Ribbon Cutting to Mark Grand Opening of the 165th Mississippi State Fair

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson invites the public to attend the ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially open the gates to the 2024 Mississippi State Fair Thursday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Gate 1 of the State Fairgrounds, located at the intersection of Amite and Jefferson Streets.

Commissioner Gipson will be joined by law enforcement officials, Mississippi 4-H state officers and North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) representatives. The Murrah High School Marching Band will perform, the Mississippi Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion Color Guard will present the colors and Allie Brown, Junior 4-H Idol from Jones County, will sing the national anthem. James Hopkins of Reset Jackson will lead in a prayer during the ceremony. Following the ribbon cutting, Commissioner Gipson and opening ceremony participants will parade down the Midway.

The 165th Mississippi State Fair will run through October 14. Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 14, Columbus Day. Find the complete schedule of fair events at www.msstatefair.com. For additional information and updates, follow the Mississippi State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Scheduled Activities & Events for Thursday, October 3, 2024
Thursday, October 3, is Mississippi Heroes Day at the State Fair. All police officers, first responders, firefighters, healthcare workers, medical professionals and active military will be given free admission. Identification will be required at the gate.

• 11:00 a.m. – Gates Open (Free admission until 1:00 p.m.)
• 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. – Mississippi State Fair Marketplace & Genuine MS® Store – Trade Mart
• 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. – Farm Bureau Petting Zoo – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – Tumbleweed Crossing – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – Agri-Puppets – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. – Pig Races – Mississippi Frontier Village
•  2:00 p.m. – Rides Open
•  2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – Zerbini Family Circus – Kid Zone
•  4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. – Biscuit Booth – Midway
•  6:00 p.m. – Miss Mississippi State Fair Pageant – Mississippi Coliseum – $10 admission
•  6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. – Live Music – Busch Light Pavilion
•  7:00 p.m. – Taste of Dixie National Rodeo – Mississippi Frontier Village
•  10:00 p.m. – Gates Close

Scheduled Activities & Events for Friday, October 4, 2024
Ride Specials: Ride Wristband Day for $30 from 8:00 p.m. to close.

• 8:00 a.m. – Goat Showmanship – Barn 7
• 15 minutes after Goat Showmanship - 4H/FFA Meat Goat Doe Show – Barn 7
• 8:00 a.m. – Junior Market Goat Show – Barn 7
• 15 minutes after Market Goat Show - Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship and Show – Barn 7
• 11:00 a.m. – Gates Open (Free admission until 1:00 p.m.)
• 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. – Mississippi State Fair Marketplace & Genuine MS® Store – Trade Mart
• 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. – Farm Bureau Petting Zoo – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 12:00 p.m. – Rides Open
• 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – Tumbleweed Crossing – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – Agri-Puppets – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. – Pig Races – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – Zerbini Family Circus – Kid Zone
• 4:00 p.m. – Miss Mississippi State Fair Talent Show – Mississippi Coliseum – $10 admission
• 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. – Biscuit Booth – Midway
• 7:00 p.m. – Taste of Dixie National Rodeo – Mississippi Frontier Village
• 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. – A Conway Tribute Show by Shayne Weems & the Slow Hand Band – Busch Light Pavilion
• 11:00 p.m. – Gates Close

Know Before You Go:
o   Gate admission is $10.00 per person, and parking is free. Children ages 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase admission tickets, concert tickets and ride wristbands online at www.msstatefair.com, or purchase admission and concert tickets in-person at the Coliseum Box Office.
o   Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 14, Columbus Day.
o   Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of 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.
o   When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several entry security points utilizing a metal detector.
o   All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12”x12”x6”.
o   No outside food or beverage allowed.
o   No marketing, soliciting, political or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations.
o   Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds.
o   No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives or laser pointers allowed.
o   Jefferson Street will be closed between Pearl Street and Amite Street. Greymont Street will be open for Fair traffic only.