SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) For more than 90 years, the Cheshire Fair has brought together agriculture, entertainment and community for one of the Monadnock Region’s signature summer traditions.

The 2026 Cheshire Fair will run Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Cheshire Fairgrounds on Route 12 in Swanzey, offering four days packed with livestock competitions, horse shows, carnival rides, live music, motorsports, educational exhibits and family activities.

What began as a one-day field event in 1935 featuring horse and ox pulls has grown into one of southwestern New Hampshire’s largest agricultural fairs. Officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1940, the fair continues its mission of celebrating farming, youth development and rural heritage while welcoming thousands of visitors each summer.

Agriculture Takes Center Stage

Agriculture remains at the heart of the fair.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can watch 4-H members compete in dairy goat, beef, sheep, poultry, dairy and small animal shows, along with robotics demonstrations and model animal competitions. Open livestock competitions and horse shows will also be held daily, showcasing the region’s agricultural traditions and the work of local farmers and exhibitors.

The fair also offers competitions for honey, maple products, forage, canning, baking and other agricultural skills, including the annual King Arthur Baking Contest. Entry forms for exhibitors are available on the fair’s website.

Midway and Family Activities

The midway returns with rides from Fanelli Amusements opening daily, while younger fairgoers can enjoy foam parties, STEM activities, reptile exhibits, wood carving demonstrations, stick horse racing, the Cota & Cota Kids Pedal Tractor Pull and appearances by performers including Doug the Devil Stick Man and Pirate Man Dan.

Several contests invite audience participation, including cupcake eating, pie eating, milkshake making, skillet tossing, Cow Plop Bingo and the popular Pig Scramble, with advance registration available through the fair’s website.

Live Music Throughout the Fairgrounds

Live entertainment will be featured throughout the fair on both the Community Stage and Tavern Stage.

Fairgoers can also enjoy a diverse lineup of live music throughout the weekend. Thursday features Joe Jennings, a solo acoustic performer, along with Lake Effect Band, whose upbeat blend of classic rock, funk and groove music is designed to keep audiences dancing, followed by Vermont-based Rust & Ruin, a high-energy band known for its ’70s-inspired rock, country and rich vocal harmonies. Friday’s lineup includes Baba Ray, whose performances span classic rock, blues and Americana, and The Detours, a popular New England cover band performing danceable rock favorites, while singer-songwriter Matt Meserve headlines the Community Stage. Saturday brings WailOn, an outlaw country tribute band celebrating artists such as Waylon Jennings, Amanda Meli performing as Dolly Parton, country artist Carson Janik, and regional rock band Nine North. Sunday’s entertainment includes Gavin Key and the Get Down, blending rock, blues, funk and soul, award-winning blues and R&B group 50 Shades of Blue, and the Lenny Solomon Band, which performs an energetic mix of classic rock and blues favorites.

Grandstand Favorites Return

Grandstand events include Team East BMX on Thursday evening, a tractor pull on Friday, a 4×4 truck pull on Saturday and the annual Demolition Derby on Sunday, one of the fair’s biggest attractions. All grandstand events are included with general admission except the demolition derby, which requires a separate $10 admission for spectators ages 5 and older.

Traditional agricultural competitions continue in the arena throughout the weekend with oxen shows, draft horse obstacle competitions, multiple draft horse pulls and the all-day ox pull on Sunday.

Saturday’s schedule also includes a special 250th Celebration Cavalcade recognizing New Hampshire’s semiquincentennial.

Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for youth ages 5 to 11 and seniors 62 and older, while children 4 and younger are admitted free. Military members receive free admission with identification. Children 11 and younger receive free admission on Thursday, and seniors 62 and older are admitted free on Sunday.

Camping is available on the fairgrounds, and maps, schedules, exhibitor information, horse show details and downloadable competition entry forms are available at www.cheshirefair.org. All ticket sales are final.