The Best Summer County Fairs In Tennessee
A handful of Tennessee communities host the state's best summer county fairs. And they’re good at it. The Williamson County Fair in Franklin launched only in 2005 and has already won international recognition, while Lebanon's Wilson County Fair (which doubles as the Tennessee State Fair) draws the biggest crowds. Meanwhile, the Appalachian Fair in Gray, Cookeville's Putnam County Fair, and Clinton's Anderson County Fair also offer up plenty of summer fun, too. Some of these fairs have been running for centuries, and for good reason. Make sure you don't miss out on them.
Williamson County Fair, Franklin
If you’re looking for an excuse to visit Franklin, then here it is. The Williamson County Fair runs for nine days each August at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park. Known locally as AgExpo Park, this 110-acre venue opened in 2001 and has hosted the fair since its relaunch in 2005. Now one of Tennessee’s flagship fairs, more than 1,800 locals volunteer to help run it, making it the largest (and most important) community gathering on the county calendar.
And there’s always a lot going on, from singing competitions for school kids to pageants and stunt shows by touring acts. Livestock barns fill with cattle, sheep, and poultry, displayed by members of the youth agricultural program, while indoor halls host judged exhibits in disciplines such as photography, quilting, and culinary arts.
Wilson County Fair and Tennessee State Fair, Lebanon
Though not a big community (its population is around 50,000), Lebanon hosts one of the largest fairs in the American South. Since 2021, the Wilson County Fair has also served as the Tennessee State Fair, after the state event moved from Nashville to the Wilson County Fairgrounds. The combined fair runs for 10 days each August at the 350-acre James E. Ward Agricultural Center and is one of the state's biggest annual gatherings (attendance hit a record 861,000 in 2024).
And it’s a big event. Across the grounds, the fair features 150 livestock shows, operates 60 rides, and hosts entertainment on 15 stages. Motorsports fill the grandstand with tractor pulls, monster trucks, and demolition derbies, while the antique and classic car show component is also popular. Food stands are a big deal here, too, with corn dogs and smoked pork being must-try staples.
The most unique feature, however, is Fiddlers Grove Historic Village. A preserved open-air historic village of a 19th-century Tennessee settlement, it features demonstrations of traditional skills including blacksmithing, weaving, and frontier crafts. The village remains open year-round for school groups and seasonal events, such as the Dancing Lights of Christmas.
Appalachian Fair, Gray
The Appalachian Fair is the main summer event in East Tennessee's Tri-Cities, the metro area comprising Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol. Founded in 1926, the fair takes place each August at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, a community between Johnson City and Kingsport. This August marks the fair's 100th year, with upwards of 200,000 visitors expected to attend over its almost week-long run.
Now a permanent campus of more than 20 buildings, it hosts headlining events including nightly country, bluegrass, gospel, and rock concerts. Food stands are another big draw and serve regional East Tennessee dishes alongside fairground staples like funnel cakes and corn dogs. A midway, livestock competitions, a demolition derby, and truck and tractor pulls round out the fun.
Putnam County Fair, Cookeville
Cookeville, aka the “Hub of the Upper Cumberland,” is home to the Putnam County Fair from late July into early August. Held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, a focal point for a cluster of rural communities, the fair is approaching its 100th year. It remains one of the larger summer gatherings on the Cumberland Plateau, the elevated tableland that runs through the middle and eastern parts of Tennessee.
Alongside the always-popular carnival rides, livestock and poultry competitions, and beauty pageants, the fair features a demolition derby and motorcycle racing, giving it broad appeal beyond the local farming community. There’s even a strongman competition that tests lifting and carrying feats, western dance contests, and gospel singing.
A highlight for many is the quarter horse and walking horse shows. This equestrian sport features the Tennessee Walking Horse, a gaited breed known for its smooth running-walk. Evening pageants and a rodeo fill the grandstand, while younger visitors stick to the carnival midway. Local cooks supply much of the food, a long-running point of pride at the fair.
Anderson County Fair, Clinton
Clinton, the seat of Anderson County in East Tennessee, closes out our summer fun coverage with the Anderson County Fair. This six-night affair in July has been dubbed by event organizers the “Best Six Days of Summer,” a claim backed by its many popular programs.
Held annually for over a century at the town’s fairgrounds, the action here is aimed squarely at families, with free admission for kids 15 and under on some nights. Must-do carnival rides the kids will love include a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and swings, while food stands sell funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and yes, corn dogs. Entertainment highlights include live music from local bands, a “Fairest of the Fair” pageant, comedy shows, and demonstrations of traditional early settler trades and crafts.
Other fun features that’ll make you want to include hog-calling and cow-milking contests. Meanwhile, exhibit halls display paintings, photography, quilts, and crafts entered by county residents.
Your Tennessee Summer Fair Circuit
Participating in any or all of these five county fairs is all the excuse needed to visit rural Tennessee. Together, they cover the summer season from mid-July through late August, allowing you to enjoy several day trips across the Volunteer State. Best of all, each of them combines standard fair attractions like midways and livestock with something unique, whether it’s a pioneer village, a heritage museum, or heck, even a hog-calling contest. So, pick a weekend, pack the car, and just go.
