Lowndes County Alabama Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair Festival
Each April, a pine thicket in Fort Deposit becomes a country fairground, complete with a rustic fort fence, a teepee, and more than a hundred exhibitors selling handmade work. The Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair is one of the oldest and largest arts festivals in the South, and for more than fifty years it has drawn thousands of visitors to a town of just over a thousand people.
Fort Deposit sits in Lowndes County in Alabama’s Black Belt, just off Interstate 65 between Montgomery and Mobile. The town was named for a supply fort built during the Creek War of 1813 and 1814, and it reportedly sits on the highest ground between Montgomery and New Orleans. That history gave the fair its name and its rustic, old-time country character.
The fair is a true community effort. Local citizens founded it to promote their small town and share their love of arts and crafts, and it is still run by the Fort Deposit Arts Council with the help of volunteers. Proceeds support community projects, and the whole town pitches in to make visitors feel welcome.
| Festival name | Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair |
| Location | Fort Deposit, Lowndes County, Alabama |
| Typical timing | Second week of April |
| Format | Two-day outdoor arts and crafts fair on six acres |
| Admission | Ticketed; reduced price for children |
| Organizers | Fort Deposit Arts Council |
| Signature features | Over 100 exhibitors, handmade crafts, demonstrations, awards |
About the Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair
The fair is held on six acres of outdoor space with adjacent parking, and it brings together more than a hundred exhibitors offering handmade arts and crafts. Ceramics, candles, jewelry, paintings, and textiles are made and sold on site, and visitors can watch craft demonstrations throughout the day. It is a fair in the old sense of the word: a place to browse, learn, and enjoy a spring afternoon outdoors.
Music and food are part of the experience, and there are activities for children as well. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the organizers pride themselves on the Southern hospitality that keeps exhibitors and visitors returning year after year. Because the fair is a fund-raiser, the money it raises goes back into community projects in and around Fort Deposit.
For a sense of how Lowndes County celebrates across the year, the Calico Fort fair pairs well with the Lowndes County Alabama Okra Festival, which brings a different kind of community gathering to the same county each August.
How the Fair Began and Grew
The fair began as a dream shared by a group of local citizens who wanted to promote their small town, draw visitors, and build an outstanding arts and crafts festival. They considered several themes before settling on Calico Fort, a nod to the town’s historical background, and a lifelong resident even wrote a poem called Calico Capers in anticipation of its success.
For the first show, a local citizen volunteered the use of a pine thicket on her property. Volunteers built a fence reminiscent of an old fort, added an Indian teepee and a set of rustic buildings for food concessions and exhibitors, and invited 155 exhibitors to take part. The first Calico Fort opened on April 8 and 9, 1972, and an estimated 5,000 visitors responded with enthusiasm.
- First held in April 1972 on a volunteer’s pine thicket
- Opened with 155 exhibitors and about 5,000 visitors
- Named for the town’s Creek War fort history
- Grew into one of the South’s largest arts and crafts fairs
- Remains a fund-raiser for community projects
Lowndes County’s Arts Tradition
The Calico Fort fair grew out of a broader effort to promote the arts in and around Fort Deposit. The Fort Deposit Arts and Activities group was formed in 1970 by the mayor and a group of interested citizens, and in its early years it sponsored events that drew large audiences for a town of only about 1,500 people. The fair was launched both to finance those activities and to promote arts and crafts more widely.
That tradition continues today. Fort Deposit is home to working artists and craftspeople, and the fair gives them a stage alongside exhibitors from across the region. By keeping the focus on handmade work, the fair connects a modern audience to the crafts that have long been part of Southern rural life.
What to Expect at the Fair
Arts and crafts
The heart of Calico Fort is its exhibitors. More than a hundred vendors set up across the grounds, offering everything from pottery and woodwork to jewelry, candles, and textiles. Many demonstrate their craft as they sell, so visitors can watch a piece take shape. Each year an independent judge reviews the exhibitors and the council awards prizes to the top entries.
Music, food, and family fun
Musical performances run through the weekend, and food vendors serve classic fair fare from rustic concession buildings. Children find plenty to do, and the fair’s country atmosphere makes it an easy outing for families. The old-time fair touches, from the fort fence to the teepee, give the event a character that larger commercial shows lack.
Awards for exhibitors
Each year the Fort Deposit Arts Council gives out a total of $2,500 in awards to exhibitors judged to be among the top seven. The awards, made possible by a grant from the Lowndes County Commission, give the fair a competitive edge and encourage high-quality work. For many exhibitors, a Calico Fort award is a meaningful recognition of their craft.
Planning Your Visit
Getting to Fort Deposit
Fort Deposit sits just off Interstate 65 in Lowndes County, roughly midway between Montgomery and Mobile. The town is easy to reach by car, and the fair site has adjacent parking. Signs near the interstate exit are updated each fall to help visitors plan for the next show.
Where to stay
Lodging is limited in Fort Deposit, so many visitors stay in Montgomery and drive down for the day. Montgomery offers a full range of hotels and restaurants, and the drive to Fort Deposit takes about forty minutes. Camping and RV options can be found in the surrounding region.
Tickets and logistics
The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for ages 2 to 18. Pets are not allowed inside the fort, but the local Humane Society offers sitting service for a donation. Wear comfortable shoes, since the grounds cover six acres.
A Weekend at the Fair
Two days give visitors time to see everything without rushing. Saturday is the longer day, running until 5 p.m., and it draws the biggest crowds. Sunday closes a little earlier but is often calmer, which suits anyone who wants a quieter browse through the exhibitor booths.
Most visitors start with a walk through the crafts, pause for a demonstration or a musical set, and pick up food from the concession buildings. Families often spend time at the children’s activities before circling back to the booths they liked best.
Because the fair is held on the second weekend of April, the weather is usually mild and the surrounding countryside is green. Many visitors combine the fair with a stop at a nearby pecan shop or a drive through the Black Belt on the way home.
How It Compares to Nearby Events
Lowndes County keeps a busy festival calendar, and each event has its own focus. The table below places Calico Fort alongside a few others in the area.
| Festival | Focus | Typical season |
| Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair | Handmade arts and crafts | April |
| Okra Festival | Okra, folk art, and live music | August |
| Black Belt Juneteenth Festival | Juneteenth commemoration and culture | June |
| Orrville Festival | Community festival in Orrville | Fall |
A Festival Checklist
- Arrive early on Saturday for the best parking and shortest lines
- Bring cash for crafts and food vendors
- Leave pets at home; the fair does not allow them inside
- Wear comfortable shoes for the six-acre grounds
- Stop by the demonstrations to see crafts made on site
Beyond the Fair
Fort Deposit and the surrounding county reward a longer visit. The town is home to a well-known pecan company whose headquarters is a popular stop for travelers, and its downtown holds historic buildings and churches worth a look. The county seat of Hayneville, a short drive away, sits on the Selma to Montgomery March National Historic Trail.
Nearby Montgomery adds museums and a deep civil rights legacy, and the Alabama River country to the west offers rural scenery and small-town stops. For visitors who come for the crafts, the region’s history and landscape make the trip worthwhile beyond the fairgrounds.
Why the Fair Matters
Calico Fort matters because it has lasted. For more than fifty years, a small town has put on one of the South’s largest arts and crafts fairs, and it has done so through volunteer effort and community pride. That longevity is rare, and it speaks to the care the organizers and residents put into the event.
The fair also keeps handmade work in front of a wide audience. By giving artists and craftspeople a place to sell and demonstrate their skills, it sustains a tradition of making things by hand and passes that tradition on to each new generation of visitors.
Festival Area Map
The Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair is held in Fort Deposit, Lowndes County, Alabama, just off Interstate 65 between Montgomery and Mobile, in the heart of the Black Belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Calico Fort fair held?
It is held during the second week of April each year, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The exact dates are announced by the organizers ahead of the fair.
Where is the fair located?
It takes place at the Calico Fort grounds in Fort Deposit, Lowndes County, Alabama, just off Interstate 65 between Montgomery and Mobile. The site covers six acres and has adjacent parking.
How much is admission?
Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for ages 2 to 18. The fair is a fund-raiser, and proceeds benefit community projects in and around Fort Deposit.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed inside the fort. The local Humane Society is present at the fair to provide sitting service for a donation, so visitors with pets have an option.
What can I buy at the fair?
More than a hundred exhibitors sell handmade arts and crafts, including pottery, jewelry, candles, woodwork, textiles, and paintings. Many vendors demonstrate their craft on site, and food vendors serve classic fair fare throughout the grounds.
Is the fair good for children?
Yes. The fair includes children’s activities, and the country atmosphere makes it a comfortable outing for families. Reduced admission is available for ages 2 to 18, and there is plenty of space to explore.
What to Expect From the Next Calico Fort Fair
The fair has been held every year since 1972 and continues to draw more than a hundred exhibitors and thousands of visitors. Organizers announce each year’s dates in advance, and a sign near the interstate exit is updated each fall.
How often is the Calico Fort fair held?
It is held annually, once each spring, during the second week of April.
When is the next Calico Fort fair?
The next edition is expected the following April, following the pattern of previous years. The exact dates are announced by the Fort Deposit Arts Council ahead of the fair.
Will the fair change?
The fair has kept its old-time country character and its focus on handmade work for decades. Details can shift slightly from year to year, so check with the organizers for the current schedule and exhibitor list.
Last updated: October 2026
The Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair shows what a small town can build when its residents work together. From a pine thicket in 1972 to one of the South’s largest arts fairs, it has stayed true to its handmade roots and its welcoming spirit. For anyone who loves crafts, demonstrations, and a spring day outdoors, it is an April weekend worth planning around.
