RISON - The 2026 Cleveland County Fair is underway with a week of events scheduled at the Fairgrounds.
Exhibits will open to the public at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.
According to Fair President Roy Phillips, the number of exhibitors are on par with what was shown at the previous year’s fair.
However, Phillips said the number of entries were slightly down. He attributed the decline in horticulture and floriculture categories to the extreme heat and drought conditions damaging crops and gardens.
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. Donations are accepted during bingo, which is sponsored by Friendship Extension Homemakers Club.
Winners could receive a massage, gift cards, certificates from Pizza Pro and other nice prizes.
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.
During Game Day, a variety of EH Clubs will host games. Y Club will have baggo, Why Knots will have a balloon pop game, and the Busy Bees will have a grab-a-duck game.
Other activities include bouncy houses, rodeo games and more sponsored by Sherra Sue Hamilton, Mitchell Rodeo Co., and the Cleveland County Fair Board.
Skittles the Cow and more animals from Block R Barnyard will be at the Fairgrounds Petting Zoo on Saturday.
Concluding the events Saturday will be the annual County Fair Pageants beginning at 2 p.m.
There is a $5 admission to the pageants.