Alfalfa County Fairgrounds - Gathering Crowds Since 1908
- Korina Dove
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 1
When the Cherokee Fairgrounds were dedicated on June 6, 1908, the grand opening was celebrated with One Big Race Day. The event featured fast horses of all classes and was sponsored by the Commercial Club with proceeds benifiting the newly formed Fair Association. More than 100 years later, you might not find much horse racing, but you will find the county's biggest free fair and one of Oklahoma's finest fall rodeos — along with a whole different name — at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds. Learn about Alfalfa County Fairgrounds activities and history, fairgrounds offices and overseers, how to book RV spaces and where to capture sunset views when passing through Cherokee or attending multi-day Alfalfa County events.
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Annual Events at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
With a contemporary rodeo arena, modern show barns and spacious exhibit building, Alfalfa County Fairgrounds plays host to some of the county's biggest events every year. Alfalfa County Fall Free Fair was introduced in 1908 shortly after the original building was dedicated, and Great Salt Plains Stampede Rodeo, a long-running annual event, replaced once-held horseracing competitions.
Alfalfa County Spring Livestock Show – Head to Alfalfa County Fairgrounds in February, the week of Presidents' Day, for area youth livestock shows for cattle, swine, sheep and goats.
Free Family Fun Fair - Enjoy a Saturday in March with the kids at the annual Family Fun Fair, one of Alfalfa County's longest-running annual events. Children of all ages enjoy free games, programs and reading, plus they can enter to win door prizes, which often includes a new bicycle! Free lunch is always served, and everyone is welcome.
Great Salt Plains Stampede Rodeo – Saddle up two nights in August for bareback riding, saddle bronc competitions, roping events, barrel racing, bull riding and special competitions, like wild cow saddling and 4-wheeler barrel racing. Organized by members of the Cherokee Roundup Club, the rodeo also includes competitions for queen, princess, and junior princess titles for which participants campaign for votes weeks before the big event.
Summer Playdays - Save the date for Cherokee Roundup Club Summer Playdays at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds. Anyone 18 years old and older is invited to compete in five weekend contests and a finals event, where the top six participants in each event receive prizes.
Alfalfa County Fall Free Fair – Every September for four days, the Alfalfa County Fairgrounds fill up with fairgoers competing in livestock shows, 4-H, FFA and OHCE exhibits and even a friendly pedal tractor pulling match. Today's Alfalfa County Fall Free Fair events are a bit different from the inaugural Cherokee Fair that featured automobile races and daily balloon ascensions, but fair week in Alfalfa County is still a big event!
Watch the Alfalfa County Buzz Events page for full details about upcoming events at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds.
Directions to Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
Address: 600-698 W 5th St, Cherokee, OK 73728
From State Highway 64, travelers can head west on 5th Street in Cherokee and drive five blocks. Alfalfa County Fairgrounds will be on your left. Travelers coming from destinations west of Cherokee can enter town using Greer Road. The fairgrounds will be on your right on the west edge of town.
RV Parking at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
RVers always have a place to stay when passing through Cherokee or attending Alfalfa County events. Alfalfa County Fairgrounds features 20 RV spaces with electric and water hookups and nearby stalls and warming pens for horses. Indoor restrooms are available during event hours only. Visitors who stay overnight must have self-contained vehicles.
Online booking is not available. To reserve an RV spot at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds, call (580) 596-6594.
Sunset Views at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
Set against a wheatfield and wide-open spaces, the west side of the Alfalfa County Fairgrounds parking lot lends one of the best sunset views in Cherokee. Stop in town any time of year for some dinner and a photo of what Alfalfa County folks call the "country skyline."
Built for Community Gatherings
Historically, Alfalfa County Fairgrounds is significant in that it was one of the first buildings established in the name of newly formed Alfalfa County upon Oklahoma's 1907 declaration of statehood. Community-wise, the fairgrounds buildings have hosted some of the area's largest gatherings, like county-wide stock shows, rockhound festivals, bingo games and fundraising dinners featuring everything from homemade chicken and noodles and barbecue to hamburgers and calf fries. And if you don't know what that is, here's a basketful.
Today's Fairgrounds Expanded to Accommodate Crowds & County Offices
To meet demands of growing crowds, modern show buildings and giving extra space to Alfalfa County Courthouse employees, Alfalfa County Fairgrounds underwent an extensive remodel and expansion, which was completed in 2015. The upgrades included new show barns, improvements to restrooms and facilities and the addition of a new building that houses two county offices, as well as the Alfalfa County Fair Board main office. Contact the Alfalfa County Fair Board office to schedule events and book Alfalfa County Fairgrounds buildings.
County Offices at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
Alfalfa County Fair Board Office - (580) 596-3102
Fair Board Office Mobile - (580) 596-6594
Alfalfa County Election Board, Suite 3 - (580) 596-2718
Alfalfa County OSU Extension Office, Suite 2 - (580) 596-3131
Alfalfa County Fair Board Officers & Members (2024-2027)
David Failes, President
Jake Thorp, Vice-President
Kasey Hayes, Secretary
Chris Parker, Treasurer
Troy Shepard, Member
Troy Campbell, Member
Dave Allen, Member
Brian Collins, Member
Jeff Waugh, Member
Office Address: 602 W. 5th Street, Cherokee, OK 73728
You're Always Welcome to Events at Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
From its small beginnings to its modern facilities, Alfalfa County Fairgrounds has always been a gathering place for Alfalfa County residents and visitors alike. Stop by the fairgrounds during the annual fall free fair or plan on staying in an RV both days of the rodeo. However you happen to visit Alfalfa County Fairgrounds, enjoy your stay in Cherokee!
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