Benton County commissioners and the Benton-Franklin Fair Association have agreed to a new lease that will keep the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo at the Benton County Fairgrounds for the next five years. 

Benton County officials told county commissioners at their Sept. 16 meeting that the fair association had agreed to the new lease, though some minor changes were needed before it was official. Those changes were not detailed by the county in its announcement about the new lease.  

“Benton County is excited to continue growing the fair experience and celebrating with the community, with ongoing improvements in the years ahead,” the county said in a statement. 

Fair officials said they were pleased to have reached an agreement that provides stability and continuity for the fair. However, they also indicated that evolving circumstances, including rising costs partly attributed to the new lease, means changes will be needed.

"To maintain the quality of our event and meet rising operational costs, we'll need to make some adjustments moving forward," a statement from the fair association said. "We're committed to keeping the fair accessible while ensuring its long-term sustainability for future generations."

The new lease comes after weeks of contention between the county and fair association. County leaders said the fair has become too expensive for many families, isn’t transparent about its operations and needs to invest more in the facility. 

Fair officials have cited their own rising costs, the fact that the fair’s prices are comparable to similar fairs around the state, and their record of helping pay for past fairgrounds improvements and putting fair revenue toward grants, scholarships and other charitable causes that benefit the community. 

Under the terms of the new lease: 

• The fair association will contribute an additional $30,000 per year to capital improvements at the fairgrounds, on top of its $175,000 annual rental fee. 

• The fair association will have occupancy of the fairgrounds for the fair and rodeo for four weeks in August and September, a reduction from the six-week window in the last lease. 

• Benton County’s logo must be included in the event’s promotional materials indicating the county as a sponsor. 

• Fair organizers will provide a booth for the county inside one of the exhibit buildings, along with 20 single admission tickets and 20 general parking passes. 

• The county will receive 24 center premium upgraded seats at McDaniel Arena for each day of the fair and rodeo. Additionally, the county wants 10 VIP bundles with sponsor parking passes, gate admission and meal tickets, as well as 24 general parking passes for the week of the fair. 

• The lease may be terminated without cause by either party up to June 30 of each calendar year, with the termination being effective Dec. 31 of that year. 

• The fair association must provide the county with all its tax returns and other filings it provides to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. 

The county also agrees to pay the fair association $100,000 in liquidated damages if it is unable to use McDaniel Arena during the fair. If the fair association is only prevented from using a portion of the arena or not able to use it for the full time of occupancy, it will receive a portion of the $100,000 in proportion to that loss. 

That element of the agreement is connected to the county’s recently begun overhaul of the arena, which will double seating capacity and make other improvements. That work is scheduled to be done before the 2026 fair but “there is a chance of delays, work stoppages or complications beyond (Benton County’s) control.” 

10/07/25: This story was updated to include comments from the Benton-Franklin Fair Association.