The 2026 Russell County Fair is in full swing and will continue until this Saturday, September 12.
During the annual Fair Kickoff, several awards were handed out to some of the fair’s most dedicated and hardest workers.
The Heritage Award was presented to Ernie and Nancy Perkins.
The Fair Person of the Year went to Josh Castle.
A special tribute was also given to Gaines and Lynda Dickenson.
Although the fair is officially halfway over, there are still plenty of highlights on the remaining schedule.
Wednesday, September 9 is Special Needs Day from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
A cornhole tournament and goat show will get underway at 6:00 p.m. Bull riding will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the 4H market goat show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Mountain Highway will provide musical entertainment at 8:00 p.m.
Senior Citizens, those 55 and older, will be admitted free from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., as part of Senior Day.
Pen cattle judging will begin at 2:00 p.m. The horseless cowboy contest is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. The Russell County Horse Show is also scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Gospel acts performing that night will include the Holston River Boys at 6:00 p.m., followed by The Hubbard Family, The Jackson Family, Mike Upright, and Jeff Tolbert and Primitive Road.
School Day is Friday, September 11. School-aged children will be admitted free until 3:00 p.m.
Activities for that day include the youth tractor driving contest at 9:00 a.m., School Day activities beginning at 10:00 a.m., baby crawling contest at noon, toddler stickhorse race at 12:15 p.m., and the carnival will open at 1:00 p.m.
The open poultry show is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. The truck pull will start at 6:00 p.m., with the horse pull beginning at 7:00 p.m. The 4H poultry show and sale is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Gents and Liars will take to the stage at 8:00 p.m.
The last day of the fair, Saturday, September 12, will be a busy one. The Open Western Horse Show, side-by-side race, lineman rodeo, breeding sheep show and horseshoe pitch tournament are all scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.
The commercial sheep show will get underway at 11:00 a.m. Double elimination horseshoe pitch will start at noon, as will more side-by-side races.
The chainsaw demonstration and competition are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The pet show will start at 2:00 p.m.
Weighing of market hogs is at 3:00 p.m., the market hog show at 5:00 p.m. and the open horse show at 6:00 p.m.
Kickn’ Up Dust will headline the main stage at 8:00 p.m.
Daily tickets to the Russell County Fair are $10. Children ages 6-17 are $5 and children under 5 are free. Season tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children.
