If you’ve lived in North Florida for any length of time, you know that when April hits, there is only one place you need to visit for a few hours: the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

I’ve been attending this fair for 13 years now, and while the rides get bigger and the concerts get louder, its heart remains exactly the same. It’s a week of fried food, livestock shows, and catching up with neighbors under the neon lights of the midway.

Whether it's your first time or your fifteenth, here is the Local’s Cheat Sheet for the 2026 Fair.

Best Ways to Save

I’ve learned you never pay full price if you pay in advance or hit up the deal days. Here are the "Gold Star" deals you need to know:

The Resident Special (April 2): Opening Day is the time to go if you live local. Clay County residents get in for just $5.00, and ride bands are only $15.00.
The "Give Back" Deal (April 8): Bring a bag of canned goods, school supplies, or pet supplies and get in for just $7.00. It’s the best way to support the community while saving.
The VyStar Power Play (April 9): If you’re a VyStar member, admission is FREE. Plus, it’s BOGO Ride Band Day—buy one $40 band, get one free.
The Student & Teacher Window (April 10): From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, anyone 18 & under, plus teachers and school board employees, get in for FREE.

The Main Events: Beyond the Rides

Here are a few of my favorite things to check out:

The Pig Races: Trust me on this one, it is a mandatory stop. There is nothing like the energy of a crowd cheering for a racing pig. At minimum, you have to stay till they play Oh Yeah by Yello.
The Student Art Exhibit: Make sure to head into the trade show building to see the photography and art from our local schools. It is incredible to see the talent coming out of Clay County. Pro tip: this building has amazing air conditioning!
K-9s in Flight: These frisbee dogs are incredible. It’s easily one of the best shows at the fair.
The Music at Cattleman’s Arena: I’ve seen some absolute legends take that stage—from Vanilla Ice and Sam Hunt to 38 Special and Rodney Atkins. This year keeps it moving with Terri Clark, George Birge, Brett Young, and Crowder.
Peak Florida Culture: You haven't truly experienced Clay County until you’ve seen the Mullet and Mustache contests. It’s exactly as glorious as it sounds.
The Competition: From the Star Talent Search and the Scholarship Pageant to a high-stakes game of Bingo, the community talent is always on full display.

The Early Florida Village: A Walk Through Time

If the midway gets too loud, head over to the Early Florida Village. It’s a unique live-history experience where demonstrators dress in era-appropriate gear to show you how life used to be in the "904."

The Little Red Barn: This is a mandatory stop for anyone with kids (or just anyone who loves animals). It’s home to all the baby farm animals like goats, chicks, rabbits, and pigs.
The Honey House: You can view a glass-encased, living hive of honeybees and search for the Queen Bee while local beekeepers explain why they are so vital to Florida agriculture.
Baxley House Cooking: If you want a break from fried dough, look for the Baxley House. They do country wood-stove cooking demonstrations. You can find things like collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread made from old family recipes.
Survival Tip: The Village is full of shade trees and sitting areas. It’s the best place on the grounds to catch your breath and enjoy the breeze. Note: The Village typically closes at 7:00 PM daily.

The Heart of the Fair

The 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits are the soul of this event.

The Signs: Keep an eye out for the handmade signs on the pens with the punny names (like "Chris P. Bacon").
The Support: Consider participating in the livestock auction. It supports these kids' college funds, and you get to stock your freezer with high-quality, locally-raised meat.

The "Must-Eat" List

Cattlemen’s Association: Anything from this place is amazing but they have my favorite sweet tea in the entire midway.
Fried Gator Tail from the Cedar River Seafood stand.
Walking Tacos: Taco in a huge Dorito bag, it's the perfect midway snack.
Pretzel Corn Dogs: A salty/savory upgrade from your typical corn dog.
Steak Tips with Mushrooms: It's pricer than the snacks but they're amazing.
Deep Fried Oreos & Fresh Lemonade: Mandatory fair dessert.
Donuts: The giant Amish donuts are great and fluffy. If you're braver than I am, you can have a donut burger..

Every year when I walk through those gates, I’m reminded of why I love this tradition so much. The Clay County Fair is a time capsule of everything that makes Clay great.

If you see me out there (likely with the sweet tea in hand), come say hi!