Lenoir County Fair returns Oct. 6-10 with rides, exhibits and community performances
The Lenoir County Fair returns Oct. 6-10 with rides, exhibits and entertainment under the theme “Red, White & Blue: Celebrating 250 with you.”
The Lenoir County Agricultural Fair will return to Kinston Oct. 6-10, 2026, bringing five days of carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, community performances and motorsports events to the fairgrounds at 401 Fairgrounds Road. The fair’s website lists the dates for this year’s event.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission will be $8 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and $10 Saturday. Children ages 4 and younger will be admitted free throughout the week.
Thursday, Oct. 8, will feature Dollar Day, with $1 gate admission and $1 rides. The ride promotion requires a minimum $10 ride ticket purchase. Unlimited ride wristbands are listed at $25, with a buy-one-get-one-free wristband promotion Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Senior Citizens Appreciation Days will be Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 6-8. Adults ages 62 and older will be admitted free from 5 to 7 p.m. each day, according to the fair’s admission information.
Activities begin before opening day for residents entering exhibits. Entries will be accepted only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the exhibit hall. Judging is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5.
Exhibit categories include field crops, vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers, food preservation, baked goods, clothing, needlework, quilts, crafts and art. Youth categories also provide opportunities for younger residents to participate. Premium books with entry information are available at the Extension office and through the fair’s exhibits page.
The entertainment schedule opens with the 39th annual cheerleading competition at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Wrestling is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by the Lenoir County Schools talent showcase from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Friday’s lineup will feature a figure-eight derby at 7 p.m. and a concert by Jon Riggs at 8 p.m.
A demolition derby is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday. Saturday’s lineup also includes performances by local dance studios, a cruise-in from 4 to 7 p.m., the South Lenoir High School band at 6 p.m., a diaper derby at 6:30 p.m. and The Mad Fiddler at 8 p.m.
Daily attractions include Lance Gifford magic shows and agricultural education programs. Dreamland Amusements will operate the midway, and performers Just Joey and Flimsy are also listed on the 2026 entertainment schedule.
Visitors can find admission details, exhibit requirements and the full schedule on the Lenoir County Agricultural Fair website.
