What the Amelia County Fair Is
The Amelia County Fair is a four-day community fair held each August at Joe H. Paulette Memorial Park, 16451 Five Forks Rd., Amelia Court House, VA 23002. The 2026 fair ran Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16. Gate admission covers the livestock shows, exhibits, vendors and select entertainment, and the fair also runs an exhibitor competition, a scholarship pageant, a midway and a lineup of stage shows and motorsports.
Daily Hours and Schedule
| Day | Hours | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 5 to 10 p.m. | Opening ceremonies and ribbon cutting at 6 p.m., magic show, country music night with a DJ |
| Friday | 5 to 10 p.m. | Magic shows, main stage opening ceremonies, Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling from 8 to 9:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 1 to 10 p.m. | Demolition derby at 5 p.m., dance party on the main stage from 7 to 10 p.m. |
| Sunday | 2 to 6 p.m. | Car show with the Time Bandits Car Club (registration opens at noon), barrel racing with the Virginia Cowboy Association at 3 p.m. |
The schedule is subject to change, and weather updates are posted on the fair's social media.
Admission and Midway Costs
- Gate admission: $5 for ages 13 and up. Children 12 and under are free.
- Demolition derby: $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for children 12 and under.
- Midway ride wristbands are sold separately: $20 on Thursday, $25 on Friday and $30 on Saturday. On Sunday a single wristband is $20 or a 4-pack is $70.
- Ride tickets and wristbands are cash only, and an ATM is on site.
Enter the Exhibit Competition
The fair accepts entries in two broad areas. The Arts covers photography, adult arts and crafts, arts and crafts for entrants under 18, and poetry. Home and Garden covers home products, cooked and baked goods, garden and farm produce, and flowers. The competition is open to youth and adults, and young exhibitors need no prior experience. Ribbons are awarded in each category, and select divisions offer cash prizes for top placements.
Entries are brought to the Exhibition Hall at the park and submitted with the Entry Form:
- Tuesday, August 11: 5 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 12: 5 to 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 13: noon to 3 p.m.
No late entries are accepted, and all entries must follow the fair's General Rules and category guidelines, which are posted on the fair's website.
The Scholarship Pageant
The Miss Amelia County Fair Pageant is a scholarship and leadership program with age divisions running from Tiny Miss (ages 2-3) up to Miss (ages 16-22). Entry requires an application, a signed waiver, a copy of the birth certificate and an entry fee, and 2026 entry materials were due postmarked by June 1. The winner represents the fair at the Miss Virginia Association of Fairs Pageant in Williamsburg the following January and appears at local community events during her year as titleholder.
Parking and Getting There
A shuttle runs from the surrounding lots to the fairgrounds. Fair parking is at the Amelia County High School lot, the Amelia County Elementary parking lot and the elementary bus loop. Accessible parking is on the grass in front of the Exhibition Hall, facing Five Forks Rd., and a DMV-issued placard or plate must be visible. Volunteers direct traffic on arrival.
Questions
Can children enter the exhibit competition?
Yes. There is a separate arts and crafts class for entrants under 18, and no experience is needed.
Is there a late entry window?
No. Late entries are not accepted.
Who do I call?
The Amelia County Fair at 804-561-5100. The mailing address is P.O. Box 451, Amelia Court House, VA 23002.
Official Links
- Amelia County Fair schedule
- Exhibitors: categories and drop-off
- Admission, wristbands and parking
- Pageant rules
- Scholarship pageant information
- Event listing
Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Virginia county fairs run from late June into the fall. In 2026, fairs on one roundup ran from Orange County on June 24 to 27 to Shenandoah County on August 28 to September 5, per a fairs roundup. Dates may change.
State fair
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia ran September 25 to October 4 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, per the fair press page. The youth beef, sheep, swine and meat goat shows were October 1 to 4, per the nomination letter.
Nomination and tags
Market animals needed nomination and DNA by July 1, and entries closed August 17 in 2026. Sheep and goats needed a scrapie tag, and cattle and hogs an 840 EID tag.
County rules
Shenandoah County required 4-H or FFA enrollment by February 1 and set ownership dates in March and June, per its 2025 rules.
2027 dates
A fair listing shows the Loudoun County Fair July 20 to 24, 2027, and the Prince William County Fair August 13 to 21, 2027. The State Fair of Virginia lists September 24 to October 3, 2027.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for the show book and tagging dates.
Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Woods and Wildlife Camp
Five-day summer 4-H camp on forestry and wildlife held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 21 to 25, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Loudoun County Fair
Loudoun County's annual fair in Leesburg supports local 4-H youth, with animal exhibits for members aged 5 to 19, rodeos and a Friday evening livestock auction. The 2027 dates are July 20 to 24; the 90th fair ran July 21 to 25, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.