The Walworth County Fair returns to the fairgrounds in Elkhorn September 2-7, 2026, for its 177th year — six days of carnival rides, livestock barns, grandstand entertainment, and classic fair food that finish on Labor Day itself. It is one of the state's longest-running county fairs, and it sits about fifteen minutes north of Lake Geneva, which makes fair week an easy add-on to a late-summer lake stay.
Why the Walworth County Fair Is Worth the Trip
This is a true agricultural county fair, not a pop-up carnival. The barns fill with dairy cattle, horses, goats, rabbits, and poultry shown by 4-H kids from across Walworth County, and the exhibition halls stack up with pies, quilts, and garden produce competing for ribbons. Layer a full midway and nightly grandstand shows on top and you get a day that works for toddlers, teenagers, and grandparents at the same time — a rare combination.
What to See and Do at the Fair
The Livestock Barns
Go in the morning when the animals are being groomed and shown. The junior exhibitors are happy to talk about their animals, and the show rings run most of the day. This is the heart of the fair and it costs nothing beyond admission.
The Midway and Grandstand
Rides run daily, and the grandstand hosts headline entertainment through the week — the lineup changes each year, so check the daily schedule on the official fairgrounds site before you pick your day.
Fair Food Worth the Line
Cream puffs, corn dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and grilled sweet corn are the staples. Local church and club stands usually offer the best value — and the shortest lines are always before noon.
Local Tips for Fair Week
- Go on a weekday. Wednesday through Friday afternoons are noticeably quieter than the Labor Day weekend crowd.
- Plan around Labor Day. The fair's final day lands on the holiday Monday — the busiest day of the run. Arrive early if that is your only window.
- Check the schedule before you go. Grandstand shows, tractor pulls, and demolition derby nights are ticketed separately in most years — confirm details on the official site.
- Bring cash for the food stands. Many local vendors keep it simple.
Where to Stay: Our Lake Geneva Vacation Rentals
Elkhorn is a short drive from every home we manage across the Walworth County lake country. Book a Lake Geneva vacation rental with VRP Partners and you can do the fair by day and be back on the water by evening — and because we are locally owned and locally managed, you book direct and skip the OTA service fee. The rate you see is the rate you pay. For a bigger group, our larger homes sleep everyone under one roof; see our Lake Geneva weekend getaway guide for how locals structure a long weekend.
Plan Your Fair Week Getaway
Fair week is the unofficial send-off of the Lake Geneva summer — catch it before the piers come out. Browse our available rentals for the first week of September and lock in your Labor Day finish.