The 177th Walworth County Fair: A Complete Guide to Elkhorn's Biggest Tradition

Every year as summer winds down, Walworth County throws one last big celebration before fall takes over, and it happens to be one of the oldest and largest county fairs in the entire state. The Walworth County Fair returns to Elkhorn for its 177th year, running Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2026, with the theme Glitter and Gold, A Fair to Behold. Whether you have been going since you were a kid or have never set foot on the fairgrounds, here is everything worth knowing about this Labor Day weekend tradition, just a short drive from Lake Geneva.

A Fair With Nearly 180 Years of History

The Walworth County Fair traces its roots back to 1842, when the Walworth County Agricultural Society was first founded. The very first county fair and cattle show on record was held in the village of East Troy in 1850, and the fair moved to Elkhorn the following year. After a brief detour to Delavan in 1853, the fair returned to Elkhorn for good in 1854.

The first parcel of fairground land, about six acres purchased from Colonel Edward Elderkin, was bought in 1855, and the fair has called that same stretch of ground home ever since. Today the fairgrounds span nearly 99 acres in the heart of Elkhorn, the county seat of Walworth County.

In the fair's earlier decades, special trains once carried visitors in from as far as Rockford and Freeport, Illinois, unloading up to 19 trains a day during peak fair season. That kind of regional draw has never really faded. The Walworth County Fair still pulls visitors from across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois every Labor Day weekend, and it remains one of Wisconsin's largest and most beloved county fairs.

This Year's Theme and Milestone

The 2026 fair carries the theme Glitter and Gold, A Fair to Behold, marking the 60th anniversary of the Fairest of the Fair program alongside the fair's own long running heritage. Organizers have also woven in a celebration of Walworth County's role in America's 250th anniversary, with special programming throughout the week honoring the nation's founding.

When and Where

The fair runs Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, located at 411 East Court Street in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. General parking on the fairgrounds is free, and the site is roughly a fifteen to twenty minute drive from downtown Lake Geneva, making it an easy addition to a Labor Day weekend trip.

What to See on the Grandstand

The Grandstand lineup is always one of the biggest draws of fair week, and 2026 brings a genuinely stacked schedule.

• Wednesday, September 2: Rice Pro Rodeo, followed by a concert from Bella Cain

• Thursday, September 3: Truck and Tractor Pulls

• Friday, September 4: Entertainment to be announced

• Saturday, September 5: Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd

• Sunday, September 6: Grammy winning artist Ludacris, with guest DJ Bizzon

• Monday, September 7: The crowd favorite Demolition Derby, closing out the fair on Labor Day

Grandstand tickets are typically sold separately from general fair admission, so it is worth checking ticket details ahead of time if a specific show is the main reason for your visit.

Barnyard Adventure and Free Attractions

Beyond the Grandstand, a huge portion of the fair experience is included with general admission. Barnyard Adventure, the fair's award winning agriculture education area, celebrates its 26th year in 2026 and gives families a hands on introduction to farm life, complete with a working observation beehive from the Walworth County Beekeepers Association, monarch butterfly displays with daily butterfly releases, a certified Monarch Way Station, pollinator gardens, and rotating presentations on gardening, cooking, and old world crafts.

Elsewhere on the grounds, fairgoers can wander through livestock barns filled with cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits, explore exhibit buildings packed with quilts, photography, baked goods, and antiques, catch performances on Peggy's Park Stage, and watch competitions at the Elkhorn Equestrian Event Center.

Saturday morning brings a fair favorite, Combines for Kids, where children can climb aboard and ride a combine around the historic racetrack for a free will donation that supports the Discovery Barn's agricultural education programs.

Celebrating Walworth County's 250th Anniversary

Sponsored by Walworth County, the county's 250th American Celebration adds a special layer to this year's fair. On Thursday, a Revolutionary War soldier reenactor brings history to life with a presentation on Peggy's Park Stage. The celebration officially kicks off on opening day, Wednesday, September 2, right after the fair's Opening Ceremony, when the Walworth County Board of Supervisors hosts a ribbon cutting for the newly restored historic Log Cabin on the fairgrounds. Thursday evening also brings a patriotic drone show, lighting up the night sky in a synchronized tribute to America's 250th birthday.

Fair Food Worth Planning Around

No trip to the Walworth County Fair is complete without working through the food lineup. Expect all the Wisconsin fair classics, including cream puffs, cheese curds, corn dogs, funnel cakes, and pork chops on a stick, alongside longtime local favorites like Silver Dollar cinnamon rolls and Red Barn elephant ears. Many of the food booths are run by local churches, FFA chapters, and community organizations, so grabbing a meal on the grounds also supports the groups behind it.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

The fairgrounds cover nearly 100 acres, so comfortable shoes go a long way. Parking is free, and admission is charged separately from carnival ride wristbands and most Grandstand shows, so it helps to plan your budget with both in mind. Wednesday tends to draw an opening day crowd for the rodeo, Saturday and Sunday bring the biggest concert crowds, and Monday's Demolition Derby is the classic way to send off the fair and the summer at once. Evenings can turn cool even in early September, so a light jacket is worth packing if you are staying for a nighttime show.

Tickets for admission and Grandstand entertainment should only be purchased through the fair's official website and its authorized ticketing partner, since tickets bought through outside brokers are not guaranteed to be valid.

Plan Your Visit

For the full schedule, ticket information, and any last minute updates, visit WalworthCountyFair.com. You can also find year round information on the fairgrounds itself, including other events held on the same historic grounds, at WalworthCountyFairgrounds.com.

Nearly 180 years after its first cattle show in East Troy, the Walworth County Fair is still doing exactly what it set out to do, bringing the community together for one last great celebration before summer turns to fall. Whether you are there for the rodeo, the rock concert, the demolition derby, or just a warm cinnamon roll and an afternoon in the animal barns, the 177th Walworth County Fair is worth the short drive from Lake Geneva.

Find more local guides and things to do around Lake Geneva at bestoflakegeneva.com!