Welcome to Appalachian Fair
Appalachian Fair is a festival and venue destination located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Our fairgrounds host an annual fair event that draws visitors from all over the region, and our versatile venue space is perfect for hosting a wide range of events throughout the year. Join us for the 2026 fair, taking place from August 22-29, 2026.
Appalachian Fair
PO Box 8218
Johnson City, TN 37615
100 Lakeview Street
Gray, TN 37615
423.477.3211
appalachianfair@gmail.com
Office hours:
9am-4pm Monday-Friday
Member of:
The Appalachian Fair Association, Inc. is a non-profit, agricultural, and educational organization dedicated to promoting agriculture, youth development, and community engagement throughout the Appalachian Highlands region. Since its founding, the Fair has served as a gathering place where families, farmers, and communities come together to celebrate the traditions and future of agriculture and rural life.
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Working in partnership with local schools, regional Extension offices, and youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA, the Appalachian Fair provides valuable educational opportunities while highlighting the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. These partnerships play a vital role in the continued success of the Fair, and schools throughout the region are encouraged to support and participate in the many exhibits, competitions, and learning opportunities offered each year.
The Fair features a wide variety of competitive exhibits, with attractive premium payouts designed to encourage participation in all departments. Citizens from across the Appalachian Highlands are warmly invited to exhibit their talents, agricultural products, and craftsmanship, while visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend and experience the traditions of the Appalachian Fair.
Founded in 1926, the Appalachian Fair has been a cornerstone of the region for nearly a century. In September 1937, the Appalachian Fair Association, Incorporated was formally established as a Tennessee Agricultural Nonprofit Corporation and recognized as a 501(c)(5) organization. In 2021, the Association began the process of transitioning to 501(c)(3) status to further expand its educational and community-focused mission.
Under the leadership of its Board of Directors, the Appalachian Fair continues to grow and evolve while honoring its agricultural roots. One of the organization's primary goals is to support and strengthen agriculture education while helping the public better understand the vital role agriculture plays in our communities. Agriculture remains the number one industry in the State of Tennessee, and the Fair proudly serves as a platform to celebrate and promote this important heritage.
The Appalachian Fair welcomes visitors from across a 150-mile radius of Upper East Tennessee, including communities in Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. With a diverse lineup of exhibits, competitions, entertainment, and educational programming, the Fair offers something for every age group and interest.
In 2025, the Appalachian Fair welcomed more than 160,000 visitors during its six-day fair week. When combined with the many events hosted on the fairgrounds throughout the year, the facility now welcomes over one million visitors annually, making it one of the most active community event centers in the Appalachian Highlands.
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Our Mission
To provide top-quality, affordable entertainment and facilities that promote agriculture and agricultural education through events held during the Appalachian Fair and throughout the year, while consistently delivering exceptional service to our community and visitors.
