Food, fireworks, and family fun on the Fourth!
This annual event is bigger and better than ever with live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and more thanks to sponsors Airworx, City of Orangeburg, CMW Communications, Orangeburg County and others.
Come down to the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds starting at 2:00 PM!
ENTERTAINMENT
Julia Neville will be singing live and teaching line dancing to the crowd.
Joe Rich will jump from a helicopter with an American flag attached to him in a thrilling spectacular.
Hungry patrons will compete in 2 different eating contests! (Learn more below.)
We’ll also have an all-terrain train ride (fee), glitter tattoos and face painting (fee), and bounce houses (fee) available for our younger patrons.
Onsite food trucks will provide a wide variety of treats and meals, while local artisans and vendors will be selling clothing, toys, crafts, artwork, and much more.
We’ll end the night with a huge fireworks show, sponsored by DPU and organized by Mike’s Fireworks. The show will start at approximately 9:15 PM.
ADULTS’ COMPETITIVE EATING COMPETITION
Adults can vie for title of second annual hot dog eating champion. Prizes are sponsored by AirWorx:
1st prize: trophy, $500 cash, and bragging rights for a year
2nd prize: $250 cash
3rd prize: $100 cash
Sign-ups for the hot dog eating competition will occur on the day of the event. There is a maximum of 15 contests, so come early to register.
This contest is only open for contestants 18 and older, and a signed waiver is required to participate.
The winner is the contestant who can eat the most hot dogs in 8 minutes. Water will be available throughout the contest, but hot dogs must be consumed without condiments.
KIDS’ COMPETITIVE EATING COMPETITION
Kids can join the first annual watermelon eating content to win some great prizes, too!
There’s free entry, but parents will need to sign a waiver for their child(ren)’s participation.
There are 3 age groups:
🍉 Sparklers: ages 6-9
🍉 Stars: ages 10-13
🍉 Firecrackers: ages 14-17
There are only TEN spots per group, so be sure to show up at the Fourth of July at the Fairgrounds event early to register.
Each group will have a 5 minute time limit to eat as many seedless watermelons as they can. The Sparklers group will be provided half watermelons, while the Stars and Firecrackers groups will be provided full watermelons. The most watermelon(s) eaten wins!
*Kids will have access to water throughout the contest.
Sponsored by Lisko Family Amusements, the watermelon contest winners in each age group will receive:
1st place: 2-pack of 2026 Orangeburg County Fair ride wristbands and entry tickets and a $25 gift card to Fat Buddy’s BBQ food truck at the Fourth of July event
2nd place: light up toy of your choice from the on-site cart
3rd place: light up toy of your choice from the on-site cart
SCHEDULED FOOD TRUCKS:
Lowcountry Cone Company: soft serve ice cream and desserts
Tasty Treats to Go: mini donuts, freshly squeezed lemonade, iced coffee and more
Jabae’s Italian Water Ice: Italian ices in a variety of flavors
Taste of Philippine Cuisine: lumpia, pork adobo, empanadas, siomai, and more
Fat Buddy’s BBQ: pulled pork, bbq sandwiches, brisket, ribs, and sides
Pelican’s: New Orleans-style shaved ice
Wayne’s Coffee Cart: boba, lattes, frappes, smoothies
Lemonade Bus: fresh lemonade, hotdogs, sausage dogs and nachos
3Cooks and Amiricle: burgers, French fries, fried fish, and more
Mr. Elote Snack Bar: street corn, homemade birria dishes, aguas frescas and more
R&A Cafe: American cuisine, funnel cakes, Philadelphia water ices
Fiske Fries: freshly cut French fries and fountain drinks
You can also snack on popcorn and cotton candy, sold by the Orangeburg County Fair Board.
FREE PARKING & FREE ADMISSION! Bring cash for vendor booths, food trucks, and paid activities.
Vendor and Food Truck Applications
Vendor applications available here. Cost: $100 for 10’ x 10’ space. We are only accepting arts and crafts vendors at this time. No food or drink-based booths of any kind will be accepted.
Food truck applications have closed. Thank you for your interest!
Fourth of July at the Fairgrounds 2026 FAQs
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The gates will open at 2 PM for general admission.
The fireworks show will start at approximately 9:15 PM, and the event will finish after the fireworks are completed.
Detailed schedule will be posted closer to the event.
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You’re welcome to bring beach chairs and picnic blankets to watch the fireworks.
The fair’s clear bag policy will be in effect for the Fourth of July event. (See clear bag policy details here.)
Diaper bags and medically necessary bags are allowed with a security search.
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No outside food or drink will be allowed into the fairgrounds for the event, but there will be ample opportunities to purchase a variety of snacks, meals, and drinks from our on-site food vendors.
As always, the fairground’s policies prevent patrons from bringing in weapons of any kind. (See more details on the property policies here.)
Patrons should not wear any offensive or gang-related clothing. No ski masks.
Exceptions and challenges will be answered at the discretion of fair management.
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There’s FREE admission for everyone at the Fourth of July at the Fairgrounds event!
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There’s FREE parking near the main entrance to the fairgrounds for the Fourth of July event.
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We are adding even more entertainment and fun for the 2026 Fourth of July at the Fairgrounds!
We have the talented Julia Neville coming to sing and teach line dancing, and Joe Rich will jump from a helicopter while carrying an American flag.
We’re hosting the 2nd annual hot dog eating competition (18 and up), and the 1st annual watermelon eating contest (ages 5-17).
There will be bounce castles and all-terrain train rides for the kids. Local artisans will be selling clothing, jewelry, toys, artwork, and much more.
We’re having a food truck rodeo, too, where you can purchase meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the event.
The Fair Board will have cotton candy, popcorn, and light up toys and accessories for sale.
We’re ending the night with a fireworks show that’s bigger and better than any we’ve had before!
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We will have a variety of food trucks open throughout the Fourth of July event.
See event details (above) for full line up of food trucks.
The Fair Board will also have freshly popped popcorn and freshly spun cotton candy for sale, as well.
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There will be on-site sign-ups the day of the event starting at 2 PM.
Look for the signs, or ask any fair board member for details.