Partnership Brings a New Era for the Tennessee State Fair
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
The Tennessee State Fair recently got a major facelift by partnering with the Wilson County Fair to become the new and improved Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair. Following the 2021 merger, the revamped fair experienced record visitor numbers for 2022, breaking previous attendance records for 9 of the 10 days of the event.
“It is very unique to have a county fair and the state fair held together at one time,” says Helen McPeak, executive director of Wilson County Promotions Inc., the organization that has produced the Wilson County Fair since 1979. “There is so much to see and do that you can’t see it all in one visit. You can come all 10 days and not see the same thing. There are 11 entertainment stages, more than 150 livestock shows, different motorsports events each night, more than 60 carnival rides, 90 concession stands, multiple exhibits and more.”
Two Fairs Become One
After almost a century held at the Nashville Fairgrounds, the state fair struggled in recent years with space constraints, parking woes and redevelopment concerns.
Organizers announced in 2021 that the fair would be moved to the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon and would be held in conjunction with the highly successful Wilson County Fair.
The Wilson County Fair, which has grown to be the largest fair in Tennessee, has been listed in the Top 50 Fairs and Expositions nationwide for 15 years.
“Without a doubt, the reason the Wilson County Fair has won Champion of Champions so many times and placed in the Top 50 Fairs and Expositions in the nation is because it is operated primarily by volunteers,” says Lyndon LaFevers, a member of the fair’s Executive Committee and chairman of the Poultry and Rabbit Division. “We have an awesome paid fair staff, and they support the 300 volunteers on the Board of Directors who oversee more than 1,000 other volunteers who are very passionate about what they do to make our fair great. The hearts of these people reflect in all the exhibits the fairgoers enjoy year after year.”
Watertown High School senior Anna Powell serves on the Junior Fair Board and shows livestock at the fair.
“I’ve been part of the fair for as long as I can remember,” Powell says. “My family has been extremely involved in the fair through volunteer work, the fair office and helping with livestock shows. You can talk to anyone working at the fair and you will see they are always looking to make it a better place.”
LaFevers believes another reason for the fair’s success is that it has remained rooted in agriculture.
“We strive to be Tennessee’s largest outdoor classroom,” he says.
The state fair’s partnership with Wilson County has been a win-win for both organizations.
As the official Tennessee State Fair, it now qualifies for more funding from corporate sponsors as well as the state.
“This funding will allow us to make many improvements in a timely manner, like more restrooms and improving our infrastructure to get people in and out more smoothly,” LaFevers says.
Bringing 95 Counties Together
The fair will continue to showcase Wilson County’s people and talents in addition to hosting statewide competitions for all Tennesseans. In addition, all Tennessee fairs can bring their winners’ exhibits to compete in the Best of Tennessee State Fair Champion contests.
The 2022 fair also debuted a special exhibit showcasing all 95 counties in Tennessee. The exhibit, called Travel Tennessee, invited fairgoers to travel the entire state, learning about each county’s industries, special places, interesting facts and people.
“We want this to be a true state fair,” McPeak says. “Competition winners must win at their county fair in order to compete in the Best of Tennessee State Fair competitions. There are other competitions open for anyone in the state to compete in, but this competition is a qualifier. That’s why we would love for every county to have a fair so they can participate.”
Powell also appreciates how the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair focuses on a different agricultural commodity each year, such as dairy, wool or beef.
“We do this to educate the public on the agriculture industry and its importance in our daily lives,” she says. “I hope this new partnership will increase the number of people who come to the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair and see what our community has to offer.”
If You Go…
Pack up your friends and family and make plans to attend the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair Aug. 17-26. The 2023 event is the “Year of Corn” with the theme “All Rows Lead to Tennessee in ’23.”
The fair is located at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center at 945 E. Baddour Parkway in Lebanon. For more information and daily schedules, visit wilsoncountyfair.net.