Williamson County Fair: the Can’t Miss Event of the Summer
Mark your calendars for August 2-9 in Marion, Illinois!! Our beloved Williamson County fair brings together carnivals, livestock contests, pageants, and high-octane grandstand action- plus live music night after night. Every year just gets better! Get ready to ride, cheer, laugh, and make memories at this 8-day celebration packed with fun for everyone under the fairground lights!
👑 Pageants & Crowning Moments
Children’s Pageant – August 3 at 2 pm
Tiny tots up to teens shine in cute outfits, poise, and personality. Age divisions from infants to teens, so much heartwarming fun on stage. Entry info here.
Queen Scholarship Pageant – August 2 at 6 pm
Talented young women compete in evening gowns, interviews, swimwear/sportswear, and on‑stage questions for the crown and scholarships! Ages Little Miss (5–7), Junior Miss (10–12), and Miss Williamson County (16–21) all participate. More details: williamsoncountyillinoisfair.com
🏎️ Grandstand Highlights: Action-Packed Nights
Demolition Derby – August 9 at 7 pm
Wrapping up the week with metal‑crunching mayhem! Drivers bump and crash to be the last survivor. High-energy family fun.
Figure‑8 Auto Cross – August 5 at 7 pm
Expect fast cars speeding through a figure‑eight track with non-stop excitement and daring crossover action. Tickets: williamsoncountyillinoisfair.com
618 Mini Tractor Pullers – August 6 at 7 pm
Small tractors, big horsepower! Garden, outlaw, SXS, and V8 classes pull straight into crowd-pleasing entertainment. Sponsored by SI Towing.
Pig Penning Competition – August 7 at 6 pm
Teams race to herd quick little pigs into pens—strategy, speed, and hilarity ensue!
Rodeo Under the Lights – August 8 at 7 pm
Cowboys and cowgirls tackle bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and more. A thrilling mix of tradition and adrenaline.
Car Show – August 9 from 8 am-2 pm
Classic cars, modern rides, motorcycles—you name it. Register at 8 am, judging at noon, and awards at 1:30 pm.
🎠 Carnival & Free Entertainment
Carnival nightly August 5–9
Rides and games open 6 pm–11 pm (Thursday–Saturday) | Armbands $25 or $3 per ticket- rides for all ages
Free Midway Music & Shows August 7–9 at 6 pm
Three nights of live entertainment, including:
Cody Galloway (August 7), Kickin’ Country (August 8)
Johnathan Len & The Kentucky Sound (August 9)
Plus expect mechanical bull riding and pony rides sprinkled throughout the fairway! https://www.kfvs12.com
🎉 Why This Fair Rocks
It’s the oldest continuously running fair in Illinois, with roots going back to 1856, and still growing stronger. https://www.kfvs12.com+4williamsoncountyillinoisfair.com+4visitsi.com+4
A full week of something new every day. From pageantry to pig penning to demolition madness.
A blend of tradition and thrills: community-rooted pageants, livestock events, plus big‑time motor sports.
Family-friendly fun: carnival rides, music, classic cars, kids’ contests, and food vendors galore.
Live music and free shows keep the evening vibe lively and energetic.
✅ 2025 Williamson County Fair Quick Daily Planner
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 2 | 6pm | 👑 Queen Scholarship Pageant |
| Sunday, August 3 | 2pm | 👧 Children’s Pageant |
| Mondday, August 4 | — | 🚫 No Events Scheduled |
| Tuesday, August 5 | 7pm | 🏁 Figure 8 Auto Cross |
| 6pm-11pm | 🎡 Carnival Rides Begin | |
| Wednesday, August 6 | 7pm | 🚜 618 Mini Tractor Pullers |
| 6pm-9pm | 🎶 Heath Holloman (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 8:30pm-10:30pm | 🎶 Matt Poss Band (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 6pm-11pm | 🎡 Carnival Rides Continue | |
| Thursday, August 7 | 6pm | 🐷 Pig Penning Competition |
| 6pm-8pm | 🎶 Cody Galloway (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 6pm-11pm | 🎡 Carnival Rides Continue | |
| Friday, August 8 | 7pm | 🤠 Whippoorwill Rodeo |
| 6pm-8pm | 🎶 Kickin’ Country Band (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 8:30pm-10:30pm | 🎶 Matt Poss Band (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 6pm-11pm | 🎡 Carnival Rides Continue | |
| Saturday, August 9 | 8am-2pm | 🚘 Car Show |
| 7pm | 💥 Demolition Derby | |
| 6pm-8pm | 🎶 Johnathan Len & The Kentucky Sound (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 8:30pm-10:30pm | 🎶 Fire & Ice (Free Midway Entertainment) | |
| 6pm-11pm | 🎡 Last Night of Carnival Rides |
🎉 All Week (August 5–9)
🍻 Beer Tent by Creal Springs VFW
🐎 Pony Rides
🐂 Mechanical Bull Riding
🎟️ Carnival Pricing: $25 armband or $3 per ticket (sold at the carnival booth)
You Don’t Wanna Miss This
Whether you’re a car lover, music fan, thrill-seeker, or just looking for sweet community vibes, Williamson County Fair has eight amazing days packed with something for everyone. Get ready to ride, cheer, laugh, and make memories.
With something fun happening every day and memories waiting to be made, don’t miss your chance to be part of this long-standing Southern Illinois tradition. Grab your friends, pack up the family, and we’ll see you at the fairgrounds!
