What the Washington Parish Free Fair Is
The Washington Parish Free Fair in Franklinton bills itself as the largest free fair in the United States. It began in 1911 and has been held for more than a century; one account calls it the second-oldest parish fair in Louisiana. The Washington Parish Fair Association runs it on private fairgrounds and receives no government subsidy. Visitors can enter without paying a gate fee, and the fair opens starting the third Wednesday in October.
The next fair is October 20 to 24, 2027. Dates already announced for later years are October 18 to 22, 2028, October 17 to 21, 2029 and October 16 to 20, 2030.
What Is on the Grounds
- Exhibits and contests: competitive agricultural and educational exhibits, including cut flowers, homemaking, livestock and farm products.
- Livestock and Old McDonald's Farm: a livestock show and a petting zoo.
- Rodeo: a rodeo at the fairgrounds arena.
- Fair Parade and Fair 5K: both are part of the week.
- Midway: carnival rides.
- Main Stage: local, regional and national musical entertainment, with a Hometown Throwdown also on the attractions list.
- Art show and crafts: arts and crafts booths and an art show, with fair and festival food.
- The Fair Train, Playground and Down by the Branch: more family attractions listed by the fair.
Mile Branch Settlement
The Mile Branch Settlement is a historical pioneer village on the fairgrounds, with log cabins, antiques and costumed hosts. It is open to class or group tours on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $10 per person. To schedule a tour, call 985-515-7604.
The Fair 5K
The Washington Parish Fair 5K is held on the Saturday of fair week; the 2027 race is Saturday, October 23. The course starts and finishes near the Fair Stage. Packet pickup begins at 7:00 a.m. and the race starts at 7:30 a.m. The field is limited to 300 runners and walkers, the race is chip-timed, and there is no race-day registration. The overall male and female winners receive medals, as do the top two men and top two women in each age division: 10 and under, 11 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70 and over. Race fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Vendors and Exhibitors
Commercial building vendors, inside and outside, apply with the fair's Commercial Building Vendor Form. Vendors receive a letter by mail in July, and returning vendors can keep their spot or ask for a new one on the form. A 2026 Fair Catalog is linked from freefair.com as an online flip book. The Rodeo Arena can also be rented outside fair week through the association.
Where
Washington Parish Fairgrounds, 100 Main Street, Franklinton, LA 70438.
Questions
Does it cost money to get in?
No. The fair is a free fair. Rides, food and some activities have their own prices.
When is the next fair?
October 20 to 24, 2027.
Can I walk up and register for the 5K on race day?
No. There is no race-day registration, and the field is capped at 300.
Who do I call?
The Washington Parish Fair Association at 985-295-0911.
Official Links
- Washington Parish Free Fair: dates, attractions and catalog
- Washington Parish Free Fair press releases: vendors, Mile Branch tours and fairgrounds use
- Washington Parish Fair 5K: race details and registration
- Louisiana Kitchen and Culture fair listing: exhibits and history
Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
In Louisiana, 4-H and FFA exhibitors usually move from a parish fair or parish show to a district show and then the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show.
The circuit
Examples from 2026: St. Landry and Ascension held parish shows January 16 to 17, and district shows ran late January into early February, per the AgCenter schedule.
State show
The 91st state show ran February 14 to 21, 2026, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales with 1,207 eligible exhibitors, per the AgCenter report.
State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th fair runs October 29 to November 15, 2026, in Shreveport, per the Bossier Chamber.
Who can show
Shows are open to 4-H and FFA members. 4-H members must be 9 before January 1 and not past their 20th birthday by that date, per the St. Landry 4-H page.
Next steps
Ask your parish office for possession and validation deadlines, which fall months before the shows.
Read the full guide: Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Washington Parish Livestock Show
Parish stop on the 4-H and FFA show circuit before the Southeast District and State shows; the most recent show was held January 24, 2026 at the Franklinton fairgrounds.
100 Main Street, Franklinton, LA 70438 | Organizer: LSU AgCenter 4-H Official event details - Washington Parish Watermelon Festival
Midsummer watermelon festival on Main Street in Franklinton. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 10-12, 2026.
100 Main St., Franklinton, LA 70438 Official event details - State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details - Allen Parish Fair
Four-day parish fair at the Allen Parish Fairgrounds on Tiger Lane in Oberlin, with general and agricultural exhibits. Held each year; the 2025 fair ran Nov. 12-15 and the 2026 fair is set for Nov. 11-14.
Tiger Lane, Oberlin, LA 70655 Official event details - Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Four-day festival in Port Barre built around Louisiana cracklin, the fried pork rind. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 12-15, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.