Cleveland County Fair Inc. Fairground facilities are available to rent throughout the year.
is an agricultural organization assisting the development of agricultural education resources in the county and annually includes family fun and entertainment. For over 100 years the Cleveland County Fair has been home to what has become North Carolina's largest agricultural fair. The annual fair promotes agriculture, education, history, along with art and industry. The first Cleveland County Fair
was held in 1924, with 70,000 people in attendance. The fair was created by the Shelby Kiwanis Club, which combined the community fairs of Boiling Springs, Fallston, and Union into one event. The fair celebrates the coming together of city and farm life, and it features a variety of attractions.
08/21/2025
🎉 It’s your chance to make fair history — help us NAME OUR MASCOT! 🎉
Think you’ve got the perfect name? Fill out the form here:
👉https://clevelandcountyfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Name-the-Mascot.pdf
📅 Deadline: September 11
🏆 Winner announced: September 15
Submit your entry by email to [email protected] OR mail it to:
Cleveland County Fairgrounds
1751 E Marion St.
Shelby, NC 28152
Bring your creativity — and we’ll see who names the newest face of the fair! 🐮🎡
08/19/2025
🚨 Calling all creators! 🚨
Want to be an influencer for the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair? Show the world how YOU “See it in Shelby!”
Email [email protected] with subject line CLEVELAND COUNTY and include:
• Your social media handles
• Reel examples
• A short bio
• Why you’d make the perfect fair influencer
08/14/2025
See it in Shelby — and see you there! September 25–October 5. Mark your calendar and find all the details at seeitinshelby.com.
05/09/2025
!!! REMINDER !!! KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
STRAWBERRY SLAM DEMOLITION DERBY
Grandstand Tickets including Box Seats are CASH ONLY.
Grandstand General Admission: Adults $15 / Ages 6-12 $10
Grandstand Box Seats: $20
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
05/08/2025
Carolina Derby Promotions STRAWBERRY SLAM
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Grandstand Tickets (including Box Seats) will be CASH only!
May 9th and 10th
Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Shelby NC
05/07/2025
⚠️ IMPORTANT TICKET & STREAMING ALERT for the Strawberry Slam!
Hey Derby Fans! Just a friendly reminder as we get closer to the Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby on May 9th & 10th at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, NC:
❌ There are NO Online Ticket Sales!
❌ There will be NO Live Stream of the event!
Please be aware that there have been reports of scam pages attempting to sell online tickets and promote a live stream. DO NOT fall for these scams! 😠
The ONLY official source for information and updates about the Strawberry Slam is the Carolina Derby Promotions page and the events we create directly from that page.
Please be cautious and only trust information posted on the official Carolina Derby Promotions channels. Don't let the scammers ruin your derby weekend! Spread the word and help us keep our derby community safe! 👍
We can't wait to see you in person at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds for some real metal-mashing action! 🚗💨🍓💥
⚠️ IMPORTANT TICKET & STREAMING ALERT for the Strawberry Slam! ⚠️
Hey Derby Fans! Just a friendly reminder as we get closer to the Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby on May 9th & 10th at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, NC:
❌ There are NO Online Ticket Sales!
❌ There will be NO Live Stream of the event!
Please be aware that there have been reports of scam pages attempting to sell online tickets and promote a live stream. DO NOT fall for these scams! 😠
The ONLY official source for information and updates about the Strawberry Slam is the Carolina Derby Promotions page and the events we create directly from that page.
Please be cautious and only trust information posted on the official Carolina Derby Promotions channels. Don't let the scammers ruin your derby weekend! Spread the word and help us keep our derby community safe! 👍
We can't wait to see you in person at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds for some real metal-mashing action! 🚗💨🍓💥
05/02/2025
🍓💥 Get ready for TWO HUGE days of derby action at the Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby! 💥🍓
🗓️ Friday, May 9th @ 6:00 PM: The metal-mashing begins with the 3 vs 3 Team Show HEATS! 🔥 We've got 16 Built FWD/Compact teams and 11 80's & Newer teams battling it out to make it to the $5,000 💰 to win feature or fight their way through the consi! 🚗💨
🗓️ Saturday, May 10th @ 4:30 PM: The excitement continues with a packed schedule! 🤩
🍓💥 Get ready for TWO HUGE days of derby action at the Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby! 💥🍓
🗓️ Friday, May 9th @ 6:00 PM: The metal-mashing begins with the 3 vs 3 Team Show HEATS! 🔥 We've got 16 Built FWD/Compact teams and 11 80's & Newer teams battling it out to make it to the $5,000 💰 to win feature or fight their way through the consi! 🚗💨
🗓️ Saturday, May 10th @ 4:30 PM: The excitement continues with a packed schedule! 🤩
Built FWD/Compact Teams Consi & Feature 🏆
80's & Newer Teams Consi & Feature 🏆
Power Wheels ⚡️
Mini Van/SUV/Minitruck 🚐
Bumper Swap FWD/Compact ↔️
Full Size 🚜
Youth FWD/Compact 👶🚗
⏰ Still time to pre-enter for ALL CLASSES (except Team Shows) at https://cdpromotions.ticketspice.com/2025-strawberry-slam-demolition-derby-! 💻 But don't worry, you can still enter day-of at the track! 🏁
A HUGE thank you to our awesome supporting sponsors! 🙏
Yarbrough's Grading
Jason's Auto Repair
In A Minute Towing and Recovery
Bangin' Graphics
Ronnie Ledford Roofing
Herc Rental
Allison Golf Cars
Danny's Autowerks
Boiling Springs Auto Parts
Bubba's Auto Shop
ABC Auto Express
Links Enterprize
Jerry's Derby Cars
Hugo Auto Sales
ShadeTree Graphix
See you at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds! 📍 Don't miss the one! 🔨💥
04/30/2025
The Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby is roaring into the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, NC on May 9th and 10th! Get ready for a weekend of smashing, crashing, and pure demolition mayhem!
Box seat tickets on sale NOW!
Cleveland County Fair Office from 9:00-3:00
Alright derby fans, get ready for the BEST seats in the house AND general admission info! 🔥
📣 EXCITING NEWS! 📣 Box seats for the Strawberry Slam Demolition Derby are NOW ON SALE! 🍓💥
Want to be RIGHT in the heart of the smashing action on May 9th & 10th at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, NC? 🏁 These box seats are the CLOSEST you can get to the metal-mashing mayhem! 🚗💨 And they're just $20! 💰
Forget fighting the crowd! With a box seat, you'll have a prime, designated viewing area to enjoy all the thrills and spills in comfort! 🙌
Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity! Secure your box seats TODAY at the Cleveland County Fair Office!
⏰ Sales are daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
For those looking for general admission in the Grandstand, here's the pricing:
Adults: $15
Ages 6-12: $10
Ages 5 and Under: FREE! 🎉
Get your tickets soon for an unforgettable weekend of derby action! We can't wait to see you there! 👋
🎟️🔥👑
04/26/2025
ZERBINI FAMILY CIRCUS THIS WEEKEND!
Tickets on sale now!
Get Discount Tickets Now!
04/24/2025
STARTING TONIGHT!! THURSDAY APRIL 24TH!! SHOW STARTS 6:00!!
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE at the Show's On-Site Box Office
Shelby, North Carolina Get ready for a thrilling extravaganza under the Big Top 🎪 🗓️ Thursday through Sunday, April 24th – 27th at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds!
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cleveland County Fair posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
95 YEARS AND COUNTING...
HISTORY OF THE CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIR
It was in 1923 that the Shelby Kiwanis Club first began to dream of a county-wide fair.
They initiated a remarkable fundraising effort that raised $15,000 (about $200,000 in today's money) to establish the Cleveland County Fair, and the first ever fair was held that year, with approximately 70,000 people flocking to see.
The fair immediately established itself as the largest agricultural county fair in North Carolina, and continues to provide the excitement of rides and races, but also has continued the unwavering commitment to bringing the best agricultural practices to Cleveland County.
As Cleveland County Fair legend Dr. JS "Doc" Dorton stated at the very start...
"The purpose of the fair is to provide an opportunity for citizens to display the fruits of their labors, to meet and compare notes on crops, livestock, farm machinery, home development and improvement"
Doc Dorton was among the first officers of the fair, went on to become fair manager for 38 years and the Cleveland County fair remains true to its heritage today.
The formula for a successful fair included the bringing together of farm and city life to showcase agriculture and industry with exhibits and education. Throughout the years, the ingredients have changed, but the formula for a successful fair remains the same.
