The 2026 Cleburne County Fair will bring 5 days of livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, rodeo events and family activities to Heber Springs.
The fair is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, through Saturday, September 12, at the Cleburne County Fairgrounds, located at 880 Bittle Road.
This year’s schedule includes livestock judging, youth competitions, Senior Citizens Day, School Bus Day, Youth Day and Veterans and Emergency Response Appreciation Day.
TUESDAY FEATURES CHECK-IN AND COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICE
Fair activities begin Tuesday with livestock check-in from 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Beef cattle, swine, goats, dairy cattle and sheep will be checked in throughout the day. Participants are asked to have all required paperwork prepared before entering the gate.
Educational and Home Economics exhibits may be entered from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Categories include fruits, vegetables, field crops, flowers and plants.
Poultry testing, poultry check-in and rabbit check-in will be held from 4–6 p.m.
A community-wide church service will begin at 7 p.m. The service is sponsored by Clear View Baptist Church.
JUDGING AND LIVESTOCK SHOWS CONTINUE WEDNESDAY
Baked goods, aquaculture, flowers, plants, vegetables and field crops may be checked in from 8–9 a.m. Wednesday.
Horticulture and Home Economics judging begins at 9:30 a.m. The exhibit buildings will remain closed until judging is completed.
Wednesday’s livestock schedule includes poultry showmanship at 9 a.m., rabbit showmanship at 9:30 a.m. and poultry and rabbit judging at 10 a.m.
Swine weigh-in will be held from 10 a.m.–12 p.m., followed by the Swine Show at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY DESIGNATED SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Thursday, September 10, will be Senior Citizens Day.
Activities begin with cattle weigh-in from 7–8 a.m., followed by the Dairy Show at 8 a.m. Goats will be shown before dairy cattle.
Senior citizen registration begins at 9 a.m. with donuts and coffee.
Bingo and the Beef Cattle Show begin at 10 a.m. Goat and sheep weigh-in will also be held from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Lunch begins at 12:15 p.m. Cornhole and horseshoes will follow at 1 p.m., with senior citizen entertainment beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The Goat Show begins at 4 p.m.
The Lamb Show is scheduled for 6 p.m. or immediately following the Goat Show. Fair officials say the Lamb Show will not begin before 6 p.m.
The McCarson Ranch Rodeo will close Thursday’s activities at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY FEATURES YOUTH DAY AND BULLS AND BRONCS
Friday, September 11, will be School Bus Day and Youth Day.
School bus riders will receive free admission from 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
A hot dog lunch will be served to children through the sponsorship of First Electric and Connect2First.
The Goat Costume Contest begins at 10 a.m. Participants may contact Brittany Gaddy for additional information.
The Bonny Steeves Memorial 4-H Poultry Chain will be held at 12 p.m. in the Cattle Barn.
The McCarson Ranch Bulls and Broncs event begins at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY HONORS VETERANS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Saturday, September 12, will be Veterans and Emergency Response Appreciation Day.
Pie Contest entries will be accepted from 8–9 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m., with awards presented immediately afterward.
A Poker Run will be held from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Additional information is available from Rachel Helton.
The Junior Livestock Auction begins at 10 a.m.
Numbers for the All Around Showmanship competition will be drawn at 1 p.m. The competition begins at 2 p.m.
An Autocross and Demolition Derby are also planned, although a starting time had not been announced on the schedule.
The Youth Awards Program begins at 6 p.m.
The McCarson Ranch Rodeo returns at 8 p.m.
Education and Horticulture exhibits may be checked out beginning at 9 p.m. Livestock will be released at 10 p.m.
Fair organizers describe the event as a celebration of tradition, community and agriculture.
For updated schedules and additional fair information, visit:
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