The Putnam County Fair Board announced the 100th annual Putnam County Fair will be held at the old Putnam County Fairgrounds in Cookeville from July 30 through August 8.
Putnam County Fair Board President Brenda Gentry said the board voted this week to return to the historic location to provide the community a final opportunity to experience the event at its traditional site. Gentry said the decision allows the board additional time to design the new fairgrounds while ensuring the centennial celebration fully represents the local agricultural industry.
“The fair board voted this week to keep the 100th Putnam County Fair at the old fairgrounds for the 100th year to give the community one last opportunity to experience our fair in the same way they have known it for all these years,” Gentry said. “The community has spoken and we have listened.”
The press release said the centennial event will feature traditional attractions including livestock shows, carnival rides, and live entertainment. The press release said the board determined that hosting the event at the new fairgrounds this year would have resulted in an incomplete fair.
“Having the 100th fair on the original grounds will also give the fair board an opportunity to take time to plan and design the look and feel of the new fairgrounds and really take a moment to make it special for the community next year,” Gentry said. “We felt that we couldn’t have a complete fair at the new fairgrounds this year and that would be a disservice to our community. Agriculture is such a vibrant part of our fair and it’s important to us that it is fully represented.”
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the county government supports the board’s decision and has offered assistance to facilitate the event.
“We fully back whatever decisions the fair board makes towards the 100th Putnam County Fair and have offered our help to support them in any way that we are able,” Porter said. “I am confident that they will host another great fair and will work hard to honor 100 years of tradition with whichever location they have chosen.”
The press release said the 2026 fair will include special recognitions of the event’s history alongside a celebration for America 250.
The press release said additional details regarding event schedules and specific attractions will be released in the coming weeks.