Attendance at the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair last month increased over last year, with more than 7,000 people attending the four-day event despite hot weather throughout much of the weekend.

According to Kristin Croy, Secretary and Treasurer of the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair Committee, total attendance reached 7,077, an increase of 245 people from the 6,832 recorded in 2025.

Croy said the Fair Council was pleased with this year’s event.

“Overall, the fair council was very pleased with the 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair.”

The fair enjoyed generally good weather, although temperatures were hot. Croy said attendance increased each day compared with 2025 except Sunday.

Thursday recorded 1,242 people, including 628 students who received free admission sponsored by the City of Summerville. Friday attendance reached 1,484, while Saturday was by far the busiest day with 3,242 people. Sunday attendance totaled 1,109.

Croy said officials were unsure whether Sunday’s lower turnout was related to the hot weather or a last-minute entertainment change. The Statler Experience stepped in after the originally scheduled performance by Guy Penrod was canceled because of illness. Croy said the Fair Council continues to keep Penrod in its prayers and wishes him a speedy and complete recovery.

This year’s fair included 961 Blue Ribbon exhibits, 179 livestock exhibitors and 212 animals shown.

Peachtree Rides provided the midway rides, games and concessions. Croy said the Fair Council was pleased with the company’s performance and has renewed its contract for another five years.

Ride sales were also higher each day compared with 2025 except Sunday. Peachtree Rides reported an overall 3.56 percent increase in ride sales from last year’s fair.

Fair attendance has varied considerably over the past several years. The newspaper reports totals of 7,488 in 2024, 7,315 in 2023 and 10,174 in 2022. Attendance was 6,523 in 2021, while the 2020 fair was canceled because of COVID. Earlier totals included 8,360 in 2019, 9,757 in 2018 and 8,454 in 2017.

The Fair Council is already looking toward 2027.

Croy said planning for next year’s fair will begin in November, including work to secure musical entertainment. She said the Fair Council contacts multiple booking agencies to compare prices, but the cost of nationally recognized performers remains a challenge.

According to Croy, well-known artists with hits from the late 1990s and early 2000s who could potentially appeal to younger audiences are now commanding $25,000 to $50,000, putting many performers outside the fair’s entertainment budget.

Despite those challenges, Croy said the council will continue working with booking agents and artists in hopes of bringing strong musical entertainment to Chattooga County.

The Fair Council also thanked the many volunteers, sponsors, vendors and Peachtree Rides for making this year’s four-day fair possible.

Several exhibitors earned top honors in this year’s competitions. Among the Best of Show winners were Sherry Koonce, Effie Powell and Pam Powell in Needleworks; Logan Roe in Agriculture; Logan Money in Horticulture; Sheila Johnson in Arts; and Kendra Stallings in Photography.

The Fair Council said it appreciates everyone who came out to support the 2026 event and is already looking forward to welcoming the community back for the 2027 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair.