Tunbridge World's Fair: Vermont's Most Storied Agricultural Fair
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The Tunbridge World's Fair has been running since 1867, and it wears every one of those years with pride. Held each September in the tiny town of Tunbridge in central Vermont, this four-day fair is one of the most storied agricultural events in New England — a place where farming tradition, community pride, and a slightly wild streak come together in a way that's hard to find anywhere else.
If you want to see what a real Vermont fair looks like — not a sanitized tourist version, but the genuine article — Tunbridge is where you go.
The History
The Union Agricultural Society, which runs the Tunbridge World's Fair, has been at it for over 150 years. The fair started as a straightforward agricultural exhibition, and while it's grown significantly, the core identity remains the same: this is a farmer's fair, organized by people who take agriculture seriously.
The "World's Fair" name is cheeky and self-aware — Tunbridge is a town of about 1,300 people. But the fair draws visitors from across Vermont, New Hampshire, and beyond, and the quality of the agricultural competitions is genuinely high.
What You'll Find
Livestock competitions are the main event. Dairy cattle (this is Vermont, after all), beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry are shown in serious competition. The dairy shows are particularly impressive — Vermont exhibitors bring animals that can compete at any level.
Ox and horse pulling is a Tunbridge tradition. The pulling arena is one of the social centers of the fair, and the competitions draw experienced teams from across the region. If you've never watched a pulling event, it's more exciting than you'd expect.
Harness racing adds to the Tunbridge experience — the fair has a track, and racing is part of the multi-day program.
Agricultural exhibits include the usual prize-winning vegetables, baked goods, canned goods, quilts, and floral displays — but the quality at Tunbridge tends to be high. This is a farming community that takes its competitions seriously.
The midway is modest but present — enough rides and games to keep kids happy, but not so large that it overwhelms the agricultural programming. Tunbridge isn't trying to be the Big E; it's trying to be Tunbridge.
The Atmosphere
Tunbridge has a reputation, and it's earned. The fair has a slightly more freewheeling energy than some of the more buttoned-up agricultural fairs in the region. Evening crowds tend to be lively, the music is loud, and the general attitude is that people are here to have a good time.
For families, the daytime hours are calm, agricultural, and kid-friendly. The livestock barns, the exhibits, and the pulling arena are the daytime centerpiece. Evening shifts toward entertainment, food, and socializing.
Practical Details
When: Typically four days in mid-September, Thursday through Sunday.
Where: The Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vermont. It's about 30 minutes south of Montpelier and about 45 minutes from White River Junction.
Getting there: The roads to Tunbridge are rural and two-lane. Expect some traffic on the approach, especially on weekend days. Parking is on-site.
Bring cash. Many vendors are cash only, and the ATM lines can be long.
Dress in layers. Mid-September in Vermont can be warm during the day and genuinely cool at night.
Book accommodations early. Tunbridge is a small town with limited lodging. Hotels in Montpelier, Barre, or Woodstock book up during fair weekend.
More Vermont Fair Guides on Meet Me at the Fair
- Vermont Agricultural Fairs 2026: Your Guide to the Best Fairs in the Green Mountain State
- Vermont Fall Foliage and Fairs: How to Combine the Best of Both
- Vermont Maple Products at Fairs: A Tasting Guide for Visitors
Last updated: April 2026
