The Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair Delivers Family-Friendly Fun
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
There may be 95 counties in the state, but there is only one place you can learn about the unique agricultural contributions of them all – the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair. Just take a trip to the state fair this summer.
“Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in our state,” says Helen McPeak, executive director of the fair. “Every August, the fair is our opportunity to showcase the spirit and creativity of our top industry and to celebrate the contributions of each of the 95 counties. Our goal is to provide a family-friendly experience that focuses on educating and entertaining fairgoers.”
See more: New Exhibits at the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair Bring Agriculture to the Forefront
With nearly 750,000 fair visitors in 2023, the second-highest attendance since the fair began, it’s obvious the dedicated team of agriculture leaders and volunteers from across the state who plan the event know how to create an experience that delivers on that goal.
Fairgoers who come back year after year anticipate visiting 4-H and FFA exhibits; enjoying their favorite carnival rides, food and shows; and participating in or cheering on others in a wide variety of competitions, from bake-offs to talent contests. They might come because they want to attend some of the nearly 160 livestock shows or enjoy entertainment on any of the 15 stages. But they also know that each year they’ll find something new.
See more: Partnership Brings a New Era for the Tennessee State Fair
“We have a strong focus on educating fairgoers about where their food comes from,” says Shari Bazydola, assistant fair manager. “Every year we celebrate a different agricultural commodity and work to include unique ways to showcase Tennessee products so that there is always something new for our visitors to learn about and enjoy.”
Making It Local
In 2023, one of the new initiatives was the Pick Tennessee Products Experience.
“We set out to create a space where the public could come to learn about products that are grown and made in our state and to enable producers to market them,” says Andy Holt, assistant commissioner for business development at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
See more: Find Delicious Made-in-Tennessee Food and More Through Pick Tennessee Products
The idea began with the construction of a Pick Tennessee Products Experience and store. Made with seven different species of Tennessee hardwoods, a storefront provided a unique opportunity to showcase and educate fairgoers about the state’s forest products industry. Inside the building housing the Experience, product giveaways, agricultural commodity displays, and a demonstration stage extended the education and the interaction.
“With 65 vendors providing products local to Tennessee, the store had more than $63,000 in sales over the 10 days of the fair. We consider that a success,” Holt says. “We also offered a farm-to-table dinner experience that gave fairgoers a chance to reserve a space at the table and enjoy a meal where everything that passed their lips was grown or made right here in our state. Through these new ideas, we were able to create opportunities for citizens to experience the breadth and diversity of Tennessee agriculture, from Tiptonville to Copperhill. That’s a real point of pride.”
See more: Pick Tennessee Products Celebrates 30 Years
Both the Pick Tennessee Products Experience and the farm-to-table dinner, along with other new activities like mom-calling, husband-calling and a monster truck show will continue in 2024.
“These additions really created a ‘wow’ factor at the fair,” McPeak says. “Our volunteers and planning team are always looking for ways to engage and educate. Their dedicated efforts allow us to keep surprising our visitors.”
Fun for Everyone
While the fair might make you think of fried food and the Ferris wheel, the Wilson County Fair – Tennessee State Fair offers so much more. If you’d like to compete for a fair title, learn more at wilsoncountytnstatefair.com/p/competitions-exhibits.
If You Go…
The 2024 Tennessee State Fair will be held Aug. 15-24 in Lebanon. For more information about fair contests and competitions, as well as the revival of the State Fair Dairy Challenge, visit wilsoncountytnstatefair.com.
