This year’s Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo broke records with its Market Stock Sale. The five-day event drew thousands of visitors, creating millions of dollars of economic impact.  

The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo’s Market Stock Sale broke records in 2026, raising $1.7 million for local youth.  

“The Market Stock Sale represents the heart of our mission. It gives local youth the opportunity to develop responsibility, confidence and leadership through agriculture,”  

said Lori Lancaster, the fair’s executive director, in a statement. “This record belongs to the young exhibitors who spent months raising and preparing their animals, and to the community members and buyers who showed up to support them.” 

The 78th annual fair, which ran from Aug. 25-29, saw 120,398 attendees from 37 states. Ben Franklin Transit offered 36,796 free rides and the event had an estimated economic impact of $30.5 million. The fair directly created 177 jobs.  

This year’s fair also welcomed visitors to its new grandstands, which opened in time for the fair’s Demolition Derby and five nights of the Horse Heaven Round-Up.  

Other data from this year’s fair include: 

• 42 million households with potential access to the Horse Heaven Round-Up Broadcast. 
• 1,000 Boys & Girls Clubs clients and families invited to My First Rodeo. 
• 873 school employees and home educators admitted free. 
• $10,000 awarded in scholarships. 
• $2,544 donated to Second Harvest. 
• $2,250 awarded through the Youth Livestock Exhibitor Video Contest. 
• The fair parade drew 3,000 spectators and 2,375 participants to downtown Kennewick.