Annie Oakley Festival
July 24-26, 2026 • Darke County Fairgrounds • Greenville, Ohio
FRIDAY, JULY 24
12pm-8pm
SATURDAY, JULY 25
11am-8pm
SUNDAY, JULY 26
10am-5pm
A family-friendly festival featuring live entertainment including western arts, cowboy mounted shooting, musical performances and much more.
As always, we also have a variety of food trucks and craft vendors.
It's all in honor of Darke County's most famous daughter!
Welcome to the 2026 Annie Oakley Festival
The Annie Oakley Committee members are so excited about having our 2026 Annie Oakley Festival. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the festival this year. We have a lot of activities planned, and hope that you will join us for this wonderful festival, and honor our very own Miss Annie Oakley.
Join us as we celebrate Darke County's Famous Daughter
~JoEllen Melling
President of the Annie Oakley Festival Committee
Miss Annie Oakley 2024
Lauren Wright
My experience as Annie Oakley has been indescribable. I have competed in this competition since I was 14 years old, and to spend the last year living out a childhood promise to myself was amazing. Starting at the Annie Oakley Festival last year little girls would run up to me and say how much they wanted to grow up to be like me, and are so excited to get a picture with me all dressed up. Adults look up at you at parades and festivals, and tell you stories that they’ve heard about Annie or share historical places to visit. I have also met an author who just published her second book on Annie’s life and has spent her life sharing Annie’s story with the world and tracking down her family records. The amounts of incredible people you meet from all across the United States is amazing. It has been an honor to be part of this opportunity to raise awareness about Annie Oakley and striving to hit our mark.
Entertainment & Events
A marksmanship contest open to young ladies ages 12-19. The winner will receive a cash prize and become the face of the festival until the next year!
Each contestant will shoot the same BB gun, provided by the Festival Committee, starting from a distance of 25 feet and increasing by 5 feet each round.
To enter, please print a copy of the entry form and send it to us.
For the rules, please visit the Contest Page.
Miss Annie Oakley
The Annie Oakley Center Foundation is pleased to announce its “Annie’s Memorial Shoot” to be held on Friday — in conjunction with this year’s Annie Oakley Festival. “Classic Annie” and “Classic Frank” shooting competitions are open to women and men who are 19 years or older. Each participant will have the opportunity to shoot like Annie Oakley or her marksman husband, Frank Butler. Competitors will be provided with a BB gun, BBs, target balloons, and practice time. First prize winners receive $50 and second prize is $25.
More Information
Annie's Memorial Shoot
Cowboy mounted shooting is a re-enactment of the old west 1880’s. It is the nation’s fastest growing equestrian sport. Competitors wearing two single action .45 caliber revolvers race against the clock through a variety of course patterns while firing at balloon targets.
Demonstrations:
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Friday – 6:00 PM (subject to change)
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Saturday – 12:00 PM (subject to change)
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Sunday – 10:00 AM (subject to change)
Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association
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Friday — July 25, 2025
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Jeff Hittle – 2:00 – 4:00 pm
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Jared Walker Band – 5:00 – 7:00 pm
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Saturday – July 26, 2025
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Spittin’ Image – 12:00 – 2:00 pm
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Adam Liette – 3:00 – 4:30 pm
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Caitlin Davis Band – 6:00 – 8:00 pm
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Sunday – July 27, 2025
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Mandy (Neff) Rismiller – 1:00 – 3:00 pm
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AO Festival Musical Entertainment
Registration will be completed at the Annie Oakley Festival prior to the Kiddie Tractor Pull starting. Forms will be available at the Trailer for the Kiddie Tractor Pulls.
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Sign Up – 2:00 PM
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Pull Time – 3:00 PM
For more info, please visit the Contest Page.
Kiddie Tractor Pull
Dog races open all small dogs. Heats will be organized as needed depending on how many dogs are entered.
There's also a costume contest and an owner/pet look-alike contest; these are open to all breeds!
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Sign Up – 12:00 PM
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Costume Contest (any breed) – 12:30 PM
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Race time to follow Costume Contest conclusion
For the rules and entry form, please visit the Contest Page.
Small Dog Races
Schedule
Times and details may change—check back for the latest updates
COME AND HELP US CELEBRATE OUR 62nd YEAR FOR THE ANNIE OAKLEY FESTIVAL
Come see the many vendors and concessionaires. Bring your blanket and chairs, or sit on the grass and watch the shows and competitions, while spending time with family at the Annie Oakley Festival, located at the Darke County Fairgrounds, Sweitzer St, Greenville, OH 45331
Visit
The 2026 Annie Oakley Festival will be held on July 24, 25 and 26th, at the south end of the Darke County Fairgrounds.
Use Fairgrounds Gate 5, off Fort Jefferson Avenue, and you'll be directed to the parking area.
Parking
ANNIE OAKLEY COMMITTEE
2025
Angie Gunckle, Jerry Gunckle, Krisney Gwin, Christy Gulley,
JoEllen Melling, Angela Hart, Shelley Soward, Dennis Soward
MEMBERS NOT PRESENT FOR PICTURE:
Richard Robinson, Kristina Robinson, Harry Ballangee, Carol Green, Dixie Aldora, Alex Soward, Daniel Soward, and Shawn Soward
We welcome anyone to join our organization.
We meet at 6:30 pm, on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, except
July (we meet on the first Wednesday), and we do not meet in December.
We meet out at the Shawnee Prairie Nature Center
4267 OH-502
Greenville, OH 45331
Frequently Asked Questions
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