Rockingham County Fair
The Rockingham County Fair is a nonprofit organization that operates an annual August agricultural fair in Harrisonburg, Virginia, serving Shenandoah Valley families, 4-H/FFA youth, farmers, vendors, and sponsors through competitive exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, and year-round facility rentals on a 111-acre fairground.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersRockingham, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Rockingham County Fair does
The Rockingham County Fair is a nonprofit agricultural fair operated by the Rockingham County Fair Association, a public benefit corporation incorporated in Virginia and founded in 1949. The organization hosts an annual six-day fair each August (since 1964, beginning on the third Monday) at a 111-acre purpose-built fairground at 4808 S. Valley Pike in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The fair draws 40,000-90,000+ attendees annually and offers a diversified portfolio of competitive agricultural exhibitions (livestock shows for beef, dairy, sheep, and goats; 4-H/FFA market animal sales; farm crops; horticulture; flowers; home arts; photography; art), plus entertainment including grandstand concerts, tractor pulls, rodeos, demolition derbies, and carnival rides. It serves multiple customer segments: general public families, 4-H/FFA youth members, local farmers and agricultural producers, community organizations (Ruritan/Lions/Rotary clubs), commercial vendors, and corporate sponsors.
The business model is multi-stream: gate admissions ($5-$8 per adult), grandstand concert tickets ($17-$55), carnival ride bands ($27-$32), inside and outside vendor space rentals ($320-$1,000 per space), RV camping ($40/night across 60+ spaces), and multi-tier sponsorship packages (Gold through Double Diamond, with 30 percent of sponsorship value returned as fair tickets). The fair monetizes its physical infrastructure year-round through Exhibit Hall and Livestock Complex rentals for trade shows, banquets, conferences, and proms, plus off-season events like the RockTown Down & Dirty fitness challenge and The Money Pull tractor pull. Technology infrastructure is centered on the Saffire ticketing platform, which powers all online ticket sales, vendor applications, and donation processing, with FairEntry handling competition registration.
The organization is supported by a 54+ member civic ecosystem (Ruritan clubs, Lions clubs, Rotary, FFA, Farm Bureau, Virginia Cooperative Extension) and recognized by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) with approximately 20 consecutive years of 1st Place awards for Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors. Operations are managed by a small staff of approximately 4-5 full-time administrative and grounds personnel (General Manager Rebecca Holloway, Office Administrator Melissa Stum, Grounds Superintendent Tyrone Scott), supplemented by heavy seasonal volunteer and contractor labor during fair week.
Rockingham County Fair firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rockingham County Fair
- Legal name
- Rockingham County Fair Association
- Website
- https://rockinghamcountyfair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Rockingham County Fair is a nonprofit organization that operates an annual August agricultural fair in Harrisonburg, Virginia, serving Shenandoah Valley families, 4-H/FFA youth, farmers, vendors, and sponsors through competitive exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, and year-round facility rentals on a 111-acre fairground.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rockingham County Fair industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Fair Events
- NAICS
- Amusement and Theme Parks (71311), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Lifestyle, Home & Garden Shows (MPAGAFAB), Festival, Fair & Event Mobile Concessions (THAFAHAI)
Keywords
Where Rockingham County Fair is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockingham
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rockingham County Fair business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Gate Admissions: Entry fees for fair grounds access; advance tickets at $5.00-$5.50, gate admission at $8.00 for adults, with free entry for children 6 and under and discounted youth rates
- Grandstand Event Tickets: Concert and entertainment tickets ranging from $17.00 (festival style) to $55.00 (premium concerts), plus fair gate admission required for most events
- Vendor Space Rental: Inside exhibit spaces (10'x10' for $500, 10'x20' for $1,000) and outside commercial/retail spaces ranging from $320-$650 depending on size and type
- Carnival Rides: Ride bands available daily with varying prices ($27-$32 per band), with Monday $2 per ride promotion
- Camping Fees: RV camping at $40.00 per night with over 60 spaces available; livestock exhibitor camping sold via auction
- Sponsorships: Multi-level sponsorship packages (Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Sponsorship) offering website, social media, print advertising, signage, and vendor space benefits; 30% of sponsorship value returned as fair tickets
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Advance Gate Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gate Admission (Fair Week) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Grandstand Concert Tickets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Carnival Ride Bands |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Event Camping (Non-Livestock) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Vendor Spaces |
| Other | Annual | Sponsorship Packages |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Rockingham County Fair product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Rockingham County Fair is a nonprofit agricultural fair held annually each August (six days starting the third Monday) on its 111-acre fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Its core offering combines grandstand entertainment (concerts, rodeos, tractor/truck pulls, demolition derbies), carnival rides, and competitive exhibitions in livestock, 4-H/FFA market animals, home arts, photography, art, horticulture, flowers, and farm crops. Supporting offerings include RV camping, vendor space rentals, sponsorship packages, and year-round facility rentals of the Exhibit Hall, Livestock Complex, Pepsi Grandstand, and Excel Truck Group Arena.
Product overview
The Rockingham County Fair is a traditional county fair operated by the Rockingham County Fair Association, a nonprofit organization. The fair offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered around agricultural education, competitive exhibitions, and family entertainment. The core offerings include the annual multi-day fair event (typically held in August) featuring grandstand entertainment (concerts, rodeos, tractor pulls, demolition derbies), carnival rides with daily promotions, and on-grounds entertainment shows. The competitive exhibition program encompasses livestock shows (beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats), 4-H/FFA market animal programs, home arts, photography, art, horticulture, flowers, and farm crops. Supporting services include event camping facilities with over 60 RV spaces, facility rentals for trade shows and events (including the Exhibit Hall and Livestock Complex), beauty pageants, and sponsorship opportunities. The fair also maintains a ticketing platform powered by Saffire and uses FairEntry for competition registration. The organization hosts additional events throughout the year including RockTown Down & Dirty fitness challenges and The Money Pull tractor pull competitions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rockingham County Fair Annual Admissions
Companies that use Rockingham County Fair
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Rockingham County Fair technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Rockingham County Fair partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)coreThe Rockingham County Fair is a member of IAFE, which has awarded the fair 1st place for approximately 20 years for its Overall Program for Competitive Agricultural Exhibitors. IAFE membership provides industry standards, networking, and recognition within the fair and exposition industry.
- Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF)coreThe fair displays the VAF logo indicating membership in the state-level association supporting agricultural fairs across Virginia.
- Saffire (Ticketing Platform)coreAll tickets for the Rockingham County Fair are sold exclusively through the fair's website using Saffire ticketing software. Saffire powers the online ticket purchasing, event registration, vendor applications, and donation processing for the fair.
- Shenandoah Valley Regional AirportminorThe fairgrounds is located 10 minutes from Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, providing accessibility for visitors and performers.
- Rockingham County Farm BureaucoreOne of 54+ member organizations of the Rockingham County Fair Association. Farm Bureau provides agricultural industry support and advocacy for the fair's agricultural programming.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension - Rockingham CountycoreExtension agents serve as advisors and support for 4-H programming and agricultural exhibitions at the fair. Historical ties to the fair's founding in 1949 through early officers like T.L. Holoman, Secretary and 4-H Agent.
- Ruritan NationalcoreMultiple Ruritan clubs are member organizations of the Fair Association, including Bergton, Bridgewater, Briery Branch, Broadway/Timberville, Clover Hill, Cross Keys/Mill Creek, Dayton, Elkton, Fulks Run, Grottoes, Keezletown, Linville/Edom, Montezuma, Mt. Crawford, Port Republic, and West Rockingham chapters.
- Sentara RMHminorSponsor of the 2026 Demo Derby event. Provides marketing support and branding presence at the event.
- Dragon MotorsportsminorProvider of Truck and Tractor Pull entertainment for the 2026 fair (Wednesday, August 12). Event branded as Dragon Motorsports Tractor and Truck Pull.
- Hotel MadisonminorPreferred lodging partner listed on the fair website with contact information (540) 564-0200
- The Village InnminorPreferred lodging partner listed on the fair website with contact information (540) 434-7355
- Hampton Inn Harrisonburg-UniversityminorPreferred lodging partner listed on the fair website with contact information 540-432-1111
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Rockingham County Fair competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- North Carolina State Fair: A major southeastern state agricultural fair with livestock shows, grandstand concerts, and carnival attractions — a strong regional comparable operating in a neighboring state.
- West Virginia State Fair: A regional state agricultural fair in a neighboring Appalachian state with livestock exhibitions, country music grandstand entertainment, and a similar rural/agricultural community focus.
Direct peers
- Maryland State Fair: A Mid-Atlantic agricultural state fair with comparable livestock exhibitions, 4-H/FFA programming, grandstand entertainment, and a similar mix of agriculture, carnival, and community events — closely analogous in scale and demographic.
- Pennsylvania Farm Show: The largest indoor agricultural exposition in the U.S., run by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with a deep livestock and agricultural competition program that mirrors Rockingham's IAFE-recognized competitive exhibitions.
- Wisconsin State Fair: A major Midwestern state agricultural fair with livestock exhibitions, 4-H/FFA programming, grandstand entertainment, and a similar mix of agricultural education and consumer entertainment.
- State Fair of Virginia: The Commonwealth of Virginia's flagship state agricultural fair, operating on a similar annual multi-day model with livestock exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, and carnival attractions — the most directly comparable fair in the same state.
- National Western Stock Show: A premier livestock and agricultural exposition held annually in Denver, with a livestock-show focus that closely mirrors Rockingham's award-winning competitive agricultural programming.
- The Big E (Eastern States Exposition): The largest agricultural fair in the Northeast, a multi-state exposition with livestock exhibitions, grandstand entertainment, and a comparable balance of agricultural competition and consumer entertainment — operating at meaningfully larger scale.
- Iowa State Fair: One of the most iconic U.S. state agricultural fairs, known for livestock competitions, blue-ribbon agricultural exhibitions, and grandstand entertainment — the gold-standard comparable for a competitive agricultural exhibition program.
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: The world's largest livestock exhibition and rodeo, combining agricultural competition, livestock shows, and large-scale entertainment — comparable as a livestock-first agricultural fair with major grandstand entertainment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rockingham County Fair social profiles
Digital presenceRockingham County Fair financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rockingham County Fair leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Rockingham County Fair funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rockingham County Fair M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rockingham County Fair
What does Rockingham County Fair do?
The Rockingham County Fair is a nonprofit agricultural fair held annually each August (six days starting the third Monday) on its 111-acre fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Its core offering combines grandstand entertainment (concerts, rodeos, tractor/truck pulls, demolition derbies), carnival rides, and competitive exhibitions in livestock, 4-H/FFA market animals, home arts, photography, art, horticulture, flowers, and farm crops. Supporting offerings include RV camping, vendor space rentals, sponsorship packages, and year-round facility rentals of the Exhibit Hall, Livestock Complex, Pepsi Grandstand, and Excel Truck Group Arena.
Is Rockingham County Fair a public or private company?
Rockingham County Fair is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rockingham County Fair founded?
Rockingham County Fair was founded in 1949. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Rockingham County Fair based?
Rockingham County Fair is headquartered in Rockingham, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Rockingham County Fair make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Gate Admissions are the primary driver. The others are grandstand Event Tickets, vendor Space Rental, carnival Rides, camping Fees and sponsorships.
Who are Rockingham County Fair's main competitors?
Regional players on record are North Carolina State Fair and West Virginia State Fair. Direct peers are Maryland State Fair, Pennsylvania Farm Show, Wisconsin State Fair, State Fair of Virginia, National Western Stock Show, The Big E (Eastern States Exposition), Iowa State Fair and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Does Rockingham County Fair have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rockingham County Fair.
What industry is Rockingham County Fair in?
Rockingham County Fair's product category is Agricultural Fair Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAFAO, Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs, with a secondary code of THAHAAAH, Fairgrounds & Expo Parks. Its NAICS code is 71311 and its SIC code is 7900.