Another longtime Northwest Georgia fall tradition gets underway this week as the Northwest Georgia Regional Fair opens Friday in Gordon County.

The fair, which many area residents have traditionally known as the Gordon County Fair, will run Friday, September 11 through Saturday, September 19 at the Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds on Highway 53/Rome Road in Calhoun.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Fair brings together the traditional attractions of a county fair, including carnival rides, fair food, games, livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, youth activities and live entertainment.

The carnival midway will be provided by Peachtree Rides, an Atlanta-based carnival company that operates throughout North Georgia.

Agriculture remains an important part of the annual fair. The 2026 event will include livestock competition, along with activities involving area youth and agricultural organizations. Traditionally, the Northwest Georgia Regional Fair has featured 4-H and FFA livestock competitions, youth exhibits and educational displays in addition to the midway and entertainment.

Fair organizers say there will also be shows, concerts and demonstrations during the nine-day run. The complete 2026 entertainment schedule was still being finalized as of this week, according to the fair’s official website.

The fair is also bringing back its fair pageants, another longstanding part of the annual event.

For many Chattooga County residents, the Calhoun fair is one of the closest opportunities to enjoy another fair after the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair wrapped up in late August.

The fair will also spill over into downtown Calhoun this weekend. The Northwest Georgia Regional Fair Parade is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, following the traditional downtown Calhoun parade route.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Fair is one of several fairs taking place across the region during September. The Polk County Fair in Cedartown opens today and continues through Saturday, while the Calhoun fair begins Friday and continues through September 19.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Fair is located at the Cherokee Capital Fairgrounds on Highway 53/Rome Road in Calhoun.