Welcome
Experience the Thrill of the Amherst Fair!
Join us from Thursday – July 17th to Sunday - July 20th 2025
for fun, games, animals and excitement at Amherst Fair!
Portage County Fair – Amherst – Sponsorship Opportunities
Help Our Cause
Your sponsorship and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.
Our Sponsors
Important events
Unlimited Ride Wristbands
Unlimited Ride Wristbands
Unlimited Ride Wristbands
$20 Each
Thursday – July 17th 6-10pm
Saturday - July 19th Noon - 4 pm & 5 - 9 pm
Sunday - July 20th Noon -4 pm
Livestock/ Animal Events
Unlimited Ride Wristbands
Livestock/ Animal Events
All Animal Judging, Showing, and Auction Events
Demolition Derby
Truck and Tractor Pull
Livestock/ Animal Events
Saturday - July 19th 3pm
$10 at the Gate
Truck and Tractor Pull
Truck and Tractor Pull
Truck and Tractor Pull
Friday – July 18th 6:30 pm
$8 at the Gate
Music
Truck and Tractor Pull
Truck and Tractor Pull
Thursday July 17th:
Around Town 7:30 -11:00 p.m.
Friday July 18th:
Ask Your Mother 8:30 - 12:00 a.m.
Saturday July 19th:
Through Crimson 5 - 8 p.m.
Blame it on Waylon 8:30 - 12:30 a.m.
Cake Judging/Cake Auction
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
Thursday – July 17th
6-8 pm Face to Face Cake Judging
Friday – July 18th
7 pm. Cake Auction – Ruth Otto Building – Open to the Public
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
Friday – July 18th. From 4 pm to sell out
Fair Parade ”Halloween Theme”
St. Judes Fish Fry at the Fair Fundraiser
Ambrosia Pub & Grill Breakfast at the Fair
Saturday - July 19th
Starts at Noon from Amherst Middle school and finishes at the fairgrounds
Ambrosia Pub & Grill Breakfast at the Fair
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
Ambrosia Pub & Grill Breakfast at the Fair
Sunday - July 20th 9am to Noon
Peddle Tractor Races
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
Sunday - July 20th
11:30 am Check in & last minute registration
Starts at Noon!
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
VolleyBall & Corn Hole Tournaments/ Bingo & Raffle
Sunday - July 20th
Volleyball Tourney - 9 am Start
Corn Hole Tournament - Starts at Noon!
Bingo - Starts at 1 pm
Raffle Starts at 6 pm
Capture the joy: Moments from the fair experience
About Amherst Fair
Our History
The first Portage County Fair Association was organized in 1869, and the first fair was held the same year. The Portage County Fair was held at Amherst continuously from 1869 to 1917. In 1917, the officers of the association voted not to hold the 50th Fair that year (1918) but to have a big homecoming affair, because many of the boys were in World War I service. Later that year the state legislature passed a law which discontinued state aid to fairs not operating in 1918 and this forced the closing of the Portage County Fair. Subsequently, the Portage County Advancement Association was organized; shares were sold and a cattle barn was erected. For a number of years annual cattle sales were held on the fairgrounds. With the coming of the depression years in the 1930’s, these cattle sales were discontinued. In 1949 the Amherst Lion’s Club and local business people revived the fair. In 1950 the new Portage County Fair Association was formed and took over the management to make the fair an annual event. The Fair, as originally founded, was intended to serve the community by way of fostering and promoting the interests of youth in 4-H and FFA programs. It was intended that the youth of the community and surrounding area should have an opportunity to exhibit agricultural skills and compete for prizes, trophies, and recognition, all under the guidance of qualified 4-H and FFA leaders. The Fair itself, running for three full days is the culmination of hard work on the part of leaders and youth and months of work and study. The Fair today, while having far outgrown its original size and number of participants, adheres to its original objectives and philosophies. The Portage County Fair of Amherst remains, basically, a 4-H and FFA event. The Portage County Fair Association is a non-profit organization, serving the community and surrounding area. Business people contribute much in the way of advertising support. Dominant organizations would and should include 4-H, FFA, The Tomorrow River Lions, The Amherst Women’s Club, The Amherst Garden Club, The Hobby-Lobby Group, The Amherst Boots and Saddle Club, and the Tomorrow River Conservation Club. Many area people are in one or more of these organizations. Because the Fair Association is a non-profit organization, any income over and above expenses is funneled back into the association for improvements in buildings, grounds, sanitation, and safety. This dedication and purpose has made our facilities what they are today, one of the best in the state. Again, our people and the community can take great pride in our facilities. Continued improvements will be made in the years ahead.
Contact Us
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our customers, so feel free to send us a message or call.
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
