Lebanon's biggest annual swirl of livestock, funnel cakes and carnival lights returns next Thursday, with the 2026 Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair taking over the James E. Ward Agricultural Center for 10 days. The fair runs through Aug. 22, bringing more than 60 rides, 15 entertainment stages and a handful of new attractions to the Wilson County Fairgrounds.
Admission is $14 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 through 12 and free for children 5 and under, according to the fair's official ticket page. A $35 Mega Ticket includes admission and one unlimited-ride armband for any single day, but it must be purchased before the fair begins. The fair opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays and noon on Sunday, with admission gates closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; there are no refunds or rain checks.
New Shows, Animals And A Robot Join The Midway
Beyond the usual rides and fair food, this year's lineup adds a lumberjack show, the Freedom 250 truck, a Timber Callin' Contest, a 4-H Sheep Expo, a Highland Cattle Show and Rock It the Robot. FOX 17’s guide also highlights a petting zoo, more than 150 livestock shows, Fiddlers Grove Historic Village, motorsport events, pageants and competitions in baking, horticulture and creative arts.
The fair's entertainment page promises live music alongside the rides, exhibits and agricultural programming. Carnival hours may stretch later than the admission schedule, running until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 p.m. Sunday, according to fair officials.
Clear Bags And Metal Detectors Will Be Mandatory
Fairgoers will need to pack with the new security rules in mind. The fair's safety policy allows clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one-gallon clear freezer bags and small clutch bags up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches.
Medically necessary items and diaper bags can enter after inspection and tagging, but all bags will be searched and attendees must pass through metal detectors. Weapons are prohibited on the fairgrounds, including for people with concealed-carry permits, so the easiest bag to get through security is still the one left at home.
Free Shuttles Offer A Way Around Fairground Traffic
General on-site parking is free, while preferred parking costs $10 per vehicle per day. The fair's parking information says parking gates close 30 minutes before admission gates, and drivers heading to preferred or handicap parking can turn on their flashers for faster routing.
Free satellite shuttles will run daily from Aug. 13 through Aug. 22, with weekday service from 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday service from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday service from noon to 11 p.m. Pickup points include Cumberland University's football parking lot at 415 Harding Drive and the First Baptist Church and Wilson County Courthouse area at 209 E. Main Street.
For families, the $35 Mega Ticket may be the simplest way to bundle admission and rides, while anyone bringing a purse or backpack should check the measurements before leaving home. With new animal shows, lumberjacks, robots and the usual carnival chaos on the schedule, Lebanon's fair is once again asking visitors to pace themselves — or at least save room for the deep-fried finale.
