2025 Fair Info & Ticketing

Livestock animals are fed and watered daily. They receive proper care.

Midway ride ticket booths are located inside the fairgrounds.

ATM’s are located throughout the fairgrounds, but do include a surcharge. The Fair does not provide refunds. Plan ahead.

The Cabarrus County Fair does not hire for any of the food vendors, carnival or rodeo. If you are interested in a job, you must apply with them directly. The carnival company provider is Powers Great American Midways. The rodeo company provider is Southern Rodeo Company.

We do not currently provide rentals for these items. Fairgoers requesting these items are encouraged to bring their own. Though there are some grass and gravel areas, the majority of the fairgrounds walkways are paved. Please plan ahead so everyone in your party is sure to enjoy their time here.

Strollers or wagons are welcome. Walkways are mostly paved, but there are some grass/gravel areas.

Leave your pets at home. This is a Fair with livestock and entertainment animals. Pets brought into the Fair create a safety hazard and are not allowed on the premises.

Outside food and drinks are not permitted to be brought into the fairgrounds.

All sales, marketing, campaigning and fundraising must happen from inside an officially contracted booth space only. The handing out of flyers, promotional, campaign or other marketing materials; the placement of signs; conducting business of any kind or soliciting for sales or donations on Fairgrounds property, including parking lots and easements, without a contract is strictly prohibited. Contracted vendors may only conduct business from inside their booth. To find out how to be a vendor please visit the “ Vendor Info” section of our website very early in the year as spaces fill up quickly.

Rodeo seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 5:30 pm (one hour before showtime).

Rodeo tickets are separate. The cost is $25 and includes Fair entry for any night you choose.

Only students (with tickets sent home from Cabarrus County or Kannapolis City Schools) get free admission to the Fair on school night.

Exhibit Halls and the Livestock Area close 1 hour prior to the fairgrounds.

All transactions are Cash Only so plan ahead.

Recreational drones are not allowed to fly within 5 miles of a public event. Commercial/Government Drones must have an authorization from the FAA for a valid airspace permit that lists the type of drone, geographical area for flying, airspace and altitude. Law enforcement officials will be notified immediately if this policy is violated.

Carload night is Thursday, September 11. A carload of up to six people get admission to the Fair and a ride wristband for $90 (up to $270 value). You don’t all have to ride in the same car, but you do need to enter together. Even if you only have 4 or 5 people in your group, you can still take advantage of the discount.

The Cabarrus County Fair has a "No Refund" policy. The Cabarrus County Fair and our midway provider do not provide refunds or rain checks for admission tickets, ride tickets, or ride armbands for any reason. All sales are final. Weather Notice: During periods of inclement weather such as high/gusting winds, rain, or nearby lightening some midway rides may not operate.

Live animals, in competition and educational displays, are an important part of the exhibitor and public experience. Some things to remember in the livestock building and petting zoo area: 1. WASH YOUR HANDS - Washing hands with soap and water after touching any animals or animal areas is the best way to combat transmission of disease, 2. Don't eat or drink in the livestock building, 3. Adhere to all warning and informational signs regarding animal contact.

The rodeo lasts about 2 - 2.5 hours.

Parking is free.

FREE Parking Shuttle Vans are provided on the weekends ONLY (Saturdays, Sunday, and the final Friday) but can experience wait times.

The Fair is wheelchair accessible and service animals are welcome. Pets should remain at home.

The Cabarrus County Fair is an open, public event. Professional photographers or media contracted or employed by the Fair, and local reporters will be present taking pictures and footage at the event. These images may be used, without further notification, at a later date to market this event. All persons entering the Fair are subject to having their image and/or likeness reproduced for promotional and/or publicity purposes in Fair, Sponsor or Media photography, video, broadcasts and/or webcasts. If you have any issues with this, notify the Fair Office.

Prices, policies, programs, schedules, entertainment and shows are subject to change or cancellation without notice. The Fair is not responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced tickets and/or tickets. Ticket holder assume responsibility for him/her self as well as for each minor in the charge of ticket holder. No rain checks. No refunds. The Cabarrus County Fair reserves the right, without any refund of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission to or eject any person from the Fair for inappropriate conduct. Persons entering the facility assume all risks incidental to the event.

The 2025 Fair is September 5-13. Hours of operation during the Fair are: • Monday: 4pm - 10pm (opens at 3pm for Seniors) • Tuesday (2-can night): 4pm - 10pm • Wednesday (school night): 3pm - 10pm (opening one hour early since it’s a half day of school for CCS students) • Thursday (carload night): 4pm - 10pm • Fridays: 4pm - midnight • Saturdays: 1pm - midnight • Sunday: 1pm - 10pm

There is a large variety of things to eat at the Fair. All your favorites will be there, including: roasted corn, cotton candy, funnel cakes, turkey legs, kabobs, ice cream, fried oreos and so much more! Also, many local vendors are participating in this year's Fair.

The Fair is open rain or shine. However, bad or severe weather can close, delay or cancel the Fair entirely or just some attractions and events. In the event of cancelations and/or inclement weather, the Cabarrus County Fair does not offer refunds or rainchecks.

For the safety and security of our patrons, re-entry back into the Fair is prohibited. Notice to Ticket Holders: Prices, policies, programs, schedules, entertainment and shows are subject to change or cancellation without notice. The Fair is not responsible for lost, stolen, misplaced tickets and/or tickets. Ticket holder assume responsibility for him/her self as well as for each minor in the charge of ticket holder. No rain checks. No refunds. The Cabarrus County Fair reserves the right, without any refund of the ticket purchase price, to refuse admission to or eject any person from the Fair for inappropriate conduct. Persons entering the facility assume all risks incidental to the event

The fairgrounds is located at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, a Cabarrus County property, which follows city/county smoking rules. Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed in any building. Smoke/vape only in designated areas.

Shirts and shoes required. Patrons entering the facility assume all risks incidental to the event. Fair staff reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any person violating any law, rule or policy or acting in any manor deemed inappropriate by management. The Fair does not provide refunds. All persons entering the Fair are subject to random search! The following items are prohibited in the Fairgrounds: • Backpacks and bags larger than 17” x 14” x 8”. All bags are subject to search before entering. • Weapons • Alcohol, illegal drugs or substances • Bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards or roller skates • Balloons of any kind • Drones • Fireworks • Laser pointers • Banners, signs, posters or fliers • Bull horns or air horns • Food and beverages of any type • Coolers, bottles and cans • Glass containers • Lawn chairs • Pets • Selfie sticks • Cameras and recording devices capable of producing professional-quality photos, video or audio recording

September 5, 6, 12 and 13. The rodeo starts at 6:30 pm each night.

The Sheriff’s and EMS Stations are located in front of Gold Hall on the Midway. What if someone gets lost? Lost persons will be brought to the Sheriff's station. Fairgoers should also report a lost person on the grounds to the Sheriff's station immediately. What is an item gets lost? Lost items should also be turned into to the Sheriff's station. After 24 hours of being unclaimed, the lost item will be turned over to the Fair Office. You can contact the Fair Office at 704-920-3992 after that time period and they will check to see if it has been turned in.

The Cabarrus County Fair and Rodeo is managed by Cabarrus County Government. Rides and games are operated by Powers Great American Midways. The rodeo is operated by Southern Rodeo Company.

There are no alcohol sales at the Fair or Rodeo.