LEBANON, TN (WGNS) – The Tennessee State Fair is gearing up for its fifth year in Lebanon, and 2026 is shaping up to be its most ambitious celebration yet. With the theme “Tennessee Voices and Volunteers Celebrating America 250!”, the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair is rolling out ten full days of entertainment, agriculture, and statewide pride opening this coming Thursday evening at 6:00PM (August 13–22, 2026) at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in neighboring Lebanon.
Rutherford County will once again be part of the action—just as it has been since the fair moved from Nashville in 2021. That move wasn’t about nostalgia; it was about space, infrastructure, and long‑term growth. Nashville’s Fairgrounds had become too tight for the carnival, livestock barns, and parking. Meanwhile, Wilson County’s fair already drew more than 500,000 visitors and had the volunteer base to support a true statewide event. When the Tennessee General Assembly approved the merger, the fair found a home with room to grow.
State Fair Bigger Than Ever…