The Durham Fair logo

Volunteer for the 2026 Durham Fair

The Durham Fair is ALWAYS looking for great volunteers and new committee members to join our organization. We are 100% volunteer run and need your help and participation to keep the Durham Fair tradition strong for many years to come.

Durham Fair volunteers sitting together.

The 2026 Durham Fair needs your help in the following areas:

To volunteer, simply reach out to a contact provided below. You may also call the Durham Fair phone number and leave a message with your area of interest if it isn’t listed below: 860-349-9495 then press 2 and leave a voicemail, or email [email protected].

REMINDER: Volunteers get free parking and admission to the fair for that day. Committee members get free admission and free parking for the whole fair weekend. Parking will be at the high school or at one of our lots.

Advanced Ticket Sales

Help sell tickets on grounds the week before the fair to exhibitors, students, etc.

Art Exhibits

Help set up, take in exhibits, judge, and monitor displays.

Baking Exhibits

Help set up, take in exhibits, judge, and monitor displays.

Beer, Wine & Cider Tent

Christmas Trees & Wreaths

Help set up, take in exhibits, and monitor display.

Craft Vendors & Indoor Commercial

Help set up and monitor the indoor and/or crafts vendors.

Discovery Education Exhibit Area

Help set up displays and demonstrations, monitor during the Fair.

Entertainment

Exhibit Management

Help with computer entry of exhibits, etc. before and during the Fair.

Fruits Exhibits

Help set up, take in exhibits, judge, and monitor displays.

Gates Cashiers, Gates Scanners, Gates Hand Stampers

Gates Managers

Oversee the gate cashiers.

Information Booths

You should be familiar with the fair.

International Food & Stage

Livestock Exhibits

Maintenance

Buildings, grounds, equipment, fencing, building exhibit areas, picnic tables, etc. All year, before, during, and after the fair.

Needlework Exhibits

Help set up, take in exhibits, judge, and monitor displays.

On-Grounds Courtesy Shuttle Cart Drivers

Before, during, and at the end of the fair. Drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Outdoor Commercial

Help set up and monitor all outdoor vendors.

Photography Committee

Help take in entries and assist during and at the end of the fair.

Public Safety

Parking, security, busing, lighting, road signs, etc.

Signs

Help make signs, banners, etc. before and/or during the fair.

Souvenirs

Vegetables Exhibits

Help set up, take in exhibits, judge, and monitor displays.

Youth Exhibits

Before, during, and at the end of the fair.

Volunteering for the Fair

Hear about volunteering, exhibit preparation, responsibilities and working together from Diane Coe, former Superintendent of Exhibit Management.

Below is a list of all departments and positions.

Administrative Services

  • IT Services
  • Office Services/Purchasing
  • Printing/Buyer
  • Ribbons & Trophies
  • Signs

Education

  • Exhibits/Discovery Center
  • Farm Museum
  • Historian
  • Motorized Events

Entertainment

  • Center Stage
  • Green Stage
  • Hospitality
  • Kid’s Place
  • Sound Systems
  • Staging
  • Talent Show

Livestock Exhibits

  • Animal Education
  • Battle of the Barns
  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Fiber
  • Goats
  • Livestock Exhibit Judges
  • Llamas
  • Poultry
  • Pull Animals
  • Rabbits
  • Sheep
  • Swine

Maintenance

  • Buildings
  • Caretaker
  • Equipment
  • Grounds
  • Grounds Beautification
  • Grounds Improvement
  • Inventory Control
  • Property Management
  • Recycling

Marketing

  • Advertising
  • Community Relations
  • Exhibit Management
  • Information Booth
  • Schedule/Map
  • Content Coordination
  • Website
  • Sponsors

Personal Skills Exhibits

  • Art
  • Baking
  • Ballot Competitions
  • Canning
  • Crafts & Collections
  • Exhibit Judge
  • Needlework
  • Photography
  • Youth

Plant Science Exhibits

  • Christmas Trees & Wreaths
  • Exhibit Judge
  • Flowers
  • Fruits
  • Garden of the Giants
  • Vegetables

Public Safety

  • Communications
  • Lighting & Parking
  • Security
  • Shuttle Bus Transportation
  • Traffic Control

Revenue

  • Craft Show Rentals
  • Gates
  • Inside Commercial Rentals
  • Midway
  • Off-Season Facility Rentals
  • Off-Season Storage Rentals
  • Outdoor Commercial Rentals
  • Soda Sales
  • Souvenir Sales

Carnival game booth with stuffed prizes and a Ferris wheel
Man operating vintage farm equipment
Vintage farm tools and milk bottles displayed at an exhibit
Three women selling donuts at a food stand
Llama eating hay