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Maury County Fair Returns With Five Nights of Rides, Rodeo, Racing and Family Fun

Issue #807

September 02, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 96, low of 73

🎡 Maury County Fair Returns With Five Nights of Rides, Rodeo, Racing and Family Fun

👉 First Fridays to Celebrate Fruit Tea and Dolly Parton With Pink-Themed Fun

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Just Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Maury County Fair Returns With Five Nights of Rides, Rodeo, Racing and Family Fun

The Maury County Fair opens Thursday, Sept. 3, kicking off five nights of rides, food, competitions, live entertainment and plenty of fairground fun. This year’s fair runs through Monday, Sept. 7, with a full lineup of entertainment and activities planned each night.

Whether you’re heading out for the midway, bringing the kids, checking out the livestock and competitions, or looking for some high-energy entertainment, there’s plenty on the schedule.

Thursday: Rodeo Kicks Things Off

Opening night brings the Maury County Fair Bulls, Broncs & Barrels presented by RodeoAir to the Big Arena.

The pre-show begins at 6 p.m. with country artist Shane Profitt before the rodeo gets underway at 7 p.m.

This year marks a new chapter for the event as the rodeo is officially sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association. Competitors will be competing for championship points, added money and a chance to qualify for the IPRA Finals.

The night will feature bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing, along with music and family-friendly entertainment.

Friday: Tractor and Truck Pull

Friday night brings the Mid South Pullers and the Hotshot's Secret Pro Pullers League Tractor and Truck Pull to the Big Arena at 6:30 p.m.

Fans can expect several classes of pulling action, including Super Farm Tractors, Limited Pro Tractors, Farm Stock Tractors, 6,200-pound Two Wheel Trucks and Modified Minis.

Two new classes have been added for 2026: 6,200-pound Two Wheel Trucks and Modified Minis.

The pit will also be open, giving fans a chance to arrive early, check out the equipment and meet some of the drivers.

Saturday gets started early with the second annual My Day 5K and 1 Mile Trot at Maury County Park at 8 a.m. If you’d like to participate, you can register here.

The race honors William "Will" Spiess and continues the work behind My Day at the Fair, an event that has supported special-needs youth and young adults in the community for more than 16 years.

Proceeds from the race benefit Kings Daughters School, Maury County Special Olympics and Best Buddies of Tennessee.

Then Saturday evening, the action moves back to the Big Arena for the Maury County Fair Motocross main event at 6:30 p.m. Registration begins at 1 p.m., with practice at 4 p.m.

The event features racers ranging from kids to adults, promising an evening of jumps, speed and plenty of noise from the track.

Sunday and Monday: Jump-N-Run Racing

The final two nights of the fair will feature the MidSouth Jump-N-Run Racing Series.

Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. both Sunday, Sept. 6, and Monday, Sept. 7. In-person registration opens at 3 p.m., followed by a mandatory driver's meeting at 6 p.m.

There’s also some serious money on the line, with $3,000 going to first place, $2,000 to second and $1,000 to third each night.

Organizers are promising big jumps, big hits and plenty of high-flying action.

And, Of Course, There’s the Midway

The fair wouldn’t be the fair without the lights, rides, games and food.

Kissel Entertainment returns this year with more than 40 rides, ranging from rides for younger children to longtime midway favorites like the Zipper.

There will also be the classic fairground games and all the food that somehow tastes even better when it’s eaten under the midway lights.

Wristband nights will give visitors the option to ride all evening for one price, with unlimited-ride pricing available through the fair's ticket information.

Free Fun for Kids

Families with younger children can also check out the Free Kids Zone, which will be available throughout the fair from Sept. 3-7.

The area includes games, crafts and activities and is included with regular fair admission, so there’s no additional charge for kids to participate.

The Kids Zone is located near the main midway entrance. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and activities can vary depending on the day and weather.

Five Nights of Maury County Tradition

With the rodeo, tractor and truck pull, motocross, Jump-N-Run racing, 40-plus rides, free kids activities and plenty of food and entertainment, the Maury County Fair has a full schedule waiting when the gates open Thursday.

The fair runs Sept. 3-7 at Maury County Park.

First Fridays to Celebrate Fruit Tea and Dolly Parton With Pink-Themed Fun

From Columbia Main Street’s post…

It's time to SPILL THE TEA at September First Fridays!

We're ready to celebrate Columbia as the Fruit Tea Capital ahead of next weekend's Fruit TEAser event! Join us downtown for an evening filled with a little extra fruit tea fun as we kick off the countdown to September 12. 

Our "Message to Dolly" recycling can will invite the community to leave heartfelt notes, memories, and words of gratitude in honor of Dolly. Those messages will then be painted over in hot pink and finished with butterflies and glitter. A reminder that underneath all the glitz and glam was the sentimental heart that made Dolly so special. 

Stop by the Game Zone, sponsored by Kernie's Kettle Corn, to decorate a fruit tea cup for display at next week's Fruit TEAser event and create your own pet rock to take home! 

Then make your way to South Main Street for LIVE music from Call the Dogs, brought to you by Renewal by Anderson! 

Make sure to wear your best PINK attire as we come together to celebrate and remember Dolly Parton in true Dolly fashion!

Grab a lawn chair, bring your friends, and spend your Friday night with us in Downtown Columbia.

Friday, Sept. 4, 5:00–8:00 PM
Downtown Columbia

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, September 3rd

Friday, September 4th

Saturday, September 5th

Sunday, September 6th

Monday, September 7th - LABOR DAY

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, September 3
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM
Tommy Wheatley - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM

Friday, September 4
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Sam & Maria - Buck & Board, 6-9 PM
First Fridays with Troy Kemp - Puckett's, 6:30-8 PM
Scott Burt Big Band - Riverwalk Pavilion, 7-8:30 PM
Yonder Grove - Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Pride of the North Bank - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Live on the Square - Wentzel Brothers Band - Puckett's, 8:30-9:30 PM

Saturday, September 5
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Sean Carson - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
Box of Rox - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Labor Day Barn Bash - The Barn at the Phelps Farm, 5 PM
422 West - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Yonder Grove - Twisted Copper, 7-10 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Jake Leg Stompers - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Sunday, September 6
TBA - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Covered Wagon Band - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 7 PM

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