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People cheer for pigs racing at the Blount County Fair in Cleveland, Alabama — The Show Me Swine Races are always a hit at the Blount County Fair in Cleveland, Alabama, set for Sept. 15-19, 2026. (Blount County Tourism)

If fall can’t get here soon enough for you, get a jump on it with a good old county fair near Birmingham—the Blount County Fair set for Sept. 15-19, 2026, in Cleveland.

Few things say fall tradition more than a classic county fair, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and they’re always worth the drive a little ways out of the city.

You’ll find it all in Blount County, easily reachable within one hour to the northeast. And if you needed one more example of how the county checks all the boxes for a rustic, fall experience, it’s also the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama with a whole festival devoted to it!

Keep reading to learn more about delightful things to do and see in Blount County this fall season and plan your visit now.

Quick guide to fall in Blount County

Must-do fair near Birmingham: Blount County Fair Sept. 15-19, 2026

A young man and young woman hold an inflatable pig and hen respectively at the Blount County Fair agricultural exihibitions in Cleveland, Alabama — The Blount County Fair offers a mix of flashy midway rides and decadent treats with agricultural exhibits and shows. (Blount County Tourism)

People lined up on horses during the horse show of the Blount County Fair, the first fair near Birmingham of the fall season — The Blount County Fair offers a mix of flashy midway rides and decadent treats with agricultural exhibits and shows. (Blount County Tourism)

The Blount County Fair kicks off the season before any others in the Birmingham area. This year’s event celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a patriotic theme.

We can’t wait for:

🎡 Thrilling midway rides from James Gang Amusements
🍿 Fair food favorites (helloooo, funnel cake!)
🐥 4-H Chick Chain Show + Auction + 🐰 Rabbit Show
🐴 Horse Show with halter + riding classes
🧵 Handmade crafts + exhibits
🐷 … and yes, pig racing, back by popular demand!

🇺🇸 Blount County Fair 2026: “Stars, Stripes & Fairground Nights”

Where: Blount County Multi-Purpose Center, 6700 Co Hwy 1, Cleveland, AL 35049
When: Tues.-Sat., Sept. 15–19 | Hours vary daily
Cost: Admission is $5 for adults; free for kids under age 5 | Ride arm bands are $18 from Sept. 15-17 + $25 from Sept. 18-19; individual ride tickets will be available
Website | Facebook

Next up: Covered Bridge Festival set for Oct. 10, 2026

Swann Covered Bridge in Hayden, Alabama, one of three in Blount County, the covered bridge capital of Alabama — The Swann Covered Bridge in Cleveland is among three giving Blount County its title as the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama. (Blount County Tourism)

Blount County is home to more historic covered bridges than anywhere else in Alabama, with bragging rights for having three of the state’s 13. Every October in downtown Oneonta, residents celebrate that fact with a festival featuring live music, dancing, a quilt show, food trucks, vendors, a classic car cruise-in and plenty of socializing.

A big highlight are bus tours to see the bridges, which include:

This year’s Covered Bridge Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 10, 9AM-4PM. If you can’t make it to the party, the bridges are a must-see on any road trip to Blount County, especially later in the season when the leaves hit their peak colors.

Corn maze, pumpkin patches + more fall fun in Blount County

Two happy dogs at the Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden, Alabama, a popular Blount County fall destination — The Great Pumpkin Patch 2026 season runs Sept. 26 through Nov. 1 in Hayden. (Blount County Tourism)

It’s that time of year folks are looking for orchards and farms near Birmingham for hayrides, pumpkins, mums, cider slushies and corny-cute photo ops. Here are the spots for those fall traditions Blount County:

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden opens Sept. 26, 2026. Beyond pumpkin picking, people can take hayrides, play on inflatables, enjoy a petting zoo, shop a country store + much more through Nov. 1.
🌽 Moody Family Farms in Oneonta opens its fall activities on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, for weekends of fun featuring a corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn pit, barrel train + many more kids’ activities.

Plan a weekend in Blount County

An A-frame vacation rental in Blount County, Alabama — It’s hard to imagine stronger fall vibes than relaxing around a firepit by a woodsy A-frame or hiding away in a retro train caboose. Blount County has both and then some. (Blount County Tourism)

Sidetracked Oneonta, a unique vacation rental available to people who want to stay in Blount County, Alabama — It’s hard to imagine stronger fall vibes than relaxing around a firepit by a woodsy A-frame or hiding away in a retro train caboose. Blount County has both and then some. (Blount County Tourism)

Despite being so close to Birmingham, the rural vibe, small-town charm, downhome cooking and bounty of outdoor activities make Blount County feel like a getaway worth planning for an overnighter or weekender.

Check out these cool vacation rentals that include a vintage caboose, rustic A-frame and cozy downtown loft, and see all options for where to stay in Blount County here.

Ready to load up the car and go? We’d love to hear what all you discover when you wander a little in Blount County.