Cleveland County Agricultural Fair

For more than a century, the Cleveland County Fair has been a cherished tradition in Shelby. Since its start in 1924, and marking its centennial in 2024, the fair has brought families together to celebrate agriculture, community and good old-fashioned fun. It's not just a local pastime: it's the largest county fair in North Carolina.

During 11 days each fall, guests can take on more than 40 rides and choose from more than 50 food vendors, not including those that are traveling with the midway's Reithoffer Shows. Beyond the rides and food, the fair fills its stages with acts you won't find at a typical county fair, like high-flying stunt shows, trick roping and knife-throwing performances, racing pigs, live chainsaw carving, and touring bands, alongside the livestock shows, competition, and exhibits that have anchored the fair since day one.

It's that mix of big-fair scale with small-town heart, that makes the Cleveland County Fair worth the drive, no matter where you're coming from. More than 100,000 visitors agree, making the trip every year to Shelby for themselves.
The Cleveland County Fair remains a place where memories are made, traditions are passed down and everyone feels right at home.