RISON - The Cleveland County Rodeo will kick off the 2026 Cleveland County Fair Week this Friday and Saturday night at the Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena in Rison. Admission is $10 for ages 6 and up each night.
Each night will feature a pre-rodeo concert starting at 7 p.m. followed by the rodeo at 8 p.m.
Avery Langford, a 20-year-old performer from Warren, will be the guest performer Friday night while the Grace Cowboy Band of Warren will be featured Saturday night.
Avery Langford recently served as a headliner for the Pink Tomato Festival in Warren. He is the son of Cameron and Kim Langford of Warren, and regularly plays with the Grace Cowboy Band from the Grace Cowboy Church in Warren.
Avery’s family has a musical legacy, which includes his grandfather Gary Langford and uncle Chris, who were both performers. Most of Avery’s shows have in been Arkansas and Louisiana, and usually feature a mix of country and some Gospel as well.
Meanwhile, Josie Hargis is the lead singer of the Grace Cowboy Band, which is the resident worship and music group that performs at Grace Cowboy Church in Warren. She is an emerging country and gospel artist who joined the group when it formed in 2019.
The rodeo itself will begin at 8 p.m. each night with “mutton busting” being the first event each night. Mutton busting is sheep riding for youth who weight 60 lbs. or less. Those interested must register at the rodeo arena announcer stand by 7:30 p.m. each night. There is an entry fee.
Rodeo events will include bull riding, bronc riding, ladies barrell racing, goat tying, calf roping and more.
Fair Entries Start Tuesday
The Cleveland County Fair will begin receiving entries for all exhibits except livestock and baked goods from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the fairgrounds. Educational booths will be set up during this time as well. The floriculture and horticulture judging will take place at 6 p.m.
Baked goods, including entries for the new King Arthur Baking Flour contest, will be accepted from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the fairgrounds.
The King Arthur Baking Flour contest will be for those baked goods made with King Arthur flour. Contestants should bring the open bag of King Arthur Flour or submit a UPC label from the flour bag. Recipes must be used exactly as it appears in the premium book.
Gift cards will be awarded to the top finishers in the adult and junior/youth divisions. Adult prizes are $75 gift card for first, $50 for second and $25 for third. Youth prizes are $40 for first, $25 for second and third.
Exhibits will open to the public at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17. The Kinders will have a performance for Head Start and elementary students beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Kinders include Brian Kinder and his wife Terri Kinders. Brian is a singer/songwriter who, along with Terri, performs rollicking goodtime concerts for kids that invites audience participation.
Senior Citizens (ages 60 and older) and Veterans Day at the Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. All attending will receive free hot dogs and homemade ice cream. That will be followed by Bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the fairgrounds meeting room.
Saturday, Sept. 19, will include the new Dress Your Pet competition, youth games and bouncy houses, and pageants.
The “Dress Your Pet” Pageant will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the fairgrounds in Rison. Frankie Harper with the Cleveland County Fair Board said people are invited to dress up whatever pet they have and bring it to the fair. He said dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, horses or any other pet is allowed to compete.
The entry fee is $10 with proceeds helping support the county fair. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded ranging from $25 to $5. For more information, contact Frankie Harper at (870) 461-0396.