One of The Natural State’s favorite annual traditions is just around the corner: The Arkansas State Fair. Marking the arrival of cooler weather and a plethora of fried snacks, this year’s State Fair is likely to be the greatest yet.

 

In 2019, State Fair attendance was 472,308 people. That record was smashed last year, as COVID-19 shutdowns began to end and the weather cooled off, bringing 539,358 people out to the fairgrounds.

 

This year is slated to break records again, and that means new snacks, rides, entertainment and safety precautions. Will Hornburg, director of Sales and Promotions with the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, shares what you can expect this year.

 

Corndogs and Funnel Cakesand Turkey Legs, Oh My!

 

This year’s state fair will include all of your favorites and classics, in addition to some newcomers. 

 

For state fair nostalgics, you can expect to find funnel cakes, massive turkey legs and corndogs. But some newbies include a Chinese food vendor, pizza on a stick and dill pickle pizza, courtesy of Swaim’s Pizza, and a sirloin tips booth. Hornburg shares that a Mexican food trailer will also be on-site, selling Hot Cheetos walking tacos and Cheetos-dusted Mexican corn. Fairgoers who are watching their figures can also enjoy a new vendor this year who is bringing healthier options, such as a piaya dish and side salad. The Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association has taken over Midway Cafe this year with a steak and potato dinner. For sweets, fairgoers can expect chocolate-dipped bananas, dipped cheesecake on a stick and waffle cones with caramel cone crunch ice cream. Hornburg shares that the fair’s cuisine goal for this year is to balance sweet and salty.

 

Thrills and Chills

 

More interested flying through the sky than grazing on the ground? Hornburg some ride updates for this year. 

 

“We have a lot of the same rides this year since we’re still affiliated with North American Midway Entertainment. We have a mixture of kiddie rides as well as thriller rides, such as Raptor Run and the Wipeout,” Hornburg says. “Wipeout is like a roulette wheel on top of a stick that spins and gyrates. It looks insane.”

 

Thrill-seekers can also look forward to the return of other rides, such as Alien Abduction, Dizzy Dragon, Eli Ferris Wheel, Haunted Mansion, Mach 3, Pharaoh’s Fury, Remix, Spidermania and Vertigo, among others. 

 

Concerts

 

It doesn’t matter what your favorite kind of music is — the fair’s got something for everyone.

 

“This year, our goal is to keep everything balanced in terms of different genres, with more of a focus on local artists than we’ve had before,” Hornburg explains.

 

Tyler Kinch

Friday, OCT. 14

6:45 p.m. Tyler Kinch

8:00 p.m. Drive-By Truckers

 

Saturday, OCT. 15

8:00 p.m. ῾90s Dance Party
featuring Color Me Badd, Tone Loc and Young MC

 

The Wallflowers

Sunday, OCT. 16

7:00 p.m. The Wallflowers

 

Monday, OCT. 17

6:00 p.m. Jettway Performance with Zac Dunlap Band

 

Tuesday, OCT. 18

Southern Soul Tuesday with 102.1 KOKY
and Power 92Jams featuring
Dino D and the D-Train band @ 6 p.m.

 

Wednesday, OCT. 19

6:00 p.m. Darin with Spirit & Sound DJ’s

 

Thursday, OCT. 20

6:00 p.m. Arkansas Edge Showcase

 

Friday, OCT. 21

6:00 p.m. KSSN Home Grown Showdown

 

Megan Moroney

Saturday, OCT. 22

7:00 p.m. Megan Moroney

8:00 p.m. Blanco Brown

 

Sunday, OCT. 23

TBD 

 

Arkansas State FairOther Entertainment

 

If you want even more than food and rides and music, you’ve come to the right place. Some of the other attractions at this year’s State Fair include a Dino Stroll, a Cool Dog Thrill Show, a Casting Workshop, a Prehistoric Museum, a Petting Zoo, a plethora of talented vendors, pageants and a Moogician (yes, you read that right).

 

Security and Safety

 

State Fair

With a record number of people expected to attend the state fair, Hornburg is ready to address any public safety concerns. 

 

“With growth comes security issues. We encountered that last year — the last Saturday of the fair, we closed gates early because we were at capacity,” Hornburg says. But Hornburg is pulling out all the stops this year.

 

“We have enlisted the help of three correctional departments: The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Little Rock Police Department and the Arkansas State Police will all be monitoring the fairgrounds and fairground property parking. This is in addition to our own security team located up and down the Midway and throughout the food court. We have also enlisted the help of Pulaski County Emergency Management to keep an eye on the weather in the event we need to shut down rides.”

 

Law enforcement will be present in the fairground parking areas, which are the north and south lots. When fairgoers enter, they will have to pass through a metal detector. No pocketknives or firearms, even with concealed carry permits, are allowed. Backpacks are not allowed either, due to having too many pockets. No bags larger than 14 x 14 x 6 are allowed. Re-entry after leaving is not allowed, and be sure to have your ticket ready to be scanned at the entrance. 

 

“We don’t want people to have to turn back when they arrive at the gate, so we’re installing a public announcement speaker in the parking lot to let people know ahead of time what they can and can’t have,” Hornburg adds.

 

Admission

 

Ticket prices for the Arkansas State Fair are as follows:

 

Adults

• Advance Price: $8

• Gate Price: $12

 

Children (ages 6-12)

• Advance Price: $4

• Gate Price: $6

 

Seniors (60+)

• Advance Price: $4

• Gate Price: $6

 

Groups (minimum of 20)

• $6 per ticket

For more special daily events and promotions, as well as price deals, check out the Pricing & Promotions section of the Tickets & Info tab on the Arkansas State Fair’s website. 

 

What NOT to bring

 

Having to walk all the way back to your car after reaching the state fair’s entrance is the worst. Here’s a list of what not to bring so you don’t have to walk back:

• No bags larger than 14”x14”x6” 

• Concealed carry is prohibited even with a permit

• No pocketknives

• No outside food or beverages

• Coolers or ice chests

• Backpacks and bags

• Chairs of any kind (folding chairs, stools, etc.)

• Weapons (including, without limitation, pocketknives), fireworks and other illegal substances

• Pets (except service animals)

• Laser pens and laser pointers

• Alcohol

• Skateboards, hoverboards, and wheeled footwear

• Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles

• Self-defense sprays (including, without limitation, pepper spray and mace)

• Toy guns or toy knives (including, without limitation, water guns)

• Any other item deemed dangerous or inappropriate or otherwise violating any policy

This year’s state fair is predicted to be one of the best yet. With AY Magazine’s guide to the Arkansas State Fair, you can have an experience that you’ll never forget!