Your Guide to the 2026 Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo: Schedule & Details

The countdown is on! The 2026 Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo returns to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington September 10–12, bringing three days of rides, livestock, live entertainment, exhibits, food, family activities and plenty of good old-fashioned fair fun.

This year's theme, “Stars & Stripes Over Carnival Lights,” celebrates America's 250th anniversary while bringing together two things that make the fair special — American pride and the lights, excitement and nostalgia of a county fair.

A Theme Created by Our Community

This year's theme has a special connection to the fair. The Village of Kerrs Creek, our 2026 Presenting Sponsor, created the theme as a way to celebrate America's 250th anniversary while capturing the fun, nostalgia and excitement of the fair.

Their support goes beyond the theme. The Village of Kerrs Creek is making a meaningful community contribution to this year's fair as our Presenting Sponsor, helping bring this year's celebration to life and supporting a tradition that brings our region together.

It's a fitting theme for 2026 — a little American pride, a little carnival nostalgia and a whole lot of community spirit.

When & Where

September 10–12, 2026
Virginia Horse Center
487 Maury River Road, Lexington, VA 24450

Admission to the fair is FREE. The midway and some featured activities have separate costs.

Parking

Parking is available at the Virginia Horse Center. A $5 free-will donation is suggested to help support the fair. Every donation helps us continue this community tradition.

And there’s a little extra fun attached to your support: for every $5 donation, you’ll receive one entry form for a chance to win a Blackstone griddle, donated by our friends at Rockbridge Farmers Co-op. It’s a great way to support the fair while having a chance to take home something useful for your own backyard cooking! The drawing will be held at the conclusion of the fair, and you do not need to be present to win.

Don't Miss the Fair Map

With activities spread across the Virginia Horse Center grounds, take a look at the fair map before you arrive. It will help you find the Midway, Food Vendors, Expo, Farmer's Market, Farm Toy/Vendor Show, Cowboy Circus, Live Entertainment, Livestock, Fair Farm and 4-H Poultry Show.

Thursday, September 10

Thursday kicks off three full days of fair fun, with livestock, exhibits, rides and evening entertainment getting underway.

The 4-H/FFA Market Animal Show begins at 2:00 PM. The Midway opens at 4:00 PM, and Quilts in the Country opens in the Appomattox Mezzanine of Anderson Coliseum.

That evening, head to Barn 7 – The Big Lonely for the Mechanical Bull Riding Competition. Registration opens at 6:00 PM, with open bull riding from 6:00–7:00 PM and the competition from 7:00–9:00 PM. The competition features awards for longest ride, most stylish dismount, most entertaining rider and best dressed cowboy/cowgirl.

Thursday Highlights

• 2:00 PM — 4-H/FFA Market Animal Show
• 4:00–10:00 PM — Midway
• 4:00–8:00 PM — Quilts in the Country
• 4:00–8:00 PM — Fair Farm
• 6:00 PM — Cow Milking & Sheep Shearing Demonstrations
• 6:00–7:00 PM — Open Mechanical Bull Riding
• 7:00–9:00 PM — Mechanical Bull Riding Competition

Friday, September 11

Friday brings more livestock action, the quilts and exhibits, the Midway and an evening focused on local talent.

Livestock Showmanship Classes begin at 10:00 AM, while Quilts in the Country is open from 10:00 AM–8:00 PM.

At 6:00 PM, the 4-H/FFA Market Animal Sale gives fairgoers an opportunity to support the young exhibitors who have spent months raising and preparing their projects.

Then it's time for music. Open Mic Night, featuring Grant Bryant and The Blue Ridge Boys, runs from 6:30–9:00 PM. Feel free to bring your folding chairs to the music events; some bleacher seating will also be provided.

Friday Highlights

• 10:00 AM — 4-H/FFA Livestock Showmanship
• 10:00 AM–8:00 PM — Quilts in the Country
• 4:00–10:00 PM — Midway
• 4:00–8:00 PM — Fair Farm
• 6:00 PM — Cow Milking Demonstration
• 6:00 PM — 4-H/FFA Market Animal Sale
• 6:30–9:00 PM — Open Mic Night featuring Grant Bryant & The Blue Ridge Boys

Saturday, September 12

Saturday is the big finale, with activities beginning in the morning and continuing well into the evening.

The day starts with the 4-H/FFA Livestock Breeding Shows at 9:00 AM. Also beginning at 9:00 AM is the Farm Toy/Vendor Show, organized by the Rockbridge County High School FFA.

From 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, the special Farmer's Market brings together vendors from Buena Vista, Fairfield, Kerrs Creek, Lexington City, Natural Bridge and Rockbridge Baths. These local markets are skipping their regularly scheduled markets to join us at the fair for this special one-day collaboration.

Quilts in the Country is open from 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, while the Midway opens at noon and stays open until 11:00 PM.

The afternoon brings some of the fair's most entertaining traditions: the Pedal Pull at 1:30 PM, Redneck/Barnyard Olympics at 2:30 PM and Critter Scramble at 4:00 PM.

Then it's time to end the fair in true 1980s style. We Love the '80s Night featuring Amulet takes the stage from 6:30–10:30 PM. Bring your folding chair, dress for the decade and get ready to dance!

Saturday Highlights

• 9:00 AM — 4-H/FFA Livestock Breeding Shows
• 9:00 AM–2:00 PM — Farm Toy/Vendor Show
• 10:00 AM–2:00 PM — Farmer's Market
• 10:00 AM–8:00 PM — Quilts in the Country
• Noon–11:00 PM — Midway
• 1:30 PM — Pedal Pull
• 2:30 PM — Redneck/Barnyard Olympics
• 4:00 PM — Critter Scramble
• 4:00–8:00 PM — Fair Farm
• 6:00 PM — Cow Milking & Sheep Shearing Demonstrations
• 6:30–10:30 PM — We Love the '80s Night featuring Amulet

Poultry Show

Be sure to stop by the Reel Arena/East Complex to see the poultry raised and shown by members of the Rockbridge County 4-H Poultry Club. Poultry will be on display throughout most of the fair, giving fairgoers a chance to see the birds up close and learn more about the work and care that goes into raising them.

Cowboy & Cowgirl Circus

Keep an eye out for the Cowboy & Cowgirl Circus, featuring Danny and Lindsay Grant.

Danny's Cowboy Circus brings trick roping, comedy and audience participation to the Reel Arena/East Complex, while Lindsay's Cowgirl Circus roams the fairgrounds with her one-of-a-kind CATTLEAC and plenty of roping skills and interaction.

It's an attraction you can enjoy while exploring the rest of the fair.

Showtimes:

• Thursday, September 10: 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
• Friday, September 11: 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
• Saturday, September 12: 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM & 7:00 PM
• Lindsay Grant’s Cowgirl Circus: roaming attraction throughout the fairgrounds.
  

The Midway

The Midway is provided by Fun Time Family Amusements from Wise, Virginia, with approximately 10–12 quality rides.

A $25 wristband gives riders a great way to enjoy the rides throughout their visit.

Midway Hours

• Thursday: 4:00–10:00 PM
• Friday: 4:00–10:00 PM
• Saturday: Noon–11:00 PM

Photos of midway rides featured in fair promotions are representative of the types of rides that may be available. Actual rides are subject to the vendor's available inventory and may vary.

Food, Drinks & Fair Favorites

What's a fair without fair food?

Food vendors will be serving up plenty of favorites throughout the weekend, so come hungry and leave room for a snack, sweet treat or meal while you're enjoying the fair.

The Beer Garden will also be open during the featured evening entertainment events for guests 21 and older.

A Few More Things to Know

The fairgrounds can be busy, and there's a lot to see. Give yourself plenty of time to wander between the different areas, and check the schedule before you arrive if there's something you don't want to miss.

The main grounds are gravel, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Bathrooms are available in each building, and families with young children are welcome to bring strollers. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be available near the Midway for your convenience.

Planning to enjoy the music? Some bleacher seating will be available for live entertainment in Barn 7, but feel free to bring your own folding chairs if you’d like to sit back and get comfortable!

Whether you're watching a livestock show, voting for your favorite quilt, riding the Midway, grabbing something delicious to eat or dancing to Amulet, there's plenty of opportunity to make your own fair memories.

When and Where to Find It All

Virginia Horse Center - Lexington, Virginia
September 10–12, 2026
Fair admission: FREE
Suggested parking donation: $5
Theme: Stars & Stripes Over Carnival Lights

Midway:
Thursday 4:00–10:00 PM | Friday 4:00–10:00 PM | Saturday Noon–11:00 PM

Quilts in the Country:
Thursday 4:00–8:00 PM | Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM

Saturday:
Farm Toy/Vendor Show 9:00 AM–2:00 PM | Farmer's Market 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

The Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We are grateful to these businesses, organizations and community partners for helping bring “Stars & Stripes Over Carnival Lights” to life!

Presenting Sponsor

The Village of Kerrs Creek

2026 Fair Sponsors

• 3WZ 96.7 & Big Dawg 100.3
• Augusta Health
• Austin Electrical Construction, Inc.
• Bank of Botetourt
• Carilion Clinic
• Carter Bank
• Cornerstone Bank
• Devil's Backbone
• DuPont Community Credit Union
• Farm Credit
• First Bank & Trust Company
• Heritage Woodwork
• Houff Corporation
• James Allen Printing
• Magic City Ford
• McDonald Ag & Diesel Repair
• Mt. Joy Meats
• Rockbridge County Farm Bureau
• Rockbridge Farmer’s Co-op
• Rockbridge Pieceworkers Quilt Guild
• Smith Farms
• Spencer Home Center
• Wawa
• Washington & Lee University
• Windy Hollow Farm

We sincerely thank each of our sponsors for investing in the Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo and helping us continue this community tradition.

Come Make Some Memories

Three days can go by quickly when there's this much to see and do.

Maybe you'll come for the livestock. Maybe the kids will have their eyes on the Midway. Maybe you're looking forward to the music, the quilts, the Cowboy Circus, the Farmer's Market or a good fair-food dinner.

Whatever brings you through the gates, “Stars & Stripes Over Carnival Lights” is an invitation to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, enjoy the nostalgia of the fair and celebrate the people and organizations who help make this community tradition possible.