Red River Valley Fair Returns September 30-October 3 at the Paris Fairgrounds

About the fair

The Red River Valley Fair is the county's homegrown fall fair, staged by the fair association at the Paris/Lamar County Fairgrounds the same complex that hosts the balloon festival each September. Expect the familiar county-fair mix: a carnival midway with rides, more than a dozen food trucks and concession stands, livestock shows, a petting zoo, arts and crafts exhibits, and a main-stage entertainment lineup that changes each night.

Recent fairs have paired the midway with evening entertainment such as country and gospel headliners, karaoke nights, and dance bands, along with daytime draws like a pumpkin patch, Master Gardener and Bee Club presentations, and a Saturday afternoon stretch with free gate admission. The 2026 entertainment schedule was still being finalized at press time, with the fair association posting updates on its official website as opening night approaches.

Venue and planning your visit

The fairgrounds sit at 570 E Center Street on Paris's east side, with open grounds, a livestock barn, and a vendor midway that the county uses for fairs and community festivals throughout the year. The fair is a short drive from anywhere in Paris, and the September 30 opening night lands midweek, which keeps the early crowds light before the weekend peak on Saturday, October 3.

For families, the petting zoo and kids areas make it easy to spend an evening, while the nightly main-stage shows carry the schedule into the later hours. Check the official fair website closer to opening day for the finalized 2026 hours, gate pricing, and the nightly entertainment lineup.