Benton County Fair Announces 2023 Event

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.

Benton County Fair Announces 2022 Event

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.         

Benton County Fair Announces 2021 Event “Locally Grown Fun”

Includes New Carnival, Expanded Educational Exhibits, Demos and MORE!

BENTONVILLE, AR — The 117th Annual Benton County Fair returns to the fall season September 28 through Oct. 2, 2021 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. Ozarks Homesteading leads an expo in the air-conditioned auditorium complete with dozens of vendors, demonstrations, and educational resources for both hobby farmers and experienced farmers alike, as well as those interested in a self-reliant, sustainable lifestyle. 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.


“We are excited about expanding our attractions for attendees and offering a variety of departments at the fair for exhibitors,” said Mr. Ashley Hays, president, Benton County Fair Board. “We want to thank our sponsors for their continued support even during 2020. We look forward to welcoming residents of Benton County and the greater NWA community back to the fair, which at its heart helps to prepare youth for a successful future and celebrates local agriculture and its traditions.”


With the new Carnival and added attractions including special shows such as Mountain Bike Trial and Stunt Performer, Live Music, a Beer Garden Friday/Saturday and more, there will be an admittance charge to the fair only during afternoon and evening carnival hours. Fair and Carnival admission is $10 Tuesday-Thursday and $15 Friday and Saturday. Ticketholders will have unlimited access to all rides (depending on height and weight standards). The Fair gates and buildings will open to the public at 9 a.m. daily.

“We are always trying to produce the best possible fair event for exhibitors and attendees,” said Susan Koehler, Fair and Events Manager. “Many of the events held at our facility throughout the year are ticketed and attract thousands of attendees. We believe this amusement park model during key performance hours of the fair will provide more value to both those seeking thrills at the carnival or looking to enjoy a festive evening, while supporting Benton County youth and the community.”


For more information about exhibiting and online entry visit https://bentonar.fairwire.com. There are lots of fun classes for youth and adults from entomology (insect collecting) to table setting. Or submit prize vegetables or flowers from new gardening hobbies from family time at home. 4H
and Future Farmers of America membership is NOT required to enter non-livestock fair exhibits. Exhibitors may also enter items at the fairgrounds in person. A digital copy of the fair book will be posted to www.bentoncountyfairar.org soon. A fair open house is planned 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 24, 2021, in the auditorium to help first-time exhibitors ask questions and register. For more information to join the expo as a vendor or learn about
speakers check out https://ozarkshomesteading.com/benton-county-fair-expo. Applications for Fair commercial vendors, food vendors and RV hook ups are also available on the fair website. Benton County Fair 2021 sponsors include: Walmart and Sam’s Club, McKee Foods Corporation, Simmons, Heritage Tractor, Farm Bureau Benton County and Cook’s Venture to date. The fair schedule and other announcements will be announced soon. Watch for updates online and on social media.