It’s County Fair Season: Small Towns to Head to for the Fair This Summer
Aug 5, 2026, 1:31 PM
Northwest Travel Life
Originally published on Northwest Travel & Life.
Summer brings small-town celebrations, where livestock barns, carnival rides, hometown rodeos and plenty of fair food offer one more excuse for a summer road trip. From Washington to Montana, these four fairs pair classic Americana with destinations worth exploring beyond the fairgrounds.
Southwest Washington County Fair
August 11-16, Centralia, Washington
“Join us for six unforgettable days at the 2026 Southwest Washington Fair, where tradition meets celebration! From agriculture and livestock exhibitions to rodeo action, live entertainment, carnival rides, and family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone.
As part of the America 250 celebration, this year’s Fair invites our community to Ride Into History, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking ahead to the future of Southwest Washington. Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and make plans to join us for a week full of tradition, excitement, and community pride at the Southwest Washington Fair!”
Once you’ve had your fill of fair food and rides, make some time for Centralia itself..Its historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and filled with brick buildings, colorful murals, antique shops, locally owned boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. The city sits conveniently along I-5 between Seattle and Portland, making it an easy weekend getaway or road-trip stop.
Also happening on the state fair grounds later in the month is Washington’s tradition of the Garlic Fest, which you can learn more about in this article.
Learn more at southwestwashingtonfair.org.
Plan your trip at cityofcentralia.com.
Sherman County Fair
August 19-22, Moro, Oregon
“Mark your calendars and join us for an exciting week of family fun at the **Sherman County Fair!
There’s something for everyone to enjoy, including: a Dog Show, Sewing Showcase, Kick-Off BBQ, Livestock Shows, Horse Games, Hometown Rodeo, Live Music and Demolition Derby.
Bring your family and friends to experience delicious fair food, local exhibits, exciting entertainment, and the warm hospitality that makes our fair so special.”
Moro is a small, Eastern Oregon community surrounded by wheat fields and located along the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway. While staying here, browse Main Street, stop at the Sherman County Historical Museum or venture to nearby Cottonwood Canyon State Park for hiking and views along the John Day River.
Learn more at facebook.com/events.
Plan your trip at traveloregon.com.
Chouteau County Fair
August 12-16, Fort Benton, Montana
“We’re excited to bring you another year full of fun, entertainment, exhibits, and exciting events for the whole family. There are lots of new and exciting things planned for this year’s fair, and we can’t wait to share more with you!”
While it’s a tradition, held for more than 100 years, its activities are quite unique. For starters, the fair’s 2026 lineup is less concerts and more about horsepower. Thursday brings the Horsepower Battle, followed by the Truck and Tractor Pull on Friday and a Demolition Derby on Saturday. Add livestock competitions and the market livestock sale, and this is a county fair that stays close to its agricultural roots.
While there, explore Fort Benton, known as the “Birthplace of Montana.” Set along the Missouri River, the historic town has four museums, a reconstructed 19th-century fur trading post, a walkable historic downtown and a scenic River Walk. Visitors can even spend the night at the restored 1882 Grand Union Hotel, Montana’s oldest operating hotel.
Learn more at chocofair.com.
Plan your trip at explorefortbenton.com.
Clackamas County Fair
August 18-22, Canby, Oregon
“At the Clackamas County Fair and Event Center, we create lasting memories through events that bring people together. More than just a fairground, we are a pillar of community resilience—ready to celebrate, support, and serve when it matters most.”
The Clackamas County Fair returns to Canby for five days of livestock, carnival rides, entertainment and the Canby Rodeo, with performances scheduled each evening of the fair.
Here, pigs and pies are still very much part of the main event, with livestock and agricultural traditions sharing the spotlight with the sweet side of county-fair competition. Beyond the fairgrounds, Canby sits amid some of Oregon’s richest farmland, where visitors can explore downtown shops and restaurants or make a summer stop at nearby farms and flower fields.
Learn more at clackamascountyfair.com.
Plan your trip at traveloregon.com.
