Over the years the following concerts have been held at the grandstand: • Conway Twitty • Loretta Lynn • George Jones • Merle Haggard • Johnny Cash • Lorrie Morgan • Little Big Town • Britney Spears • Big Time Rush • Victoria Justice • Tammy Wynette • Travis Tritt At the 2019 State Fair Alabama was scheduled to perform but Randy Owen became ill. Jamey Johnson filled in for Alabama.

The 2006 fair generated 174,438 paid admissions, which was the highest number since 2002; that year, security screens were set up at the gates.

[3] Prior to the completion of Interstate 64 in 1988 the fairground was difficult to access from most of the state and the event was much more local in nature.

[4] Although the Fair does not release its financial statements to the public, managers claim that it operates on a "small margin."

[5] The Fair receives no appropriation from the state, supporting itself from admissions, fees charged to vendors, and rental of the fairgrounds to other groups.