Small Town Salute

Cole Camp Fair

2026

Three days of community pride, family fun, and entertainment since 1916.

Join a Cole Camp Annual Gathering

Multi-day tradition supported by volunteers from across the area

The Cole Camp Fair has welcomed families, farmers, and visitors from across Missouri since 1916. Generations of local residents have participated in this multi-day event that brings together carnival rides, parades, livestock shows, contests, and live entertainment. The 2026 Cole Camp Fair is September 10, 11 and 12.

You'll find bandstand performances, exhibit halls, food attractions, and activities designed for all ages. Each year, community organizations, 4-H groups, FFA members, and area businesses contribute to the fair's schedule and help create a lineup that reflects the character of small-town Missouri.

Whether you're bringing your family for the parade, entering in a contest, or spending the day exploring the fairgrounds, the Cole Camp Fair offers a gathering place rooted in community pride and shared tradition. Expect to see neighbors, local sponsors, and civic groups working together to make the event memorable.

Check the schedule and plan your visit for all three days.

Bring Your Family to the Fairgrounds

Parades, live performances, exhibits, and activities built by local volunteers.

What Happens at the Fair

Each day brings its own mix of activities, performances, and exhibits. The schedule is posted before the fair opens, and events are spread across multiple venues on the fairgrounds.

Volunteers coordinate setup, manage exhibit entries, and staff activity areas throughout the weekend. Local organizations handle registration for contests, and sponsors help fund prizes for the contests throughout the fair.

Here's what makes the event a regional draw:

•   There is free admission to the fair and its events.
•  The nightly parade with floats that are hand crafted with flowers, made of tissue paper, are a must to see.
•  Parade events that draw spectators from surrounding               communities and feature local schools, civic groups, and youth organizations
• Livestock competitions judged by experienced evaluators with categories for multiple species and age divisions
• Food vendors offering regional favorites alongside classic fair staples throughout the three-day event
• Exhibits and contests open to participants of all ages, including entries from families who have attended for decades

View the full lineup and register for exhibits or contests before the gate opens.

A Fair Built on Partnership

Cole Camp Fair operates thanks to community partnerships that span decades. Local sponsors fund entertainment, contests, and improvements for the fairgrounds. Volunteers from civic groups and area organizations manage logistics, judging, setup, and daily operations during the three-day event.

Families return each September because the fair reflects their town's identity and provides a space where neighbors reconnect and visitors experience Missouri hospitality. Every ride, performance, and exhibit is shaped by the people who live here and the organizations that support the tradition year after year.

Become a sponsor, volunteer, or plan your visit for September 10, 11 and 12.