About This Festival
The Madison County 4-H Fair is an annual week-long event held at Beulah Park Fairgrounds in Alexandria, Indiana, running the third full week of July—in 2025, from July 20 to July 26. It features free nightly entertainment, 4-H exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, great food, a senior day, a parade, live wood carving demonstrations and auctions, and a car show on Saturday. Parking costs $5, and the event is handicapped accessible.
Surrounding Area and Vibe:
Alexandria is a small town with a strong community feel, known as "Small Town USA." The fair draws visitors from the region, reaching over 12,000 annually, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere centered around youth agriculture and family fun. The event reflects the area's agricultural roots and community spirit, with local clubs and volunteers heavily involved.
Main Activities and Attractions:
- 4-H Exhibits & Competitions: Counties’ youth present projects in home arts, crafts, and livestock including swine, poultry, rabbits, llamas, and alpacas. Horse and pony shows are also prominent.
- Animal Shows: Swine Show, Poultry Mini 4-H Show, Rabbit Ambassador Contest, Llama and Alpaca Show, and Horse and Pony Show.
- Parade: Madison County 4-H Parade takes place on Sunday at 2 PM, sponsored by Alexandria Kiwanis, with line-up details provided locally.
- Carnival Rides and Food: Food concessions open by noon daily offering classic fair foods; North American Midway Entertainment provides rides starting 5 PM on the last day.
- Live Entertainment: Free nightly live music including local bands and performers on Saturday (e.g., Greg Rhodes and Remedy Band sponsored by Alexandria Kiwanis).
- Special Events: A live wood carver demonstration plus auction, a senior luncheon hosted by Community Hospital, and the Larry Maynard Memorial Car Show on Saturday, 11 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Youth-Focused Events: Various 4-H educational and judging contests including sewing, wearable arts, and consumer clothing earlier in July prior to the fair week.
Event Schedule Highlights (July 20-26, 2025):
| Day | Key Events | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday (July 20) | Swine Show, Poultry Mini 4-H Show, 4-H Parade, Rabbit Mini Show, Prizes in the Sky for kids | Fairgrounds / streets | 9 AM onwards, Parade 2 PM, Prizes 4 PM |
| Saturday (July 26) | 4-H Horse & Pony Show, Llama & Alpaca Show, Senior Luncheon, Larry Maynard Memorial Car Show, Food Concessions, Midway Rides, Live Music | Horse Arena, Show Arena, Various | 9 AM - Late evening |
History and Founding:
The Madison County 4-H Fair has been held since 1942, growing as a flagship event celebrating youth development in agriculture and community involvement. 4-H clubs throughout Madison County prepare projects that showcase skills in animal husbandry, crafts, and science, incorporating education and friendly competition. The fairgrounds provide a hub for local culture and tradition, continuously attracting thousands of visitors.
This diverse schedule combined with the family-friendly, historically rich environment makes the Madison County 4-H Fair a major agricultural and cultural highlight of the summer in this part of Indiana.