Payne County Free Fair 2026 Underway in Stillwater

Payne County Free Fair Brings Carnival Rides, Exhibits and Family Events to Stillwater

The Payne County Free Fair is underway in Stillwater, bringing a full week of carnival rides, livestock events, exhibits, food and family activities to the Payne County Expo Center through Sunday, August 30.

The 2026 fair is also introducing a redesigned indoor layout intended to make exhibits easier to find and improve traffic flow inside the Expo Center. Admission and parking are free, while carnival rides, food and some attractions carry separate costs.

Payne County Free Fair Features New Exhibit Layout

This year’s Payne County Free Fair has reorganized several of its major indoor attractions at the Payne County Expo Center.

The Mary E. Silvers Exhibit Hall is now home to many local business vendors along with a redesigned Oklahoma Home and Community Education Fair Kitchen counter.

Heritage Hall is hosting Open Class exhibits along with an expanded Heartland Toy Train Show display, while the Community Building is serving as a combined space for Payne County 4-H clubs and Oklahoma State University Extension exhibits.

Organizers said the changes are designed to streamline crowds and create a better experience for fairgoers, exhibitors and vendors.

The Payne County Free Fair runs August 24 through August 30, with general fair hours from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

According to Visit Stillwater, admission to the grounds and parking are free.

Carnival Rides and Family Events Highlight Payne County Free Fair

The midway opens each evening from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., with WEEE Entertainment operating the carnival rides.

Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $33, while individual ride tickets are $4.50.

Families can also visit June’s Barnyard petting zoo from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. each day.

One of the fair’s longtime traditions, the Power of the Past Tractor Parade, rolls through the grounds nightly at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday evening includes several major events, beginning with the Pet Parade and Show at 5:30 p.m.

The Barnyard Olympics follow at 7 p.m., with participants taking part in old-fashioned farm-themed competitions.

The Draft Horse Pull begins at 8 p.m. in the Outdoor Arena.

Saturday night brings the Lawn and Garden Pull at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s schedule includes a cattle dog demonstration at 7 p.m.

Fairgoers can check current schedules and event information through the Payne County Expo Center before heading to the grounds.

Food, Parking and What to Know Before You Go

Organizers are encouraging visitors to plan ahead, particularly during the busiest evening hours.

Parking areas near the main Expo Center buildings can fill quickly, and overflow parking may require a longer walk to exhibits and attractions.

Families dropping off children, older adults or anyone with mobility concerns may want to use the northeast or southeast drop-off areas before finding parking.

Food remains another major part of the Payne County Free Fair, including the Oklahoma Home and Community Education kitchen.

The OHCE Fair Kitchen is again serving fair favorites, including its well-known homemade pies, with the revamped service counter located inside the Mary E. Silvers Exhibit Hall.

The weeklong event combines traditional county fair attractions with 4-H exhibits, agricultural displays, carnival rides, livestock events, vendors and community activities.

For families looking for something to do before the end of summer, the Payne County Free Fair offers several days of free admission and a packed schedule of events in Stillwater through Sunday night.

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