Every summer since 1948, the A&I Fair honors the past, present, and future of agricultural industry in Cocke County.
For five days, 4H students, farmers, and community neighbors compete for blue ribbons and bragging rights for the best of that year. The midway rides, fair food, demolition derby, and live music round out the festivities.
The fairgrounds are also steeped in history. Once a working farm, the land was purchased and timber from the land was used to build some of the structures on the fairgrounds. Originally, the fair was focused on horses, but a local agricultural teacher and FFA advisor serving as fair president grew the fair to attract students showing livestock and community competitions for blue ribbon displays of sewing, cooking, and canning. Later a racetrack was added for car racing, a very popular sport in the south. With the addition of the midway carnival rides, the fair attracted people from western North Carolina.
Today, the fairground holds true to its roots on the 5 days of the fair, but the fairground also continues to serve the community throughout the year. Some of the biggest community events in Cocke County- Popcorn Sutton Festival and the Cocke County Bluegrass Festival.
The A&I fairground is a legacy to the enduring spirit of a close-knit community and the power of farming traditions. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to gather to recall old memories and create new ones, where the past and present seamlessly merge in a celebration of rural life in Cocke County.
Already have a login ? 
Please login to your account.
