Groundbreaking held for Larry Walker Arena at Georgia National Fairgrounds

A new livestock arena named after former Georgia Rep. Larry Walker is coming to the Georgia National Fairgrounds, with a projected opening in 2026.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It was an emotional day in Perry as family, friends and the agriculture community gathered for the groundbreaking of the new Larry Walker Arena.

“I couldn’t help it… I cried,” said Larry Walker, reflecting on the emotions he experienced when learning the arena would be named after him.

Foster Rhodes, Chairman of the Georgia National Fairgrounds Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, spoke about how the arena is part of a vision that began in the 1980s.

Walker, a member of the Georgia House of Representatives at that time, saw a need for better facilities for Georgia’s agricultural youth to showcase their livestock projects, leading to the establishment of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and AgriCenter.

“This experience could not have been better,” Walker said. “I really think the best is yet to come.”

He mentioned the positive influence the facility would have on the youth of Georgia.

Foster said the fairgrounds have had a big economic impact not just for the local community, but for the entire state.

“We offer a million visitors here annually,” he said. “The economic impact in Georgia is about $133 million a year.”

He went on to say that during the 11-day fair each year, they take in about $900,000 in sales tax that goes back to the state of Georgia.

Larry Walker Arena is set to open in July 2026.