The Cumberland County Fair will return to the Crown Complex from Sept. 1 through Sept.10, and there is more to look forward to than ever before. 

Attendees can count on the return of yearly traditions of livestock shows, rides, games, the beer garden, and a daily lineup of live music, plus fun additions this year like a fire performer, the return of helicopter rides, freestyle motocross trick riders, magic shows, live audience participation game shows and more. The Cumberland County Fair Step Show & Dance Showcase and the Cumberland County Fair Pageant will also return for 2023. 

One of the highlights of each year’s fair is the food. In addition to classic fair foods like turkey legs, corn dogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, and funnel cakes, there will be more than 20 food trucks offering everything from Louisiana Po’Boys to fried Zebra cakes. The list of food trucks includes some local favorites like Kwon’s Kitchen, Tropical Sno, and Bella Nonna Italian which will be joined by novelties like Bobasaur, Third Eye Coffee and The Peach Cobbler Factory. 

Each year there are multiple ways for people to save money when attending the fair. In addition to the usual special days where health care professionals, military members, first responders and seniors can get in free, the fair is adding the chance to save with $2 Tuesday, BOGO Night and School Kids & Personnel Day. In a change from past years, the Day of Giving will benefit the United Way and those who bring specified items to donate can receive free entry. On select days, the Cape Fear Valley Mobile Blood Donation unit will be on site and offering free admission tickets to its first 50 donors. 

There will also be a special sensory-friendly time for the first year ever. From noon until 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4 the fair will operate with limited rides, no music and no lights to allow those who need it to enjoy the fair with limited sensory stimuli. 

Here is the full 2023 Cumberland County Fair schedule and special days: 

Friday, Sept. 1: Open at 5 p.m. 

FREE ADMISSION for Healthcare Professionals

$5.00 admission for kids 3-12

All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older.

Saturday, Sept. 2: Open at 1 p.m.

$10 Admission for adults and children 3 years of age or older 

Sunday, Sept. 3: Open at 1 p.m.

Faith and Family Day

$5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office

$5.00 admission for kids 3-12

All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older.

Monday, Sept. 4: Open at Noon 

Sensory Day from 12pm-3pm/Regular Operation after 3 p.m.

Limited rides with no music and no lights from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.  with regular fair operations resuming after 

$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older

Tuesday, Sept. 5: Open at 5 p.m.

$2.00 Tuesday

Entrance Fee is $2.00

Unlimited Wristbands can still be purchased separately

Wednesday, Sept. 6: Open at 5 p.m.

BOGO NIGHT/SENIOR NIGHT

BOGO Admission 

BOGO Unlimited ride wristbands 

BOGO Hotdogs & Corn Dogs/BOGO Funnel Cakes & Fries Oreos at  B&B Concessions

SENIOR NIGHT

All Seniors 65 and older get free entry into the fair

Thursday, Sept. 7: Open at 5 p.m. 

A Day of Giving - Sponsored by the United Way/4-H & FFA Day/School Kids & Personnel Day 

Bring one of the following NEW items and receive one free admission ticket to the Cumberland County Fair - six pack of socks, pack of t-shirts, or pack of underwear. The items are to be exchanged at the Cumberland County Fair Box Office for a valid admission ticket

4-H & FFA Day - Free Admission for card holders

School Kids & Personnel Day $2.00 Admission with school ID

$5.00 Admission for adults & children 3 years of age & older

Friday, Sept. 8: Open at 5 p.m.  

$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older.

Saturday, Sept. 9: Open at 1 p.m. 

$10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older.

Sunday, Sept. 10: Open at 1 p.m. 

FREE ADMISSION for Military and First Responders with valid ID

All Others: $10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older.

Ride wristbands will be available on the Midway for $30/person. Individual ride tickets are also available. 

For more information visit www.cumberlandcountyfair.org

For daily highlights and special announcements, see the Cumberland County Fair Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CCFairNC/