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STATE FAIRGROUNDS, Miss. – As part of the ongoing, nationwide America250 celebrations, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and the Mississippi State Fairgrounds released a video recapping the 2025 Great American Mississippi State Fair that was held in the capital city in October.
“A big part of my job is promoting Mississippi,” said Commissioner Gipson. “I love sharing all the good things of Mississippi and our People. As a descendant of American Patriots who fought in our Revolutionary War 250 years ago, today I am especially proud to share our Mississippi State Fair America250 promotional video prepared by our great team. This video will also be shared with the White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Great American State Fair initiative.”
To view the video in its entirety, visit https://youtu.be/D5WBwuV1S-A.
“We were very intentional in shaping our State Fair as a unifying celebration of community, heritage and national pride, ensuring Mississippi played a meaningful role in honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. Across the fairgrounds, we infused patriotic spirit into traditional attractions and our agency collaborated with Governor Tate Reeves and his office, as well as several other historic, state institutions on this monumental project,” said Gipson.
The Mississippi State Fairgrounds incorporated the spirit of America through an array of new activities, attractions and shows at this year’s State Fair. The opening ceremony welcomed a wide range of distinguished guests, including Mississippi Army National Guard Adjutant General Bobby M. Ginn and several military personnel; Chief Cyrus Ben of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Choctaw Princess Lexi Rodriguez; Miss Mississippi Anna Leah Jolly; Miss Rodeo Mississippi Sierra Greene; Jackson Mayor John Horhn; leaders with both the Mississippi State Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution; Mississippi 4-H and FFA students; and many other city and state officials representing the melting pot that is Mississippi and the United States.
First Responder Fridays and Military Mondays provided free admission for firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical professionals, active-duty service members and veterans on their corresponding days. The first-ever Disability-Friendly Day created an inclusive experience for individuals impacted by disabilities, and our newly designated Liberty Landing area showcased patriotic marching band competitions and live performances. The annual Senior American Day event, attended by thousands of visitors, featured patriotic musical and theatrical productions by local church groups.
One of the most anticipated additions was the Great American Parade, featuring marching bands, military units, wagon trains and patriotic floats that filled the streets surrounding the fairgrounds. The last evening, Lee Greenwood delivered a memorable performance of “God Bless the USA” and other American classics, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Patriot Village served as a hub of all-American fun with daily rodeo competitions, pig races, family-friendly shows, and a petting zoo. We also introduced a full suite of patriotic contests, complete with themed awards for Most Patriotic marching bands, indoor and outdoor vendors, parade floats, and livestock stalls.
“But perhaps the most meaningful addition to the 2025 Great American Mississippi State Fair was the expanded effort to give back to Mississippi’s military veterans. With more than 200,000 veterans calling our state home, we were proud to offer fairgoers a new opportunity to directly contribute toward supporting those who have served and now face urgent needs,” continued Gipson.
For the first time, fair attendees were able to make donations dedicated to assisting veterans in crisis. To ensure these contributions made an immediate and tangible impact, the State Fairgrounds partnered with 5th Squad, a nonprofit combat veterans organization founded in 2018 by four Mississippi Army combat veterans. Their mission to provide rapid, life-sustaining financial assistance to qualifying veterans during moments of crisis aligned perfectly with the goal of honoring and supporting those who fought for our freedom.
“We hope that you sensed and shared the patriotism that was on display at our 2025 Mississippi State Fair celebration. And if you do, you won’t want to miss the 2026 America250 Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, February 13-21!” said Gipson.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the 2026 Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.dixienational.org. The Mississippi State Fairgrounds is a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, hosting events year-round and seeing over a million visitors annually. Learn more about the Fairgrounds at www.mississippifairgrounds.com and follow the Mississippi State Fairgrounds on Facebook, Instagram and X.
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