Clark County Fair 2026: Dates, Deals & Food Guide
Clark County Fair 2026 Guide: Dates, Deals, Must-Eat Food & Ride Tips
Everything you need to know before you go - hours, admission, the closest thing to a free day, parking, must-eat fair food, and how to actually save money on rides.
The Clark County Fair is one of the biggest events of the year in Southwest Washington, and it happens right in Ridgefield - close enough for a weeknight visit, big enough to plan an entire day around. I covered the broader summer festival lineup last year, and rounded up everything else happening in the area every August - but the fair deserves its own guide. The dates, prices, and deal days shift every year, and the details that actually matter (when the carnival opens, which day is genuinely worth going on, what's actually good to eat) rarely make it into the official site's navigation.
Here's everything you need heading into 2026, pulled directly from the fair's own site and organized the way I'd actually plan a visit.
2026 Clark County Fair: Quick Facts
When Is the Clark County Fair in 2026, and What Are the Hours?
The 2026 fair runs for 10 days, Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 16. Gate hours are longer on weekends: 10am–11pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am–10pm Sunday through Thursday. One detail that trips people up - the carnival midway doesn't open until noon, even though the gates open at 10am, so an early-morning visit means exhibits and animal barns, not rides.
A couple of scheduling notes worth knowing ahead of time: animal barns close early on two specific days - 4pm on Tuesday, August 11, and 6pm on Sunday, August 16 (the final day). If seeing the livestock is part of your plan, build your visit around those cutoffs.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Into the Clark County Fair?
Buying ahead is meaningfully cheaper than paying at the gate. There are two advance options - online (through August 6) and in-person at a ticket outlet (Wilco Farm Stores and People's Community Federal Credit Union locations, July 5–August 6):
| Admission Type | Advance Online (incl. fees) | Ticket Outlet (in-person) | At the Gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $11.50 | $10 | $13 |
| Senior (62+) | $9.50 | $8 | $11 |
| Youth (7–12) | $8.50 | $7 | $10 |
| Carnival Wristband | $36.50 | $35 | - |
Kids 6 and under get in free at any time, no ticket needed. Buying ahead - online or at an outlet - saves $1.50–$3 per person over paying at the gate, which adds up fast for a family. Wristbands purchased in advance are good for any one day of the fair, so you decide which day to use it once you're there. Two bundle options are also worth knowing about:
- Summer Sizzle Package - $88: two adult admissions, two youth admissions, and two carnival wristbands
- Fabulous Four Pack - $32: two adult admissions and two youth admissions
Ticket outlet locations include Wilco Farm Stores in Battle Ground, Kelso, Oregon City, and Vancouver, and People's Community Federal Credit Union branches in Battle Ground, Fisher's Landing, Hazel Dell, Ridgefield, and the Vancouver Waterfront.
Is There a Free Day at the Clark County Fair?
Not a full free day, but there's one narrow window that comes close: Free Admission Friday, on opening day, August 7 from 10am to 1pm, with a Fred Meyer voucher. Vouchers are available starting July 5 at seven Fred Meyer locations - Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Battle Ground, Mill Plain, Fishers Landing, Grand Central, and Orchards - while supplies last.
What Are the Best Discount Days at the Fair?
Beyond opening morning, four days offer steep admission discounts for specific groups:
| Day | Deal | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Aug. 10 | Family Day | Kids 7–12: $7 |
| Tuesday, Aug. 11 | Military Day | $8 admission with military ID |
| Wednesday, Aug. 12 | Prime of Your Life Day | Seniors 62+: $8 |
| Thursday, Aug. 13 | Kids' Day | Kids 7–12: $7 |
How Do You Get to the Fair, and Where Do You Park?
The fairgrounds sit at 17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. From either I-5 or I-205, take the 179th Street Exit (Exit 9) and head west, following the posted signs to parking.
Parking is $8 per vehicle, cash, card, or tap-to-pay accepted. It's not sold in advance due to limited availability - you'll pay on-site when you arrive, so budget a few extra minutes during peak hours (weekend evenings and concert nights especially).
Is There RV Camping at the Fair?
Yes, but only in the designated RV campground - overnight parking elsewhere on the grounds isn't permitted. Rates are $38 per night with electrical and water hookups, or $28 per night for a self-contained, space-only site. Reserve through the online reservation form ahead of time.
Can You Take the Bus to the Fair?
Yes - C-TRAN runs a free shuttle from eight pickup locations, starting at noon daily (earlier on opening day, August 7). Beyond skipping the parking fee entirely, it's worth it just for the admission discount coupon mentioned above.
What Should You Eat at the Clark County Fair?
Dozens of vendors spread across the food court, the midway, the grandstand area, and the East Plaza - enough that it's easy to wander past the best stuff. Here's where I'd point people first.
The One That Matches the Theme
With 2026's "Blast Off to Fun" space theme, the Cosmic Corndogs from the Ridgefield Lions Club feel like the unofficial mascot food of this year's fair - plus they're a fundraiser for a local service organization, not a traveling vendor.
Classic Fair Favorites
- Foot-long corndogs and cheesy fries - The Smokehouse
- Elephant ears, onion rings, and snow cones - Chuck Wagon
- Kettle corn and huckleberry lemonade - Old Fashioned Kettle Corn
- Funnel cakes and monster corndogs - Sweet Cheeks
Sweet & Over-the-Top
- Deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos - Sweet Cheeks
- Birthday Cake Nachos and Cookies & Cream Nachos - Nachos for Dessert (yes, dessert nachos are a real category here)
- Cookie dough scoops - Cookie Dough House
- Dole Whip - Noodle Palace
Local & Uniquely Vancouver-Area
- Baked potato with the works and Irish sundaes - Job's Daughters, a long-running community-organization booth
- Pie by the slice - Community of Christ Church
- Fresh fruit milkshakes - Clark County Dairy Women
Savory & International
- Gyros and garlic fries - Greek Cusina
- Raclette sandwiches (melted cheese over potatoes) - Grilled Raclette Sandwich
- Poke bowls and Hawaiian chicken bowls - The Islander
- Elote (Mexican street corn) - Las Mesitas
- Fish and chips - Winston's
- Turkey legs - Chicken House and Hog Daddy's, both worth comparing
How Do You Save Time and Money on Carnival Rides?
There are two ways to pay for rides - an Unlimited Ride Wristband ($35–$36.50 depending on where you buy it, good for one day) or individual ride tickets. If you're going the ticket route, the onsite minimum purchase is 17 tickets for $20, with additional tickets at $1 each. Most rides take 4–7 tickets, so for a family riding more than a handful of rides, the wristband is usually the better deal.
Is a Fast Pass Available?
Carnival Fast Passes are sold on-site only - they're not available for advance purchase due to limited availability. If skipping lines matters to your day, plan to grab one early after you arrive rather than counting on it being available later.
What Are the Height Requirements for Rides?
Requirements vary widely by ride - worth checking before you promise a kid a specific ride. A few reference points:
| Ride | Height Requirement |
|---|---|
| Giant Wheel | 42" with an adult, 52" to ride alone |
| Zillerator Coaster | 42" with an adult, 48" to ride alone |
| Zipper | 54" minimum |
| Bumper Cars | 48" minimum |
| Merry-Go-Round | 32" with an adult, 42" to ride alone |
| Tea Cups | 36" minimum |
| Galaxy Swing / Jeeps | 36"–54", no adult riders |
Ride lists and height requirements are subject to change year to year, so check the full official carnival ride list for anything not listed above. A few standard restrictions apply across all rides: guests wearing a cast, pregnant individuals, intoxicated individuals, and infants are not permitted to ride, and the ride operator always has the final call on whether it's safe for someone to ride.
What Concerts Are Playing at the 2026 Fair?
The Your Party Center Concert Series opens with three straight nights in the Toyota Grandstand:
I Love the '90s features Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, and Young MC. You don't need a reserved seat to watch any of these shows — Grandstand seating is free and first-come, first-served. If you'd rather guarantee a spot close to the stage, reserved seats run $38–$48 and include your Fair gate admission for that day. Additional shows are typically added later in the run, so check the official concert schedule closer to your visit.
What Motorsports Events Are at the Fair?
The Grandstand shifts to horsepower later in the run:
Monster Truck drivers meet fans starting at noon on Thursday, Aug. 13 and Friday, Aug. 14, ahead of the weekend shows. The 2026 lineup includes Elbows Up, Identity Theft, Mixed Up, Spitfire, and Rock Star. Want to do more than watch? Monster Truck rides are $10 per person, offered before and after the shows. None of these events require a separate ticket — they're included with Fair admission, and Grandstand seating is first-come, first-served.
Is There a Rodeo at the Clark County Fair, and When?
Yes — the Hell on Hooves Tour brings two full nights of rodeo action to the Grandstand:
Monday's Extreme Bull Riding and Tuesday's Rough Stock Rodeo (broncs, bulls, and barrel racing) are both included with regular Fair admission — no extra ticket required — with free, first-come, first-served Grandstand seating. Kids can get in on the action too: Mutton Bustin' registration opens at noon on the Grandstand's east side both days, open to kids over age 4 and under 50 lbs (a parent must be present to register). The 2PM contest is capped at the first 40 participants, and the top 15 advance to the 7PM finals during that evening's main event. Riders should wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
What Other Attractions and Shows Should You Look For?
This year's "Blast Off to Fun" theme shows up well beyond the food court. The Mars Encounters exhibit is the featured space-themed show — a large, immersive experience imagining what a working human colony on Mars might look like, complete with Destiny, a full-scale Mars rover replica.
Around the midway, look for the Pirate's Parrot Show, Barnyard Racers, DogTown dock diving, and Break-A-Boyz dance performances, plus Curly the Camel and a live honeybee hive exhibit hosted by this year's American Honey Queen. Most of these run multiple times daily on the midway — check the shows schedule for exact times once you're there.
What Live Contests Can You Watch (or Enter)?
The Community Stage runs a full slate of eating contests throughout the fair — pie-eating, donut munching, watermelon slurping, cheeseburger stuffing, and hot dog hounding among them. They're genuinely fun to watch even if you're not competing, and they tend to draw a crowd, so plan to arrive a few minutes early for a good spot.
Planning a full family weekend around the fair? I've also put together a guide to family activities around Vancouver worth pairing with a fair day, in case anyone in the group needs a break from the heat, the noise, or the crowds.
More Local Guides to Southwest Washington
The fair sits right in Ridgefield, one of the fastest-growing communities in Clark County - worth a look if a day at the fairgrounds has you curious about the area itself:
Clark County Fair 2026 - Common Questions Answered
When is the Clark County Fair in 2026?
Is there a free day at the Clark County Fair?
How much is parking at the Clark County Fair?
How much do carnival ride wristbands cost?
What time does the carnival open at the Clark County Fair?
Can I buy a Carnival Fast Pass in advance?
Do you need a separate ticket for the rodeo or monster trucks?
Is it cheaper to buy Clark County Fair tickets in advance or at the gate?
Where is the Clark County Fair located?
Thinking About Life in the Ridgefield Area?
The Clark County Fair is just one reason families end up falling for Ridgefield and the surrounding Clark County communities. If a day at the fairgrounds has you curious about what it's actually like to live nearby, I'd love to talk it through.
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Cassandra Marks
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA | License ID: 201225764
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA License ID: 201225764