There’s something about fair week that feels like Tri-Cities summer in one place.
The lights come on, the rodeo gets loud, families head for the carnival, local makers fill their booths, and suddenly everyone seems to know someone who is going.
The 2026 Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo runs August 25–29 in Pasco, bringing five days of entertainment, exhibits, carnival fun, rodeo action and live music to the community. This year’s theme says it well: “The Best Week of Summer.”
Five Nights of Live Music
One of the biggest attractions this year is the Summer Concert Series, with a different headliner taking the ICCU Main Stage every evening at 7:45 PM:
Tuesday, August 25 — Brantley Gilbert
Wednesday, August 26 — Skillet
Thursday, August 27 — Lee Brice
Friday, August 28 — The Art of Rap
Saturday, August 29 — El Jerry & Gerardo Coronel
From country and rock to hip-hop and regional Mexican music, there’s a little something for just about every playlist in the Tri-Cities.
Helpful note: If you purchase reserved concert seating, fair admission is still required separately.
Rodeo Nights Are Back, Too
Fair week would not feel complete without the Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo.
The rodeo begins at 7:00 PM each night from August 25–29 at Speck Dealerships Arena, with different themed nights throughout the week, including Opening Night, My First Rodeo Night, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, Visiting Royalty Night and Patriot Night.
Whether rodeo night is an annual family tradition or this will be your first time in the stands, it’s one of those experiences that feels unmistakably local.
Carnival Rides, Exhibits & Local Finds
Prefer your fair experience with a little more spinning, screaming and debating whether you’re brave enough for “one more ride”?
The Davis Carnival opens daily at noon, with rides running throughout fair week.
There are also youth and open-class exhibits, contests, demonstrations and market stock events happening throughout the fair.
And don’t skip the Hometown Marketplace. Created specifically to showcase Tri-Cities entrepreneurs, the marketplace features local makers and one-of-a-kind products, with participating vendors required to have at least half of the items they sell or showcase made locally. The marketplace is scheduled to operate from noon to 9 PM daily during the fair.
That makes it an easy opportunity to enjoy the fair while also supporting people creating and building businesses right here in our community.
Planning Your Fair Day
The fair is open:
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM–Midnight
The Benton Franklin Fairgrounds are located at 812 W. Washington Street in Pasco.
Before heading out, it’s worth checking the official fair schedule for the day you plan to attend. With concerts, rodeo events, exhibits, demonstrations and carnival activities happening across the grounds, having a few must-see stops picked out ahead of time can make the day easier.
And because this is Tri-Cities in August, water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes deserve a spot on the checklist too.
A Week That Feels Like Tri-Cities
The best part of events like the Benton Franklin Fair isn’t just what’s on the schedule.
It’s running into neighbors you haven’t seen in months. It’s kids deciding which ride they absolutely have to go on again. It’s supporting a local maker, hearing the crowd during the rodeo and ending the night under the fairground lights.
Those are the moments that turn a community event into a local tradition.
As a business based here in Pasco and serving Kennewick, Richland and communities throughout the Tri-Cities, Total Quality Air is proud to call this area home.
Have a fun and safe Benton Franklin Fair week, Tri-Cities!
And now for the important question:
What are you going for first — the rodeo, the rides, the concerts, the exhibits or the local marketplace?
