What the Wilson County Fair - Tennessee State Fair Is
The Wilson County Fair doubles as the Tennessee State Fair. It is a ten-day fair at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center (the Wilson County Fairgrounds) in Lebanon that mixes carnival rides, music, fair food and a large agricultural program, and is often called Tennessee's largest outdoor classroom. The most recent edition ran August 13-22, 2026, under the theme "Tennessee Voices and Volunteers Celebrating America 250!" with forestry as the featured agriculture commodity.
What Is There to Do
- Rides: more than 60 carnival rides.
- Entertainment: 15 entertainment stages, motorsport events, pageants and demonstrations.
- History and animals: Fiddlers Grove Historic Village and a petting zoo.
- Competitions: contests for all ages, including baking, horticulture and creative arts.
- Livestock: more than 150 livestock shows.
- Exhibits: displays including the Travel TN and Pick TN exhibits.
The 2026 Year of Forestry
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry anchored the 2026 agriculture theme with exhibits and interactive displays on forest conservation, stewardship and forest products, plus a look at wildfire prevention and response. Forestland covers about 14 million acres, roughly 52 percent of the state, and the forest industry supports more than 91,000 jobs and $29.1 billion in economic output. New for 2026 were a Lumberjack Show, a Timber Callin' Contest, a Freedom 250 truck, Rock It the Robot, a 4-H Sheep Expo and a Highland Cattle Show.
For Livestock Exhibitors
The Tennessee Junior Sheep Expo is held at the State Fair in Lebanon, and the 2026 fair added a 4-H Sheep Expo and a Highland Cattle Show. Exhibitors with questions about 4-H livestock programs can call the Wilson County Extension Office at 615-444-9584 (925 E. Baddour Parkway, Suite 100, Lebanon, TN 37087).
Hours and Admission
| Day | Gate hours |
|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 4-9 p.m. |
| Friday | 4-10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. |
| Sunday | Noon-9 p.m. |
- Adults: $14 daily gate admission.
- Children 6-12: $5. Children 5 and under: free.
- Mega Ticket: $35, which includes gate admission and a ride armband.
- Groups of 25 or more qualify for group discounts.
Parking and Shuttle
General on-site parking is free. Preferred on-site parking is $10 per vehicle per day. Parking gates close 30 minutes before the admission gates. A free shuttle runs daily during the fair (weekdays 3-11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday noon-11 p.m.) from the Cumberland University football parking lot at 415 Harding Drive and from First Baptist Church and the Wilson County Courthouse at 209 E. Main Street.
Bag Policy and Safety
Everyone walks through metal detectors and bags are searched. Allowed bags are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one-gallon clear freezer bags, and small clutch bags up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Medically necessary items and diaper bags (with a baby) are allowed after inspection. Weapons are not allowed. There are no refunds or rain checks for weather.
Where
James E. Ward Agricultural Center, Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, Tennessee.
Questions
What are the hours on Saturday?
The gates open at 10 a.m. and the fair runs until 10 p.m.
Do children pay?
Children 5 and under are free, and ages 6-12 are $5.
Can I bring a backpack?
Only clear bags that meet the size limits are allowed.
Where do I find the full schedule?
On the fair's website, wilsoncountytnstatefair.com.
Official Links
- Forestry takes center stage at the 2026 fair: Tennessee Department of Agriculture release
- 2026 fair guide: tickets, hours, parking, shuttle and what is new
- Big fun and big celebration planned for 2026: theme and competitions
- Wilson County 4-H livestock program: junior livestock shows and contacts
Tennessee County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Tennessee county fairs run from mid-July into the fall, with the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon set for August 13 to 22 in 2026, per a fair roundup. Confirm dates with each fair.
Statewide junior shows
UT Extension runs swine, cattle, goat, sheep and dairy shows, including the State Junior Dairy Show on October 9 and 10 in Lebanon, per its youth livestock page.
Who can show
4-H members need to be in 4th grade or later, FFA members must be enrolled in agriculture education on January 1, and everyone needs TYQA certification, per the goat show handbook. Goats carry a June 1 ownership deadline.
Health papers
Every animal needs a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection dated within 90 days of the show.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for entry forms and tagging days.
Tagging
Steers and heifers need an 840-RFID tag and a matching tattoo, and steers must attend a regional tagging day, per the 2026 Beef Expo handbook.
Other 2026 fairs
Williamson County ran August 7 to 15, the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville ran September 11 to 20 and the Middle Tennessee District Fair in Lawrenceburg ran September 24 to October 3.
Read the full guide: Tennessee County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Boys From the South Sale
Lebanon hosts the Boys From the South Sale on November 28, 2026, one of the sales on the Tennessee Cattlemen's calendar.
Lebanon, TN Official event details - Wilson County 4-H Beef Show
County 4-H beef show for Wilson County youth, held June 8 in the 2026 show season and a step toward the Central Region beef show.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Tennessee State 4-H Beef Expo
Statewide junior beef cattle show and contests for Tennessee 4-H members in Lebanon, July 9 to 11, 2026.
- Wilson County 4-H Sheep and Goat Show
County sheep and goat show on July 13, 2026, where Wilson County 4-H members show market animals before regional and state competition.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Central Region 4-H Beef Show
Regional qualifying beef show for Middle Tennessee 4-H members, held July 8 and 9, 2026, in Lebanon just ahead of the state beef expo.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.