Cleveland County Fair

Cleveland County Fair Cleveland County Fair Inc. supports agricultural education and brings families together for fun and entertainment. Come See it in Shelby!

Fairgrounds available year-round. 📅 2026 fair: October 1–11. For over 100 years the Cleveland County Fair has been home to what has become North Carolina's largest agricultural fair. The annual fair promotes agriculture, education, history, along with art and industry. The first Cleveland County Fair was held in 1924, with 70,000 people in attendance. The fair was created by the Shelby Kiwanis Clu

b, which combined the community fairs of Boiling Springs, Fallston, and Union into one event. The fair celebrates the coming together of city and farm life, and it features a variety of attractions.

May may be coming to an end, but fair season will be here before you know it! 🎡There's nothing quite like the feeling of...
06/01/2026

May may be coming to an end, but fair season will be here before you know it! 🎡

There's nothing quite like the feeling of throwing your hands in the air, hearing the laughter, and making memories with family and friends at the fair.

As we turn the page to June, tell us: What are you most excited about when the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair returns this fall?
🎠 The rides
🍔 The food
🎶 The entertainment
🏆 The exhibits
🎡 Everything!

⬇️Drop your answer in the comments!⬇️

🏆🌽🎨 One of the BEST parts of the fair… the exhibits! ❤️ From homemade jams & jellies to beautiful quilts, award-winning ...
05/23/2026

🏆🌽🎨 One of the BEST parts of the fair… the exhibits! ❤️ From homemade jams & jellies to beautiful quilts, award-winning vegetables, fresh baked breads & cakes, photography, artwork, plants, flowers, canned goods, sewing, crafts, and more — there’s so much talent right here in our community!

What’s YOUR favorite exhibit to stop and look at during the fair? 👀
And be honest… what’s something you wish you could grow, bake, sew, paint, or make yourself? 🌻🍅🧁🪡🎨

We love seeing the creativity and hard work that makes the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair so special each year! ❤️🎡

🍔🌭🍋 FAIR FOOD LOVERS… THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 🍿🍓🍟 We may still be counting down to October, but it’s NEVER too early to talk...
05/19/2026

🍔🌭🍋 FAIR FOOD LOVERS… THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 🍿🍓🍟 We may still be counting down to October, but it’s NEVER too early to talk about fair food! 😍🎡

What’s the FIRST thing you have to eat when you come to the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair each year?
🍋 Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
🌽 Roasted Corn
🍗 Turkey Legs
🍟 Fresh Cut Fries
🍭 Cotton Candy
🍓 Strawberry Shortcake
🌭 Corn Dogs
🍿 Kettle Corn
🍔 Fair Burgers

AND… tell us your favorite fair food vendor too! 👀 We’re officially hungry now… 🤤

🎉🏆 WE DID IT, CLEVELAND COUNTY! We’re incredibly honored to share that the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair has been n...
05/01/2026

🎉🏆 WE DID IT, CLEVELAND COUNTY!
We’re incredibly honored to share that the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair has been named a 2026 Best of North Carolina WINNER in the Festivals category by Guide to North Carolina!

This recognition means so much—especially knowing that less than 10% of businesses across the state receive this award.

❤️ But here’s the truth…This win belongs to YOU.

To everyone who voted, attended, supported, rode the rides, enjoyed the food, made memories, and continues to show up year after year—THANK YOU. Because of you, our fair isn’t just an event… it’s a tradition.

We’re proud to bring fun, excitement, and community together—and we can’t wait to make this year even bigger and better! 🎡🎠
Let’s celebrate this moment… and then get ready to do it all again in October!

Round and round we go… who’s brave enough for the Tornado?! 🌪️🎡There’s just something about fair rides that bring back a...
04/23/2026

Round and round we go… who’s brave enough for the Tornado?! 🌪️🎡

There’s just something about fair rides that bring back all the memories—the laughter, the screams, and maybe a little bit of “why did I get on this again?!” 😆

➡️We want to hear from YOU: What’s your all-time favorite fair ride? Is it a childhood classic you rode every year… or something you still can’t miss today?

Drop it in the comments and tell us your favorite fair memory—we might just need to add it to our must-ride list this year! 🎠✨

💥 THROWBACK THURSDAY 💥Who remembers the roar of the engines, the crunch of metal, and the crowd going WILD at the Demoli...
04/16/2026

💥 THROWBACK THURSDAY 💥
Who remembers the roar of the engines, the crunch of metal, and the crowd going WILD at the Demolition Derby?! 🚗💨

This fan-favorite never disappoints—and honestly… it just keeps getting better every year.

👇 We want to hear from YOU! What’s your favorite Demolition Derby memory at the fair?
• Your first time seeing it?
• A car that just wouldn’t quit?
• Or THAT hit everyone is still talking about? 😳

Drop your memories (or tag who you always sit with 👀) in the comments and let’s relive the chaos together!

🐷🏁 GET READY… THEY’RE OFF TO THE RACES! Hold onto your hats (and maybe your snacks 😆)… because Wild Beal’s Speedway is r...
04/13/2026

🐷🏁 GET READY… THEY’RE OFF TO THE RACES!

Hold onto your hats (and maybe your snacks 😆)… because Wild Beal’s Speedway is racing into the 2026 Cleveland County Agricultural Fair — and it’s a fan-favorite you do NOT want to miss!

These little “hams” are BIG on entertainment! From lightning-fast races to laugh-out-loud comedy, this show brings the perfect mix of fun for all ages.
🎉 Cheer on your favorite pig
😂 Enjoy hilarious “international racing teams”
🙌 And you might even get picked from the crowd to join in the fun!

Each race is packed with energy, excitement, and a whole lot of squeals as these speedy swine dash to the finish line for their prize!
Best part? 👉 It’s a FREE show with your fair admission!

Trust us… you’ve never seen racing like this before 🐽💨

04/07/2026

******ATTENTION FANS*****
This Saturday night Only The Strong Survive will be moving to the GoForth Hall at the Cleveland County Fair. Doors open at 6pm, bell time 7pm. It is located up on the hill, towards the left, once you enter gate 4. Signs will be there directing you to the building.

Happy Easter from your friends at the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair! 🐰🎡We’re egg-cited to see you at the fair in th...
04/05/2026

Happy Easter from your friends at the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair! 🐰🎡
We’re egg-cited to see you at the fair in the fall! 🐣🌸

Don’t forget to vote! 🎉 Voting for the 2026 Best of North Carolina Awards ends Tuesday, March 31st—and we’d love your su...
03/23/2026

Don’t forget to vote! 🎉 Voting for the 2026 Best of North Carolina Awards ends Tuesday, March 31st—and we’d love your support!

🗳️ Show some love for Shelby’s own Cleveland County Agricultural Fair in:
Arts & Entertainment → Festivals

⏰ Voting ends March 31st

✨ You can vote once per day, every day—so keep those votes coming!

🎉 Cast your vote here:
https://www.guidetonc.com/best-of/vote/arts-entertainment

Thank you for supporting our fair, our community, and a tradition we’re proud to call home! 🎡🐄

Address

Shelby, NC

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+17044873850

Website

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