Over 100,000 may attend the 40th Clay County Agricultural Fair between now and April 12. | Clay County Agricultural Fair
Published on March 31, 2026 at 3:59 pm
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The 40th Clay County Agricultural Fair will bring the Cross Creek Cloggers and Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters to the stage between Thursday and April 12.
Country music stars Brett Young and George Birge also will perform during the fair’s 11-day run.
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And don’t forget the usual mix of pig racing, stilt walking, dirt track racing and lawn mower races to delight fairgoers.
But none of that matters unless people can make their way through the annual fair traffic on two-lane Florida 16.
An estimated 100,000 people will come to the event just west of Green Cove Springs, and that has meant traffic jams in recent years. Sheriff Michelle Cook said her department will work to make sure traffic flows well.
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“Last year, the longest traffic wait we had was 30 minutes, so we are expecting smooth traffic this year,” Cook said during a news conference Tuesday. “The one caveat we need to throw in here are that we have some new roads that are open, and it will be interesting to see how those play into the overall traffic. At the end of the day, we have a two-lane road leading in and out of this property.”
One change from previous years is that two ramps opened to traffic on Wednesday on the First Coast Expressway at Florida 16. That means drivers will now be able to get on and off the expressway just west of the fairgrounds, which could help alleviate some traffic congestion, the Florida Department of Transportation said. That interchange is part of the a construction project from north of Florida 16 to east of County Road 209.
Public safety officials began planning for the fair months ahead of opening day, detailing site setup, security and traffic control, Cook said. Multiple deputies and Sheriff’s Office explorers will handle a specific parking layout at the fair, as other teams monitor traffic during peak times, especially when big concerts are scheduled.
“Be prepared — leave early if you have a concert or specific time you want to get here,” Cook said. “Pack your patience and listen to the deputies who are on the roads working.”
Anyone else who does not need to use Florida 16 between Starke, Green Cove Springs and St. Johns County during the fair’s run should use alternate routes, officials said. And parking will not be allowed on Florida 16, so any vehicles that do will be towed.
Fair safety
With warm temperatures and sunny skies predicted, take precautions, said Kayla Futch, from Clay County’s Emergency Management Division.
“Check the weather before you come in the fair. It’s Florida in spring, and things change quickly,” she said. “Make sure to take a picture of your child just in case you lose them while in the fair with the crowds. It can help our staff more easily find them. Please make sure you bring sunscreen, hats and proper shoes.”
As to the potential of teen takeovers — a large, loosely organized gathering of juveniles usually promoted on social media — Cook said they are ready.
Police made 13 arrests and recovered nine guns at last Friday’s “Senior Skip Day” event in Jacksonville Beach. And on March 25, three teenage girls were arrested after the Sheriff’s Office shut down a teen takeover at Arlington’s Blue Cypress Parks, News4Jax reported.
Cook had a message for parents dropping their children off at the fair: Talk to them before they get out of the car.
“Have a conversation with your teen about what you expect from them,” Cook said. “Just know that any sort of shenanigans – 100,000 people come to enjoy this family-friendly fair, and we are going to keep it family friendly.”
Fair highlights
More than 40 rides are scheduled this year, including the Rock ‘n Roll Himalaya, Crazy Mouse Coaster and Typhoon. Cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits and other animals are displayed in the livestock barns,
Once fairgoers get to the fairgrounds, they can expect the usual food-filled Midway and a musical lineup in the Cattleman’s Arena.
- Curt Towne, Big Engine and Duval County Line will headline the opening night concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. Birge will be the headliner at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Young will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday. The full entertainment schedule on the fair’s three stages is here.
- Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. Friday. A demolition derby is set for 6 p.m. April 9, and the Mullet Matchup will be at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Fairgoers should get the county’s SaferWatch App on cellphones for traffic, parking, weather and safety updates, Cook said. They also can monitor the Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook and X (Twitter) social media sites, which Cook said will be updated “constantly” during fair hours.
The admission charge at the gate varies depending on the day, but it is free for those under 5. Ticket pricing is here.
For the full fair and concert schedule, plus ticket information and discounts, go to claycountyfair.org.
