The 2025 Sumter County Fair is almost here! Set to take place February 28 to March 9 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell, this 10-day event will feature thrilling rides, exciting entertainment, and a variety of family-friendly attractions.

The midway will be packed with excitement, featuring a wide range of rides for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to classic favorites like the Ferris wheel. Attendees can enjoy popular fair staples, including deep-fried delights, cotton candy, and unique drink options such as dirty sodas. The midway will also feature carnival games where visitors can test their skills and win prizes.

Over in the commercial hall, local boutiques and specialty vendors will set up their unique goods.

“We have a lot of local vendors who have everything from sweet tea and boiled peanuts, freeze-dried candy and bougie drinks, like lemonade with cotton candy coming out the top,” Entertainment Director Austin White says. “We also have a lot of different local boutiques like Prominent Fox and Nonnie’s Boutique that will be there as well.”

Livestock remains a key focus of the fair, with daily shows running from Tuesday through Friday and culminating in a popular livestock sale on the final Saturday.

“We have one of the biggest sales in the state of Florida,” Austin says. “Our sales are in the millions of dollars—it’s crazy. It’s one of my favorite parts of the fair. I love seeing the kids’ eyes light up as they showcase all their hard work, and I am so glad we are blessed to have so many companies that come out to support them by purchasing their livestock.”

The market livestock schedule includes market lamb, swine, and steer showmanship on Tuesday, market swine show on Wednesday, and the market steer show on Thursday. Friday will feature the market lamb show, followed by the livestock sale Saturday that starts at 11am.

Entertainment at this year’s fair will feature a range of performers, including Scooter the DJ. With the theme, “Diamond Jubilee,” Scooter is ready to kick off the disco cowboy theme.

The Sumter County Fair is proud to bring headlining concerts to the area for the second year.

On Friday night, Grammy and CMA award-winning artist Shenandoah will take the stage. Shenandoah is known for their classic hits like “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road,” and “Next to You, Next to Me.” With a career spanning over three decades, Shenandoah has become a staple in country music, blending traditional sounds with modern influences. The band’s heartfelt lyrics and signature harmonies have earned them a devoted following and numerous accolades throughout their career. Their live performances continue to captivate audiences, making them a must-see act at this year’s Sumter County Fair.

Priscilla Block will be the feature artist on Saturday. A rising star in country music, Pricilla has captured audiences with her relatable lyrics and blend of country-pop influences. Known for hits such as “Just About Over You,” she continues to make waves in the industry with her energetic performances.

Kaleb Sanders, who’s from Sumter County and now in Nashville, is going to come home and open up for Priscilla. Kaleb is familiar with the true ‘Southern lifestyle,’ spending most of his days working on the family farm, caring for animals, and tending to cattle. Kaleb’s passion for music stems from taking long tractor rides while listening to his favorite Southern rock and classic country tunes.

Sadie Bass is another upcoming name in the country scene that will open for Pricilla. An outdoorswoman at heart, Sadie spent much of her childhood playing sports, hunting, and fishing. At age 19, she felt called to pursue music, leaving behind college and a softball scholarship to follow her dreams. Sadie’s passion lies in connecting with people through her music. “Whenever I am playing a show and see someone in the crowd singing along to one of my originals,” she says, “or when someone messages me saying they related to my lyrics during a tough time, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Sunday will feature a free Christian concert by the contemporary Southern Gospel trio, Southbound, featuring Bishop Clint Brown, Seth J. Elbe, and Jody Braselton. They are known for their powerful lyrics and harmonies, bringing a fresh sound to classic gospel music while delivering a soulful touch to new songs. Southbound travels with a mission to reconnect with the deep roots of Southern Gospel and inspire audiences with their uplifting performances. Additionally there will be church services on both Sundays of the fair.

Local artists Braxton Bennett and John Johnson will also perform throughout the week.

For added entertainment, the nightly fair will include acts Danny Grant Cowboy Circus, fan-favorite attraction Brad Matchett Comedy Hypnotist and magician TJ Hill. The first weekend will also feature a demolition derby which has always been a great hit.

New this year, fairgoers can enjoy the exciting alligator wrestling show, “Scales, Tales, & Teeth,” which showcases thrilling and educational demonstrations featuring live alligators.

When asked about his favorite part of the fair, Austin shared, “Personally, my favorite are the concerts. This is our second year doing it, I am grateful we have the opportunity to bring headline acts to Sumter County which wouldn’t be possible without our amazing sponsors!”

This year, the fair has also added an extra day to the schedule. Traditionally a 9-day fair ending on Saturday night, this year the fair will extend to the following Sunday to ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy the festivities .

Advance tickets are now on sale. Visit the official fair website, www.sumterfair.net, for a full schedule of events and ticket information.