The Cumberland County Fair will be held Sept. 1 – 10 at the Crown Complex. The annual event celebrates Cumberland County’s agricultural heritage and combines family fun, informative agricultural exhibits, an art show and entertainment.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Fair will be held Sept. 1 – 10 at the Crown Complex. The annual event celebrates Cumberland County’s agricultural heritage and combines family fun, informative agricultural exhibits, an art show and entertainment with exciting rides and fair food.
he Fair opens Friday, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m. with free admission for healthcare professionals. Admission is $5 for kids ages 3 – 12 and $10 for individuals aged 13 and older. Ride wristbands will be available on the Midway for $30/person. Individual ride tickets are also available. See the full Cumberland County Fair schedule, list of events and exhibits and the fair book at cumberlandcountyfair.org. Follow the fair on social media at Facebook.com/CCFairNC.
For the first time, the fair offers a sensory-friendly time on Monday, Sept. 4, from noon until 3 p.m. During this time, the fair will operate with limited rides, no music and no lights to allow those who need it to enjoy the fair with limited sensory stimuli.
Events happening all week include rides, livestock shows, games, a beer garden and a daily lineup of live music. New additions at this year’s fair include a fire performer, the return of helicopter rides, freestyle motocross trick riders, magic shows, live audience participation games shows and more. The Cumberland County Fair Step Show and Dance Showcase and the Cumberland County Fair Pageant will also return for 2023.
The fair food lineup includes turkey legs, corn dogs, funnel cakes and freshly squeezed lemonade. There will be more than 20 food trucks including local establishments like Kwon’s Kitchen, Tropical Sno and Bella Nonna Italian.
Exhibits Contest and Junior Livestock Shows
Exhibit entries will be accepted Aug. 28 & 29 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for 4-H, seasonal entries, clothing, arts and crafts, handicrafts, canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, baked goods, floriculture, agriculture and horticulture. Exhibit entries for chickens will be accepted Aug. 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. for all other animals. Junior Livestock Show dates and times are as follows:
Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. Junior Laying Hen
- Saturday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m.Market Lambs
- Saturday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.Meat Goats
- Wednesday, Sept. 6Market Hogs, Feeder Calf, Steer Show
- Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.Beef Heifers
The annual “Little Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic for children ages 2 to 4 years old will be held Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. This clinic provides youth an opportunity to learn the process and techniques of showing livestock in an effort to encourage future livestock show participation. Ribbons will be awarded. The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. Contact Liz Joseph at 910-321-6862 to pre-register.
Following the “Little Ewe” Livestock Clinic, the annual Livestock Show and Sale will take place. Area youth will bring into the show ring hogs, feed calves and steers for judging. Showmen are responsible for raising and working with their animals for the show. The annual auction begins with proceeds benefiting the youth showmen will follow the show. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. Contact Liz Joseph at 910-321-6862 to register.
In addition to the usual special days where health care professionals, military members, first responders, and seniors can get in free, the fair is adding the chance to save with $2 Tuesday, BOGO Night, and School Kids and Personnel Day. In a change from past years, the Day of Giving will benefit the United Way and those who bring specified items to donate can receive free entry. On select days, the Cape Fear Valley Mobile Blood Donation unit will be on site and offering free admission tickets to its first 50 donors.
Here is the full 2023 Cumberland County Fair schedule and special days:
Friday, Sept. 1: Open at 5 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION for Healthcare Professionals
$5.00 admission for kids 3 – 12
All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older
Saturday, Sept. 2: Open at 1 p.m.
$10 Admission for adults and children 3 years of age or older
Sunday, Sept. 3: Open at 1 p.m.
Faith and Family Day
$5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office
$5.00 admission for kids 3 – 12
All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older
Monday, Sept. 4: Open at Noon
Sensory Day from 12 – 3 p.m./Regular Operation after 3 p.m.
Limited rides with no music and no lights from 12 to 3 p.m. with regular fair operations resuming after 3 p.m.
$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older
Tuesday, Sept. 5: Open at 5 p.m.
$2.00 Tuesday Entrance Fee is $2.00
Unlimited Wristbands can still be purchased separately
Wednesday, Sept. 6: Open at 5 p.m.
BOGO NIGHT/SENIOR NIGHT
BOGO Admission and BOGO Unlimited ride wristbands
BOGO Hotdogs & Corn Dogs/BOGO Funnel Cakes & Fried Oreos at B&B Concessions
SENIOR NIGHT – Seniors 65 and older get free entry into the fair
Thursday, Sept. 7: Open at 5 p.m.
A Day of Giving – Sponsored by the United Way/4-H & FFA Day/School Kids & Personnel Day
Bring 1 (one) of the following NEW items and receive one (1) free admission ticket to the Cumberland County Fair – 6 pack of socks, pack of t-shirts, or pack of underwear. The items are to be exchanged at the Cumberland County Fair Box Office for a valid admission ticket
4-H & FFA Day – Free Admission for card holders
School Kids & Personnel Day $2 Admission with school ID
$5.00 Admission for adults & children 3 years of age & older
Friday, Sept. 8: Open at 5 p.m.
$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older
Saturday, Sept. 9: Open at 1 p.m.
$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older
Sunday, Sept. 10: Open at 1 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION for Military and First Responders with valid ID
All Others: $10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older