Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co. Fair
A longtime Botetourt County tradition celebrating agriculture, livestock and community will return to Buchanan Town Park later this month as the Botetourt County Fair welcomes visitors for two days of free, family-friendly activities.
The 2026 Botetourt County Fair is scheduled for Friday, July 31, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Buchanan Town Park. Admission is free.
This year’s fair will feature live music, youth livestock shows, draft horse pulls, agricultural demonstrations, a Kids Corral, traditional fair contests open to the public, a local food walk and a variety of additional activities celebrating Botetourt County’s agricultural heritage.
The fair traces its roots back to 1879, when the first Botetourt County Fair was held on fairgrounds located off U.S. 220 near Hawthorne Hall Road in Fincastle. The event remained there for approximately 70 years before ending after the 1948 fair.
After a 63-year hiatus, the county fair was revived in 2013 at Buchanan Town Park, where it has been held each year since.
In 2023, organizers established the Botetourt County Fair Association Inc. to oversee the annual event and other fair-related activities. The association’s board of directors serves as the governing body for the fair with the support of volunteers who work throughout the year to organize the event.
Organizers say the fair continues its mission of showcasing Botetourt County’s agricultural heritage while providing educational opportunities and family entertainment for residents and visitors alike.
A complete schedule of events, contest information, entry rules and additional details are available at BotetourtCountyFair.com.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
