WHITEVILLE, NC — Grab your carnival appetite and mark your calendars: the annual Columbus County Agriculture Fair is officially gearing up to light up the night sky at the fairgrounds in Whiteville from Tuesday, October 13 through Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Packed with high-octane thrill rides, deep-fried treats, livestock shows, and classic family entertainment, this year’s fair promises a six-day extravaganza full of county traditions and exciting live spectacles.
Thrills on the Midway: From “Superman 360” to the UK’s “Zeus”
Dreamland Amusements is returning to Whiteville to outfit the midway with carnival rides catering to every level of adrenaline seeker.
Thrill-seekers can test their stomach strength on the Superman 360—which spins riders completely upside down while their feet dangle in open air—or take a spin on Zeus, a high-speed attraction imported directly from the United Kingdom. Family favorites like the Patriot Wheel, Sizzler, Rock N Roll Fun House, and classic Tilt-A-Whirl will also line the midway alongside a lineup of kiddie rides including Crazy Cabs, Jumpin Jumbos, and the Gotham Slide.
Action & Entertainment: Tiger Encounters, Magic, and Metal Crunching
Fairgoers will get plenty of entertainment included free with gate admission:
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TikTok-Famous Tiger Encounter: Social media personality Felicia Frisco and her big cats—who boast over 1.5 million followers across TikTok—will perform multiple live educational shows daily.
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Demolition Derby: The ultimate metal-crunching, engine-roaring fan favorite returns to the grandstands on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:00 p.m. (Grandstand entry is $5 in addition to gate admission).
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Captain Jim’s Magic Show: A family-favorite illusionist bringing trickery and tall tales to the stage multiple times daily.
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Live Local Music: Performers including Randy Hawse & True South (Thursday night) and The Randy Pinyan Band (Saturday afternoon) will hit the main music stage.
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Diaper Derby: On Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., local infants will crawl their way to glory on the main stage.
Fair Pageant Kickoff & Annual Parade
The fair festivities start before the midway lights officially turn on!
The 2026 Columbus County Fair Pageant will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 3:00 p.m. in the Southeastern Community College Auditorium. This year’s pageant features a special appearance by 2026 Senior America’s Queen Dreisa Sherrill serving as the official event emcee.
On Monday, Oct. 12, at 4:00 p.m., the annual Columbus County Agriculture Fair Parade will march through downtown Whiteville. The parade route will travel from the intersection of Lee, Madison, and Franklin Streets toward West Smith Street.
Tickets, Hours & Special Discount Days
Gate admission is $8.00 per person, with children ages 5 and under admitted FREE. Parking on the fairgrounds lot is also free.
Special Promotions & Gate Discounts:
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Veterans Day (Tuesday, Oct. 13): All military veterans receive FREE gate admission all day!
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Carload Sunday (Sunday, Oct. 18): From 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., families can pile into a personal vehicle for $60 per carload, which includes both fair admission AND unlimited ride wristbands for everyone inside the vehicle (no buses or commercial vans).
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Discount Wristband Savings: Single-day unlimited ride wristbands purchased at the carnival midway are $32 ($30 cash). However, fairgoers can save by purchasing advance wristbands online through Oct. 13 ($25 for one wristband or $80 for a 4-pack).
The fairgrounds are located off Highway 74/76 bypass at 886 Fairgrounds Road, Whiteville, NC. For complete daily schedules or to purchase advance ride passes, visit the official fair website.
For a quick look at one of the main featured performers, check out this feature on Felicia Frisco and her tigers. This video highlights tiger trainer Felicia Frisco, who brings her educational Tiger Encounter show to the fairgrounds this year.
The 2026 Columbus County Fair Book
The fairgrounds are located off Highway 74/76 bypass at 886 Fairgrounds Road, Whiteville, NC. For complete daily schedules or to purchase advance ride passes, visit the official fair website.
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