30 Sep 2024 Plan a trip to the Arkansas State Fair
LITTLE ROCK — The 84th Arkansas State Fair is back Friday, October 11th, through Sunday, October 20th. Fairgoers are invited to enjoy a variety of concerts, delicious food, livestock competitions, thrilling carnival rides, and unique attractions. The Arkansas State Fair offers a variety of daily specials to ensure that everyone has a great time for great prices.
“This year’s State Fair will be one for the ages,” proclaims Tiffany Wilkerson, State Fair President and General Manager. “We have set all-time attendance records the past three years and look forward to continuing that upward trend.”
Wilkerson continued, “The addition of our youth curfew last year was extremely well received and will be implemented again this year to increase the customer experience for all fairgoers.”
“This year’s Bank OZK Concert Series brings even more excitement to this year’s fair.” said Wilkerson. “Bringing concerts back to Barton Coliseum is another historic change to our quest to bring the best to our customers. The concert series will feature seven national acts during the first three nights in Barton!”
TICKET INFORMATION AND PROMOTIONS
The Arkansas State Fair opens daily at 11 a.m.
Admission and Parking Pricing:
Adults: Advance Price ($8) / Gate Price ($12)
Seniors (Age 60+): Advance Price ($4) / Gate Price ($6)
Children (Age 6-12): Advance Price ($4) / Gate Price ($6)
Parking: $10 / Premium Parking $20
RIDES:
The Arkansas State Fair is excited to announce a new ride for this year’s event, offering a range of experiences for all fairgoers. The Outlaw Roller Coaster brings high-speed thrills, while the Flying Elephants provide a family-friendly aerial adventure. The classic Tea Cups offer a nostalgic spin, and the X-Drive adds a modern twist with its dynamic movement. These additions ensure there’s something new for everyone to enjoy at this year’s fair. A full list of this year’s carnival rides can be found on the State Fair’s website.
DAILY PROMOTIONS:
The Arkansas State Fair will once again feature special promotions each day of the event, allowing families to save on admission, rides, parking, or a combination of the three.
ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP
The fair continues to offer a wonderful lineup of concerts for patrons of all ages. All concerts will start at 7 p.m. at the Barton Coliseum; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available now at the Fairgrounds Box Office or online at ArkansasStateFair.com. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50 and include gate admission to the fair. Secure your tickets early for the best seats in the house and enjoy a night of spectacular performances and fair fun.
THE BANK OZK CONCERT SERIES LINEUP:
Friday, October 11th: Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Quiet Riot, & Vixen
Forming RATT in 1982, Stephen Pearcy led the band to massive success with multi-platinum albums like “Out of the Cellar” (1984). Known for hits like “Round and Round,” RATT sold over 20 million records worldwide and played countless shows. Pearcy also explored solo projects, including his debut album “Social Intercourse” (2002), and acting, with a notable role in the cult film “Camp Utopia”.
Saturday, October 12th: Dru Hill & Ginuwine
Over the past 25+ years, Dru Hill has sold over 40 million records globally, topped the Billboard charts multiple times, and received numerous awards, including the Urban Music Icon Award from Black Music Honors. Their dynamic performances and timeless music have solidified their status as one of the greatest R&B groups of all time.
Sunday, October 13th Chase Rice & Ella Langley
Chase Rice has sold over 2.4 million albums and amassed more than 2.5 billion streams, making him a prominent figure in Nashville and beyond. Known for his high-energy concerts and passionate fanbase, Rice recently released his critically acclaimed album “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell”, crafted in his Tennessee home studio.
OUTDOOR STAGES:
FUN ZONE STAGE SCHEDULE:
EVERYDAY Noon, 2:00 PM- 4:30 PM Tanzanite African Acrobats
Friday, October 11 3:00 PM Arkansas State Fair Talent Showdown
Monday, October 14 7:00 PM Jettway Performance Group
Wednesday, October 16 7:00 PM DJ Deja Blu
Thursday, October 17 7:00 PM Karaoke Khaos
Friday, October 18 7:00 PM Whistlin’ Dixie
Saturday, October 19 7:00 PM The Rocktown Sparks
BUD LIGHT PAVILION:
The Bud Light Pavilion will be fairgoers Football and Baseball TV Headquarters featuring live sports programming throughout the Fair.
HIGHLAND DAIRY FUN ZONE:
The Arkansas State Fair is pleased to announce three featured events in this year’s Hiland Fun Zone. Fairgoers can enjoy the Kunze All American High Dive Show, showcasing daring divers performing impressive stunts from breathtaking heights. The Tanzanite African Acrobats will captivate audiences with a display of skillful acrobatics and high-energy performances. Additionally, the Great American Pig Races will offer a lighthearted and entertaining race that is sure to delight visitors of all ages.
LIVESTOCK COMPETITION/EXHIBITS:
Exhibitors from across Arkansas will bring their prize animals to compete in the hopes of winning the coveted blue ribbon and Grand Champion rosette. Youth work all year to raise and groom their animals.
Competition this year will be held for cattle, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, and poultry. The full schedule of judging by category is available at the fair website. The annual Sale of Champions will be held Friday, October 18th at 11:30 A.M. in Barton Coliseum. The event raises money in a mock auction for the top competitors across various species.
Again this year, fairgoers can get up close and personal with a variety of animals at the petting zoo, presented by Arkansas 4-H chapters. Entry is free with gate admission.
CREATIVE ARTS COMPETITIONS:
See the very best Arkansas has to offer across a wide range of hobby and homemaking categories including cooking and baking competitions, art and photography, needlework and more.
Special Contests and Demonstrations are listed below; some of the daily activities are drop-in and require no advance entry or qualification. Check them out and plan to attend and participate; you might walk away with a prize.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Adult Open Bake Competition: 10 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. Judging at 10:45
Arkansas Clogging: 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Arkansas Clogging: 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 14, 2024
Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest – APPLE: 11 a.m. – 11:15, judging at 11:30 a.m.
Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest – SWEET POTATO: 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m., judging at 2:15 p.m.
UA Pulaski Tech Demos: 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Hiland Dairy Cooking Contest: 11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., judging at 11:30 a.m.
Petit Jean Meats Cooking Contest: 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., judging at 2:45 p.m.
UA Pulaski Tech Demo: 3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Arkansas State Fair Pie Contest: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., judging at 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Chili Cook Off: 11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., judging at 11:30 a.m.
Arkansas Cattlemen’s Roast Competition: 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., judging at 11:45 a.m.
Friday, October 18, 2024
People’s Choice Chili Contest: 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., judging 2p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Youth Baking Competition: 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., judging at 10:45 p.m.
Youth Pumpkin Painting: 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., judging at 4:30 p.m.
Times are scheduled, judges start time subject to change.
PAGEANTS AND TALENT COMPETITIONS
After qualifying through at the county level, Junior and Senior talent competitors, Miss Arkansas State Fair, and Jr. Miss Arkansas State Fair, represent their hometowns with pride at the State Fair competitions. Contestants compete for the right to advance to the finals. Ms. Arkansas State Fair and Sr. Ms. Arkansas State Fair do not have a regional step but advance directly to the finals of their respective divisions.
In addition, a number of youth pageants and talent competitions are held for younger competitors, giving them their start on stage and a moment in the spotlight.
Miss Fair and Jr. Miss Fair Pageant winners receive a bevy of prizes, including thousands in college scholarships, and, together with the Ms. Fair and Sr. Ms. Fair winners, spend the year making appearances around the state. Talent Grand Champion winners in the junior and senior divisions also receive cash prizes from generous sponsors of the event.
Talent and Pageant schedule is below; admission to the pageants and talent competition is included with gate admission.
Jr. & Sr. Fair Queen Pageants: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 4th and 5th at Barton Coliseum
Talent Showdown: Friday, Oct. 11th at the Arkansas Building (Finals will be on the Attraction Stage by the Midway.)
Youth & Kids Talent: Saturday, Oct. 12th at the Arkansas Building
Elite Ms., Ms., and Sr. Ms. Pageant: Sunday, Oct. 13th at the Arkansas Building
