LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — The countdown is nearing completion for the best 10 days of the year. The 2025 Wilson County — Tennessee State Fair kicks off Thursday, Aug. 14, at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, hosting hundreds of events, rides, shows, and more in Middle Tennessee.

According to fair officials, this year's fair will see more than 150 events, 60+ rides, over 150 livestock shows, multiple motorsports every night, 16 stages of entertainment, thousands of exhibit entries from across the state and more.

Gates open at 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays, and noon on Sunday, according to fair officials. The fair runs from Aug. 14 to 23.

Here's everything you need to know about getting to the fair and how to have a great time.

Parking and Safety

Fair officials said all fairgoers will be required to walk through metal detectors and have any bags inspected at the gate. A clear bag policy is in place for the fair, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.

Approved bags include:

• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" - a logo no larger than 4.5"x3.4" may be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar)
• Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5"x6.5" - approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap
• Medically necessary items (after proper inspection and tagging)
• Diaper bags accompanied with a baby (after proper inspection and tagging)

Parking

General parking is free, though $10 preferred parking is also available. Handicap parking is also available at the Wilson County Exposition Center lot.

A free satellite shuttle service is offered every day of the fair from two off-site locations:

• Cumberland University Football Parking Lot (415 Harding Dr.)
• First Baptist Church (209 E. Main St.)

The shuttle will run from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

All fairgoers are reminded to lock their vehicles, secure or remove any valuables, and note their parking location to avoid later confusion.

Directional signage and entrance gate numbers will help drivers navigate parking patterns and entry points smoothly, according to fair officials.

Tickets

Ride armbands can be purchased any day except Saturday, according to fair officials. Only individual ride tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday. But armbands purchased in advance via a Mega Ticket will be honored on Saturday. Mega Tickets are available until midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Entertainment

New in 2025, fairgoers will be able to experience the Tennessee Lift Sky Ride, Ag Venture Experience, Pig Tail Hair Competition, The Great Bacon Toss, Pig Callin' Competition, and a Fair Food Competition that will see concessionaires go head-to-head to win over judges and the top prize of Best Fair Food.

Returning for its third year will be The Pick Tennessee Products Experience, which fair officials say is a "must visit destination" to explore Tennessee-made products, enjoy free samples daily, demonstrations and more.

The stages will see dozens of artists, bands, and entertainers perform, including karaoke nights, talent shows, a special football kickoff for Wilson County, and more.

Fiddlers Grove will see plenty of demonstrations and exhibits, including basket weaving, blacksmithing, a model train museum, quilting demonstrations, taxidermy, woodworking and more. The area is "dedicated to preserving the past so the stories are not forgotten," according to fair officials.

For a full list of all the entertainment, ticket information and more, visit the fair website.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/2025-wilson-county-tennessee-state-fair-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-go/