What the Clark County Fair Is
The Clark County Fair is a ten-day summer fair at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield. Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest continuously operating fairs in Washington and draws close to 270,000 visitors. The most recent edition ran August 7 to 16, 2026. It mixes exhibits by 4-H, FFA, Grange and Open Class entrants with farm animals, carnival rides, concerts and grandstand shows.
What Is at the Fair
| Area | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Exhibits | 4-H, FFA, Grange and Open Class exhibitors |
| Animals | Farm animals and barns |
| Carnival | Rides open daily at noon |
| Grandstand | Rodeo, demolition derby, side-by-side racing, Tuff Trucks and monster trucks |
| Concerts | Reserved-seating concerts on the opening weekend |
| Stages | Three entertainment stages |
The 2025 Fair as a Guide
The schedule and prices for the 2026 fair were still being finalized on the event page, so the published 2025 fair (August 1 to 10, 2025) is the best guide to how the fair runs. Treat these as last year's figures and confirm current prices at clarkcofair.com.
Hours (2025)
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival rides opened daily at noon. Barns closed early on Tuesday and on the final Sunday.
Admission and parking (2025)
- Adults $13; seniors 62 and over $11; youth ages 7 to 12 $10; children 6 and under free.
- Parking $8 per vehicle, cash or card.
- Carnival ride credits $1 each; unlimited wristbands $35 plus a $2 fee Monday to Thursday or $38 plus a $2 fee Friday to Sunday.
Grandstand shows (2025)
Grandstand shows were included with admission with free first-come seating: Mutton Bustin' and bull riding, Mutton Bustin' and the Hell On Hooves Rodeo, a demolition derby, side-by-side racing, Tuff Trucks on two nights and monster trucks on the final day.
Concerts (2025)
Brothers Osborne, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and Kansas played the opening weekend. Reserved seating was $30 to $40 and included fair admission. The featured exhibit was "Ice Age Adventures."
Where
Clark County Fairgrounds (Clark County Event Center), 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642, about 15 miles north of Vancouver off I-5. Phone (564) 397-6180.
Questions
Do shows cost extra?
In 2025 the grandstand shows were included with admission; concerts were separate reserved seats.
Can I pay for rides separately?
Yes. Ride credits or an unlimited wristband were sold in 2025, and carnival rides open at noon daily.
Is the fair good for 4-H and FFA families?
The fair hosts 4-H, FFA, Grange and Open Class exhibits alongside the farm animals.
When is the next fair?
The most recent edition was August 7 to 16, 2026. See clarkcofair.com for the next dates.
Official Links
Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
AgriNews lists 105 Illinois fairs for 2026, including the Illinois State Fair (August 13 to 23, Springfield) and the Du Quoin State Fair (August 28 to September 7), per its county fair lineup.
Ownership and tags
State Fair market steers must be owned since February 1, 2026, and cattle and swine need a USDA 840 ear tag, per the junior show requirements.
Training
YQCA is required for dairy, beef, swine, sheep and goat exhibitors, and Lake County sets a June 1 completion deadline, per Lake County 4-H.
Drug rules
At Du Quoin a positive test means disqualification, with a three-year ban for a first offense, per the livestock book.
Dates
Many counties fall between mid-July and early August, such as Knox (July 6 to 11), Champaign (July 25 to August 1) and Lake (July 29 to August 2).
Next steps
Get your county's fair book, mark the enrollment and entry dates, and ask your Extension office about weigh-ins.
Dates and rules change, so confirm with the fair.
Read the full guide: Illinois County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Martinsville Agricultural Fair
Martinsville Agricultural Fair takes place in Martinsville; the most recent dates were May 24-31, 2026. Held each year, it gives local exhibitors and visitors a county-level fair stop on the Illinois summer circuit.
Martinsville, IL Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2026 IFB Annual Meeting is scheduled for December 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Illinois Farm Bureau delegates gather each December to set policy and elect leadership.
- Illinois Farm Bureau Newer Presidents Seminar
A one-day January 2027 seminar for newer county Farm Bureau presidents, held at the IAA Building on Towanda Avenue in Bloomington.
1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference
The 2027 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference runs January 27-29 at the Bank of Springfield Center, serving Illinois specialty growers and local-food producers.
Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details - Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference
Illinois Farm Bureau members meet at the Bank of Springfield Center on February 16, 2027 for the Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference, focused on state advocacy.
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL | Organizer: Illinois Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.