For questions call 501-317-5452. Leave a voicemail or send a text.
The Saline County Fair is coming, and along with it are the annual pageant, parade and rodeo. The theme this year is “Cowbells and Carousels.” This fun annual event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd through Saturday the 6th.
This is all possible through sponsors: Everett Chevrolet, Farmers’ Association, and Saline County Farm Bureau. If you would also like to be a sponsor, contact the Saline County Fair Association at 501-860-6585 or [email protected].
Read below for details on Pageant, Parade, Rides, Exhibits & Rodeo:
In order of when things happen, here’s your info about the Pageant, Parade, Fair, Vendors, Rides, Exhibits, & Rodeo:
PAGEANT
The 2025 Saline County Fair Queen Pageant is first in the line of events – to be held August 30th at the Saline County Fairgrounds, Fair Office Building, Benton, AR. Read the details below and if you have any questions, contact Tara Shelton, Director 501-317-8239 or at [email protected]. This year’s entry form is at THIS LINK.
DIVISIONS:
BOYS
Baby Mister 0-2 years
Little Mister 3-5 years
GIRLS
Baby Miss 0-11 months
Toddler Miss 12-23 months
Teeny Miss 2 years
Tiny Miss 3 years
Little Miss 4-5 years
Petite Miss 6-7 years
Young Miss 8-9 years
Preteen Miss 10-13 years
Junior Miss 14-17 years
Miss 18-23 years – must be graduating senior
Ms. 20-39 years Sr. Ms. 40+ years
(Ms. & Sr. Ms. will be combined if there are not 3 contestants in each group)
PARADE
The parade is set for 6pm Tuesday, September 2nd. Locals line the streets to view the procession of newly crowned pageant queens, area businesses, politicians, horses, fire trucks and more. The spectacle begins at CW Lewis Stadium at 411 S. Market Street and circles historic downtown Benton.
Participate in the 2025 Saline County Fair Parade. See the parade route and instructions below. Entry forms are at THIS LINK. If you choose to compete in the Float Contest, the prizes are $200 for 1st Place, $125 for 2nd Place, and $75 for 3rd Place.
Click images to enlarge them.
FAIR
The fairgrounds opens at 406 Fairfield Road in Benton, at 9am with cultural art exhibits. At 6pm, exhibitors will be in place and the carnival begins, with all the Rides, Food and Fun.
VENDORS
The Fair is accepting a limited number of outdoor commercial booth rentals.
Commercial booth rentals are open to any person who sells some sort of beauty products, candles, clothing, lawn equipment, tractors, yard décor, jewelry, purses, wood crafts, wreaths, politicians, churches, law enforcement, special interest organizations, or any person or business interested.
Apply at https://form.jotform.com/241584585421157.
FOOD
There will be lots of great fair food but don’t skip out on the Extension Homemakers Kitchen “Home Cookin.” We’ll post the menu soon, but for now, here’s a picture of the building where you can get diner favorites like burgers, dogs, chili pie, and nachos, but also, like the title says, “Home Cookin'” like chicken & dumplings, beans & cornbread, meatloaf, chicken spaghetti – oh and desserts – things like cherry pie, apple pie, pecan pie, and fried pies which several choices for filling.
You’ll find the kitchen on the west side of the fairgrounds, next door to the animal exhibits (but don’t tell the chickens I told you).
EXHIBITS
It is time to start getting your arts and crafts, horticulture, and livestock ready to enter the fair. You may register your entries from August 1st through 31st. Go to the Online Fair Entries at https://saline.fairwire.com.
For a complete listing and additional information regarding entries, visit www.salinecountyfairgrounds.com. There is also a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SalineCoFair that will be updated regularly. Livestock and rodeo events will go throughout the week, as will the carnival and other exhibitions. See the events schedule below:
RODEO & EVENTS
Thursday, Aug. 28
1pm – 7pm… Cultural Art exhibits (photos, crafts, canned goods, etc. will be accepted)
Saturday, Aug. 30
9am… Saline County Fair Pageant
Monday, Sept. 1
5pm… 4-H Junior Dog Show & Judging
Tuesday, Sept. 2
9am – 6pm… Cultural Art exhibits (photos, crafts, canned goods, etc. will be accepted)
9am – 6pm… Horticulture and Livestock exhibits will be accepted
6pm… Parade
6pm… Carnival Opens … ARM BAND NIGHT
Wednesday, Sept. 3
9am – 11am… Horticulture items accepted
9am – 11am… Baked Goods accepted
9am – till done… Judging Cultural Art exhibits
1pm… Horticultural Judging
6pm… 4-H Livestock Judging (Cattle, Sheep, Goats & Swine)
6pm… Carnival Opens
Thursday, Sept. 4
8am – 1pm… Youth Livestock Skill-a-thon Contests (Livestock, Rabbit & Poultry) – Show Arena
11:30 am – 1pm… Senior Citizen Day
2pm… Poultry Show
4pm… Poultry & Rabbit Showmanship
6pm… Rabbit Judging
6pm… Carnival Opens … ARM BAND NIGHT
Friday, Sept. 5
8:30 am – 1pm… School Day
8:30 am – 1pm… Special Needs Day (Pre-registration required)
6pm – 6:30 pm… 4-H Pee Wee Show (open to all kids 8 and under)
6pm… Carnival Opens
7pm… Mutton Bustin
8pm… Rodeo
Saturday, Sept. 6
9am… 4-H Pullet Chain Auction
10am… 4-H Premium Sale & Auction
1pm… Carnival Opens … (ARM BAND 1pm – 4pm)
7pm… Mutton Bustin
8pm… Rodeo
9pm… Livestock Exhibits Released
Sunday, Sept. 7
2pm – 3pm… Check out and pick up checks
If you have any questions about the 2025 Saline County Fair Parade, please contact 501-317-5452. Leave a voicemail or send a text.
