Mid-South Fair carries on long tradition at Landers Center in Southaven

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The Mid-South Fair, one of the region’s oldest and most celebrated community traditions, is once again bringing rides, contests and entertainment to the Landers Center in Southaven.

The fair, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, opened its first gates in 1856 under the Shelby County Agricultural Society in Memphis. It was later renamed the Mid-South Fair in 1929, becoming a major showcase for agriculture, youth talent, and regional culture.

For decades, the fair was a staple at the Memphis Fairgrounds, where the now-closed Libertyland amusement park once operated. Attractions like the Zippin Pippin roller coaster, famously loved by Elvis Presley, became part of its lore. The event paused during World War II before returning in 1947 with new contests and exhibits. In 1953, the fair launched its popular Youth Talent Contest, a program that continues today.

When Memphis declined to renew its lease at the fairgrounds in 2008, organizers sought a new home. The following year, the Mid-South Fair opened at the Landers Center, where it has been held ever since.

Today, the fair features more than 50 rides, ground acts, food vendors, arts contests, and scholarships. The 2025 fair runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 5, offering family-oriented fun while preserving a legacy stretching back nearly 170 years.

Organizers say the Mid-South Fair remains true to its mission: providing safe entertainment while nurturing youth achievement. With deep ties to both history and the present-day Mid-South, the fair continues to connect communities from Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Learn more about the Mid-South Fair at its website: Mid-South Fair