (depending on height and weight standards) livestock shows, and the entertainment planned.
A digital copy of the fair book is available at www.bentoncountyfairar.org. Applications for commercial exhibitors and vendors, are also available on the fair website.
Fair Schedule at a Glance
-Sept. 15 Most Exhibit Hall entries are due online https://bentonar.fairwire.com/
-Sept. 16 Talent Show
-Sept. 7-23 Exhibitors can pick up fair tags at the fair office
-Sept. 23 Horse Show, Pageant, Vendor Set Up and Exhibitor item drop off
-Sept. 24 Pageant concludes
-Sept. 25 Vendor Set Up
-Sept. 26 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. 27 Gates open at 9am, Rabbit, Dairy Showmanship, Market Hog shows, Carnival starts 4pm $10, live entertainment and beer garden
-Sept. 28 Gates open 9am, Senior Citizens Day, Breeding Beef Show, Lamb Show, Youth Shoot, Beef Showmanship, Beef Heifer and Steer Show, Carnival starts at 4pm $10, live entertainment and beer garden
-Sept. 29 Gates open at 9am, Super Showman, Goat Costume Contest, Beautiful Bovine Contest, Carnival starts 4pm $15, live entertainment and beer garden
-Sept.30, Gates open 9am, Awards Ceremony, Bike Rodeo and Show, Buyers Dinner, Carnival starts approx. 4pm $15, Live Entertainment and beer garden
Benton County Fair 2023 sponsors include: Walmart and Sam’s Club, McKee Foods Corporation, A&B Distributors, McLarty Daniel, Simmons, Heritage Tractor, Farm Bureau Benton County, T-Mobile, and Grand Savings Bank.
ABOUT THE BENTON COUNTY FAIRBCFA, 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, Ashley Cloud, Charles Coffelt, Savannah Dickson, Wesley Evans, Brian Fipps, Jim Griffin, Chris Graves, Deb Lindsay, Frank Myers, Jacob Payne and Dr. Duane Thomas, DVM.