Fairgrounds get ready for Mississippi State Fair

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and the Mississippi State Fairgrounds invite the public to experience new attractions at the 164th Mississippi State Fair and remind fairgoers of several items to “Know Before You Go.” The 2023 Mississippi State Fair takes place Oct. 5-15 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. 

“The Mississippi State Fair is a time-honored tradition that showcases all the best livestock exhibitions, local artists and attractions, exciting shows and southern-style foods that our state has to offer,” said Gipson. “Under the leadership of Mississippi State Fairgrounds Director Michael Lasseter, our fairgrounds staff has worked tirelessly to ensure the 164th State Fair will be bigger, better and safer than ever.”

Fairgoers can continue to expect the best of North American Midway Entertainment’s carnival rides and games, fair foods, pig races, the Zerbini Family Circus, live entertainment, livestock shows, an antique car show and much more. The Ag Expo, featuring the Genuine MS® Store and FARMtastic learning center, will be located inside the Trade Mart.

The Mississippi State Fair Beauty Pageant will take place Friday, Oct. 6, at 4:00 p.m., and the Mississippi State Fair Talent Show will be Saturday, Oct. 7, at 2:00 p.m., both inside the Coliseum. The Tri-State Rodeo will be held inside the Kirk Fordice Equine Center Oct. 7-8. Senior American Day, which features live entertainment, muffins, coffee, door prizes, vendors and a health fair, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 9:00 a.m. Returning to the Kirk Fordice Equine Center will be the Horse, Mule and Pony Pull on Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14

Four nationally recognized artists will perform inside the Mississippi Coliseum: Josh Turner, ERNEST, the Commodores and Christian artist Jeremy Camp. Opening acts for these headliners include up-and-coming artists, and Mississippi natives, Todd Tilghman, Walker Wilson, Four Washington and Kayla Berry. A special ‘Cupid’s Line Dance Xperience’ will be held on Sunday, Oct. 8. The comedy show, ‘Funny Friday at the Fair,’ featuring Mississippi native Rita Brent, JJ Williamson, Kerwin Claiborne, Marvin Hunter and DJ Koolaid, will take place on Friday, Oct. 13. Local artists and bands will perform on the Main Stage, near the Midway, throughout the duration of the fair. All major concert and entertainment tickets purchased in advance include same-day general admission to the fairgrounds.

In addition to all the usual fan-favorite attractions, this year’s State Fair will feature an all-new ‘Taste of the Dixie National Rodeo’ exhibition and American Idol® Auditions. Several Taste of Dixie National Rodeo shows will run throughout the duration of the State Fair and will include bull riding, calf scrambles, bucking broncs, live entertainment and rodeo clowns. Taste of Dixie National Rodeo shows will start at 6:30 p.m. every weekday and at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Special guest, Forrie J. Smith, will also make an appearance at the Taste of Dixie National Rodeo to meet and greet fans Oct. 7-8, at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

For the first time ever, the Mississippi State Fair will host a competition to recruit talent for the hit singing show, American Idol®, inside the Mississippi Coliseum. The semi-finals competition between the top 40 auditions will be held on Monday, Oct. 9, at 6:00 p.m. and the top 20 contestants will then advance to the finals on Tuesday, Oct. 10, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The final five artists chosen through this process will win a VIP Executive Producer Audition. Both singing competitions will be open to the public with fair admission and a ticket, which will be available for purchase at the Coliseum Box Office.

“For 11 days, the Mississippi State Fairgrounds will become a hub for all kinds of shows, concerts, food, rides, games and of course, our famous buttermilk biscuits, provided by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce,” continued Gipson. “The fairgrounds’ safe and family-friendly environment will offer an array of activities that everyone will enjoy, and I hope to see you and your family there.”

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• The 2023 Mississippi State Fair opens at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5. The ribbon cutting will be held at Gate 1 at the corner of Jefferson Street and Amite Street. The Biscuit Booth will be open early for those who attend the ribbon cutting.
• Gate admission is $5.00 per person, and parking is $5.00 per car. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets at the Coliseum Box Office until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5.
• All concert tickets purchased in advance include same-day general admission to the fairgrounds. Concert and entertainment tickets can be purchased in advance at www.ticketmaster.com and the Coliseum Box Office.
• Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, Oct. 9, Columbus Day.
• Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of eighteen (18) seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by a legal adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age to be admitted after 9:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring identification.
• When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several entry security points utilizing a metal detector.
• All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12”x12”x6”.
• No outside food or beverage allowed.
• No marketing, soliciting, political, or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations.
• Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.
• No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives, or laser pointers allowed.

Find the complete schedule of fair events at www.msstatefair.com. For additional information, visit www.mississippifairgrounds.com, call the Coliseum Box Office at 601-961-4000 and follow the Mississippi State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.