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JACKSON, Miss. — Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson will officially open the gates to the 160th Mississippi State Fair with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, at Gate 1 located at the intersection of Jefferson and Amite Streets.
Mississippi Fair Commission Executive Director Steve Hutton and Danny Huston with North American Midway Entertainment will join Commissioner Gipson in kicking off the State Fair. Callaway High School JROTC will present the colors and the Morton High School Marching Band will perform. Following the ribbon cutting, Commissioner Gipson will make his way down the Midway to the Biscuit Booth where he will personally greet fairgoers each day of the fair from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s 160th Mississippi State Fair. The state fair is a tradition for many families, and this year’s fair provides a line-up of activities that is sure to be fun for all ages. We are proud of the expanded events offered this year like the ice skating rink and the horse and mule pull. In keeping with tradition, the employees of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will be serving warm, homemade biscuits at the Biscuit Booth on the Midway,” said Commissioner Gipson.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS TO NOTE:
- A new addition to this year’s fair is the Ice Dome, an indoor ice rink that features 8,000 square feet of ice and 500 pairs of skates inside the Mississippi Coliseum. Fairgoers can skate all day for just $10. A special area for concessions and spectators will be provided as well.
- Musical acts performing on the Budweiser Stage located on the Midway include Frank Foster, Dear Silas, Newscast, Seth Power Music, Vitamin Cea, Pat Brown, Abdul Rasheed, the Central MS Blues Society, Bar-Kays, Michael Ray and Blackberry Smoke. Thirty additional acts perform on the Trustmark Stage located on the Midway. All musical entertainment is free with regular fair admission.
- A new event this year, the Ferris Wheel Run Against Traffic, includes a 5K run, 5K walk and a kids fun run. The race will begin and end at Gate 1 on Saturday, October 5. To register, visit www.raceroster.com.
- The Great Pumpkin Search, a largest pumpkin contest, will be held on Saturday, October 5. Participants vying for the heaviest Mississippi-grown pumpkin can drop off their pumpkins at the Biscuit Booth on the Midway from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Immediately following, Commissioner Andy Gipson will announce the winner.
- Commissioner Andy Gipson will also announce the winners of the Commissioner’s Wild Hog Challenge on Saturday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. on the Trustmark Stage.
- Additionally, Commissioner Andy Gipson is bringing back the Horse and Mule Pull to this year’s fair, as well as holding the first-ever Pony Pull. The Horse Pull will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, with the Mule Pull immediately following. The Pony Pull will begin at 2:00 p.m.
- The MS Beef Celebrity Cook-off will be Tuesday, October 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the Trustmark Hospitality Tent next to the Biscuit Booth.
- Senior American Day will be held on Wednesday, October 9. The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board will provide a nutritious tasting of quiche for a snack. Flu and pneumonia shots, if available, will be administered by Walmart inside the tent.
- Daily activities will take place in the Trade Mart, Livestock Barns, Kirk Fordice Equine Center and all along the 100 acres of the Mississippi Fairgrounds Complex. Children, and adults alike, will enjoy the Farm Bureau Petting Zoo Area and Pig Races, the 4-H and FFA Livestock Shows and will be wowed by the circus performers of the Great American Thrill Show located at the Kid Zone. Fetch-N-Fish will perform at the Mississippi Trade Mart, and dozens of vendors and exhibits will be located in the Mississippi Trade Mart including arts & crafts competition, food preservation, floral exhibits and an antique car show.
Those traveling around the State Fairgrounds in downtown Jackson should be aware of changes in the traffic pattern. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, Amite Street will be closed from North Street to Jefferson Street and will remain closed through the conclusion of the Fair on Monday, October 14. As has been the case in recent years, Jefferson Street will be reduced from four to two lanes at the Fairgrounds.
The Mississippi State Fair runs Wednesday, October 2, through Monday, October 14, with a gate admission price of $5.00 per person. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge. Enjoy free admission weekdays 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with the exception of October 14.
For additional information, download the Mississippi State Fair mobile app, or visit www.MsStateFair.com.