One of the oldest in New England, The Durham Fair is a significant agricultural event taking place during the last weekend of September in Durham, Connecticut. The four-day fair features livestock exhibits, agricultural and pulling contests, merchandise tents, a carnival midway, and lots of live entertainment. The musical lineup of the festival is focused on country and rock. Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Pat Benatar, George Jones, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar, REO Speedwagon, The Guess Who, Foreigner, and Blues Traveler performed on its Main Stage.

Durham Fair Entertainment

One of the highlights of the fair is pulling contests with oxen, draft horses, and tractors pulling concrete blocks. Money prizes for the owners of oxen and horses make the competition more exciting. The carnival midway includes traditional carousels, Ferris Wheel, the Zipper, and a few rollercoasters. Discovery Center, located in the south end of the T Barn, offers an educational area with seminars on food and farming, equipped with interactive displays and demonstrations. The Durham Fair Farm Museum features a collection of antique farm equipment and interesting collectibles like hand-cranked tractors, blacksmiths tools, and pot-bellied stoves.

Fair Hours

On Thursday, Durham Fair runs from 4 pm to 10 pm; on Friday and Saturday, from 9 am to 10 pm; and on Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm.

2024 Schedule Highlights

Thursday

On Fair Thursday, the event will start with the CRHS High School Music Department at Center Stage, an Antique Farm Equipment Demo at South End Farm Museum, and Night Soil: Funk, Rock, and Originals on Green Stage at 5 pm. Guests can enjoy Derek and the Funbags: High Octane Classic Hits Cover Band at International Food & Stage at 6 pm. There will be CONNetic Energy: ’50s through ’70s music on Green Stage and Sister Funk: Pop, Rock, and Country on Center Stage at 7 pm. The Demolition Derby will begin at the Motorized Events Area at 7:30 pm and last until 10 pm. The full-packed day will end with fireworks above the fairgrounds, launched at 9 pm.

Friday

On Friday, start your festival day with the Beef Cattle Showmanship at Cow Palace at 9 am and visit the Magic Show at Kids Place at 10 am. Sewing demonstrations by the American Sewing Guild and children’s craft activities will be held at the Needlework Building from 10 am to 3 pm and from 10 am to 2 pm, respectively. The Paperhouse Productions: Musical Theater will take place on Center Stage, and Bill Benson will be on Green Stage at 10:30 am.

Several events will also begin at 11 am: Ox Pulls (all classes) at Pull Ring, Cow Plop BINGO south of the Cow Palace Building, Music with Susan Peak at Kids Place, Antique Farm Equipment Demo at South End Farm Museum, and Quilt of Valor Demonstration at Needlework Building (until 3 pm). The Jackson Hill: Country Favorites will take place on International Food & Stage at 11:30 am, and Saved by Friday: Rock & Roll on Green Stage and CRHS High School Music Dept on Center Stage at 11:45 am. Jason Ingriselli and the Miles North: Country will be on the Main Stage at 6 pm, and Figure 8 & Demolition Derby will take place at the Motorized Events Area from 7:30 pm to 10 pm.

Saturday

Events worth noting include: Dairy Cattle Open & Junior Show at Cow Palace at 8:30 am, Antique Tractor Pull at Motorized Events Area from 9 am to 3 pm, Star Dancers: Dance Demo on Center Stage at 10:30 am, Antique Farm Equipment Demo at South End Farm Museum at 11 am, Karma performance on Green Stage at 1:45 pm, Balloon Safari Show at Kids Place at 3 pm, and Downtown 6 on Center Stage at 8 pm.

Sunday

On Sunday, the last day of the festival, among other events, visit the Ecumenical Church Service on the Green Stage at 8 am, the Halter Class Horse Pull at the Pull Ring and the Swine Show at The Barnyard at 9 am, Cow Plop BINGO south of the Cow Palace Building at 10:30 am, the Bunny Hop Contest at The Barnyard at 11 am, The Engine Room on the Green Stage at 11:30 am, the Monster Truck Show Meet and Greet at the Motorized Events Area at 12 pm, Mulan Fitness and Art School at the International Food & Stage at 1 pm, the Animal Costume Parade at the Cow Palace at 2 pm, and the Antique Farm Equipment Demo at the South End Farm Museum at 5 pm."

Tickets and Parking

The general admission to the Durham Fair costs $15, with free entrance for children 11 and under. Additionally, there is a Thursday Special admission available for $10, and a Multi-Day Pass priced at $40. Durham Fair parking lots cost $5 per day/single entry.