County Fair Guide

Tennessee Valley Fair

Knoxville, Tennessee

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2026 Dates

September 11–20, 2026

Duration

10 days

👥

Size

large

🕰

Founded

Since 1916

By the Numbers

The Tennessee Valley Fair has run in Knoxville since 1919, making it one of the oldest fairs in the South. Held each September at Chilhowee Park on the east side of Knoxville, it draws over 100,000 visitors annually — its IAFE Division 2 classification places it in the 100,000–250,000 range — with livestock shows, a midway, carnival rides, and live entertainment filling a week-long run.

Source: tnvalleyfair.org (official)

Highlights

Expect nationally known musical headliners, championship livestock competitions, a massive midway, 4-H and FFA exhibits, competitive displays in every category, and outstanding Tennessee food.

Tennessee Valley Fair Overview

Knoxville's Tennessee Valley Fair is East Tennessee's premier annual event, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state's third-largest city for ten days of world-class entertainment, agriculture, and tradition. First held in 1916, it's carried on as a Tennessee agricultural tradition for well over a hundred years.

Good to Know

Buy advance tickets for top grandstand acts — they sell out weeks ahead. Knoxville's excellent hotel and restaurant scene makes it one of the best fair cities in the South.

Heading to Tennessee Valley Fair?

Our complete packing list covers what actually makes a difference — sun protection, footwear, and the small things people forget until they need them.

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