The Cabarrus County Fair returns Sept. 11-19 with nine days of rides, livestock shows, live music and fair food — along with several new and expanded attractions at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center.
Among this year’s highlights are a massive balloon art installation created from tens of thousands of balloons, four nights of professional rodeo, an expanded lineup of live music and more local vendors.
“The County Fair is a tradition that brings our community together year after year, and I’m excited to see it come to life again,” Fair Executive Director Courtney Wyatt said in a press release. “From longtime favorites to new experiences, there’s something for everyone. We hope folks will come out, make memories and celebrate with us.”
The nine-day fair will begin Friday, Sept. 11, with a 3:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The ceremony, which will take place 30 minutes before the fair opens, will include a pipe and drum performance, the national anthem, an honor guard and other special tributes.
This year’s fair follows a strong 2025 showing, when the nine-day event generated about $767,000 in revenue, up from $575,000 in 2024, according to figures presented to Cabarrus County commissioners late last year.
With expenses totaling about $796,000, the 2025 fair came close to breaking even — a significant milestone for an event that county officials had worked to put on stronger financial footing.
Attendance reached 57,013 over nine days last year, up from about 40,000 in 2024. Nearly 11,000 people attended on the final day alone, with the crowd so large that parking filled and some visitors had to be turned away.
Professional rodeo returns for four nights
After debuting at the Cabarrus County Fair last year, professional rodeo will return for four nights on Sept. 11, 12, 18 and 19.
Each night will have a different theme: All-American Rodeo, featuring a fair bandana giveaway while supplies last; Retro Rodeo; Neon/Glow Rodeo, featuring a glow stick giveaway; and Denim and Diamonds.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with competition beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Events will include bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing, team roping, calf roping, breakaway roping and steer wrestling.
The rodeo is produced by Southern Rodeo Co., a Georgia-based, family-owned company that was named International Professional Rodeo Association Stock Contractor of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
General admission rodeo tickets are $25, while children 2 and younger are admitted free. Rodeo tickets include same-day admission to the fair, and ticket holders can enter the fair before and after the rodeo.
Massive balloon display among new attractions
One of the fair’s most distinctive new attractions will take over Gold Hall 1.
Poppin’ Penelope will create an immersive balloon art environment using tens of thousands of balloons, working around the clock to transform the building.
Fairgoers will be able to visit the display before and after exploring the midway and see how the installation transforms throughout their visit.
Gold Hall 2 will once again house the Fair Mercantile, showcasing local arts, crafts and artisan food vendors. Offerings will include a hat bar, tallow products, homemade cookies, jams, jellies and other items.
Other attractions include the Dynamo Dogs, Dangerous Feats of Comedy, Eudora Farms petting zoo, Robinson’s Racing Pigs and a youth tractor driving competition.
More live music
The fair will also feature what organizers describe as its largest live music lineup yet, with performances included with fair admission.
Mak Marie will perform from 7-7:45 p.m. and 9-9:45 p.m. Sept. 11, followed by The Legacy Motown Revue at the same times Sept. 12.
The Towers will perform from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 13; the Corey Stevenson Band from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 14; Landon Cline from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 15; Robert Hunter from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 17; and Kayla McKinney from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 18.
Personal lawn chairs are permitted for the performances but are subject to search at the gate.
Livestock shows return to main arena
Livestock shows will again be held in the main arena, providing additional seating and space for competitors and spectators.
The Open Horse/Mule/Donkey Show begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.
Youth livestock competitions begin with the Youth Sheep Show at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, followed by the Youth Goat Show at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15, Youth Dairy Show at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16 and Youth Beef Show at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17.
Admission and discount nights
Regular fair admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-11 and adults 55 and older. Children 5 and younger and military personnel with a valid ID or badge are admitted free.
Several special admission promotions are planned throughout the fair.
Senior Day on Monday, Sept. 14, will include free admission from 4-6 p.m. for those 55 and older. Senior Bingo begins at 2:30 p.m. in the Cabarrus Rooms.
On $2 Tuesday, Sept. 15, fairgoers can receive $2 off admission by donating two nonperishable food items. Rides will also cost $2, or two credits, that day.
Students in Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools will receive free admission for School Night on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Carload Night returns Thursday, Sept. 17, offering admission and ride wristbands for up to six people for $90. The group does not have to arrive in the same vehicle but must be together when purchasing tickets at the booth. The promotion offers savings for groups of three or more.
Discount-night tickets must be purchased in person.
Fair and rodeo tickets are also available online through Etix, with additional fees applying to online purchases.
For more information, including the complete fair schedule and ticket information, visit the Cabarrus County Fair website.
So the fair lost money last year, correct? In spite of having more traffic and making substantially more money?
Had the Cabarrus County Fair been profitable before? Or did it at least break even? Or did it always lose money?