Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following statement.
The Great American Mississippi State Fair concluded Monday at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson and Fairgrounds leadership announced the 2025 State Fair was a success, with just under half a million visitors and no significant security incidents.
“Between October 2-13, just under half a million Mississippians came together to enjoy the 2025 Great American Mississippi State Fair,” said Commissioner Gipson. “This special, and uniquely patriotic event was a celebration of family, freedom and tradition. I want to thank our incredible law enforcement and security team for their diligent work throughout the duration of the State Fair. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of state, county and local law enforcement, as well as private security and the Fairgrounds staff, the Mississippi State Fairgrounds remained clean, welcoming and completely free of any major safety issues.”
Notably, the 2025 Mississippi State Fair marks the first time where adult supervision was required for admission for all minors after 6:00 p.m. every day of the Fair, and all day on weekends. While this new security policy was expected to reduce overall attendance, it also drove a significant increase in families’ attendance. State Fair security officials reported reduced security issues at the State Fair and there were no reported major security incidents.
“Given the tragic and dangerous events Mississippians witnessed at several football events this past weekend, we believe the State Fair security protocol provides a strong, proven model for similar large events across the Magnolia State,” said Commissioner Gipson. “It is plain, common sense that minors need adult supervision, period. And it makes a positive difference, as evidenced that we did not experience any similar acts of violence at the 2025 Mississippi State Fair.”
“While we did have one day, Monday, October 6, that was a washout due to rain, we are glad to report that the State Fair was still well attended with nearly half a million guests. And something our staff noticed, and we are
In addition, the 166th Mississippi State Fair took part in the nationwide Great American State Fair competition, held in conjunction with the America250 initiative honoring the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. To capture the full spirit and scope of this year’s celebration, the Mississippi Fairgrounds team is producing a documentary for official submission to the America250 Committee – aiming to prove that Mississippi didn’t just host a great fair, but the most patriotic State Fair in the nation.
“From the opening ceremony on that first day, where I was proud to cut the ceremonial ribbon with City of Jackson Mayor John Horhn and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Chief Cyrus Ben, to our grand finale of patriotic festivities on the final day, the Spirit of America was evident throughout the 12 days of the State Fair. We incorporated all-new patriotic competitions and shows, as well as the first-ever Great American Parade at the State Fair, a live performance by the legendary music artist Lee Greenwood and a star-spangled fireworks display to end the fair.”
Another new event was our Disability Friendly Day, which created an inclusive environment for individuals and families impacted by disabilities. This event, sponsored by Joni and Friends, was met with tremendous appreciation and overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.
“While we’re still celebrating the success of this year’s State Fair, our incredible team is already hard at work planning the 2026 fair – one that promises even more entertainment, community engagement and patriotic spirit to celebrate 250 years of American Freedom,” said Commissioner Gipson.
“In the meantime, we’re inviting everyone to mark their calendars for the next major event to come to the State Fairgrounds – the Great American Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo,” continued Gipson. “Tickets are now on sale for the rodeo and a star-studded entertainment lineup, including performances by Ole 60, Bayker Blankenship, Joe Nichols, Tanya Tucker, Waylon Wyatt, Muscadine Bloodline and Mark Chesnutt. So, I encourage everyone to get your tickets today!”
For more information and to purchase tickets to the Dixie National Rodeo, which runs February 13-15 and 18-21, 2026, visitwww.dixienational.org and follow the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo on Facebook, Instagram and X.
43 comments:
We went. It was just as good as I have always remembered, but tons of police present. I like the higher prices. Keeps the riff raff out. Love the free biscuits though!
So, it wasn’t Thee Mississippi State Fair, like for the past 20 years or so?
Feels like when I was younger the Fair would come later in the month then it does now. I miss going when it was chilly or cool outside. Or maybe that's just how the weather was years ago. Actually cool in October instead of 85+. But this year was still nice.
I am not "riff raff" and can afford to pay the stupid prices. I simply refuse. Kinda tired of certain folks declaring how much better they are than us "riff raff" who simply will now bow to this robbery. In my day we called you sheep.
KF, what has attendance been before COVID? Do something like you did with Zoo attendance.
Washington DC is a three act clown show. Senate clowns, House clowns, and White House Clowns. Pointing at each other and whining/laughing/blaming while watching their house burn down even though the fire truck is full of water and ready to go. They refuse to start it.
I remember in the late 70’s and80’s, everybody who had a high school letter jacket wore it to the fair.
Hey, 2:30, what they had in mind with their pricing model worked perfectly.
Loved seeing the police everywhere on the fairgrounds, but there does need to be more security/police presence in the parking lots.
I noticed that Commissioner Gipson didn't offer a comparison with attendance last year or previous years. That would be useful in rating the success of this year's state fair - if attendance is the metric that determines success.
I dont care about the high prices. What pisses me off is the lack of competition. You see, Andy runs the the fair concessions like a communist dictator. He wont let certain vendors sell certain things or even sell them at lower prices.
You can see numerous food sellers with menu items they will say “we arent allowed to sell those here” because Andy said so.
They are allowing the amusement company to have a monopoly on the fair food faves like turkey legs and funnel cakes.
Shad PLEASE investigate why the fair does not have a FREE MARKET!
One can only assume Andy is getting some sort of cut from this!
The reason that shitty corndog is $12 is because nobody else is allowed to sell a competing corndog for $6!
Hopefully people dont forget these anti-competive, anti-free market capitalist practises when Andy makes his run for Governer!
Glad you stayed home..
Made it better for everyone else
I went, had a great time, spent $35 on lunch, best expenditure of mine in October .
I was there last Saturday afternoon and had a wonderful time. Spent around $700 on rides and food but played no games. Just seeing the smile on 2 nine year olds faces and a 5 year old was worth it. We made a memory. My friends talked me into riding the Ring of Fire which was quite an experience, I’m over 50, lol.
Everybody was well behaved
and there were no lines. We appreciated the extra law enforcement too.
There may police in the fairgrounds but how about outside the fair? You still have to drive through Jackson to get there
It took me 5 seconds to Google this. Per Clarion Ledger: "The sliding attendance is a trend. The 12-day event in 2024 saw attendance numbers down nearly 20,000 or 3% compared to 2023, which brought 525,576 guests. In 2022, 519,000 attended the fair. Each of those years were far less attended when compared to 2021, which saw a total of 562,521. The fair has yet to see the same numbers since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, a total attendance of 612,198 was recorded, which was more than 100,000 more than this year's attendance. In 2020, the year of the pandemic, attendance at the fair was only 370,587."
2024 attendance was 507,000 and 2023 was 525,500 per Gemini query
@3:44pm Attendance is more than likely down a lot. Every state fair in the south is down because every state capital has turned dangerous and now that a turkey leg is $18 people will just pass on it. But the result is nice with no lines and only the people who can afford it go. By the way, I don't think they were taking attendance at lunch because it was free and you could just walk in, but I went Friday and there was a great crowd.
That's because this year was lower than last year. And the year before......
But, can't admit that because he is wanting soooo bad to be competitive in Trump's 'best fair' contest for the 250th celebration. And Andy bad wants, and needs, Trump's blessings on anything and everything he can find.
@3:46
I'm pretty sure both the fair company and rodeo promoter are some of Andy's largest donors (which isn't saying much). You should do just a LITTLE bit of research on the matter.
Didn't make this one - or the last one either. The ridiculous prices (food particularly) is a good reason, especially when the food isn't worth what they charged last year or before.
But the main reason is that one can get much better rides, food, and entertainment - along with a nice place to visit - at the 'fair' held 70 miles NE a couple of months ago. Want to see those smiles on nine year old faces (or five or fifty) is easier and cheaper up there and all the memories are even bigger (and the massive law enforcement presence is not required.)
Revolting, fry anything, put it on a stick and sell it to the waddling necks. Whole place stinks like burnt grease. Hundreds of extension cables to trip over, carnies looking like ruined vagrants on the run. Have not been but one time with kids 30+ years ago.
I wish that the "Genuine MS" product purchasing opportunities at the fair extended to the state's craft brewers. We've got a lot of great beers being made right here at home in Jackson, Vicksburg, Hattiesburg and on the coast. It's a shame that they aren't in the beer garden or at the bar over at the coliseum.
It's a damned shame when a 600 word article about an event in Mississippi, has, at its second sentence the fact that violence was not experienced. At one time, that was not even a remote consideration!
I love going to the fair!
Get serious! What the hell lunch cost you $35?
Feel Better? Bull Shit!
If The Hat is this much of a nuisance and meddles in all the details of a county fair, imagine what an ass-hat he would be as governor...which won't happen. Sounds like a Primitive Baptist Preacher with a rod in one hand and slamming down the Bible with the other.
Andy is going to make Mississippi Great again.
I paid $17 for a brisket sandwich (see, two slices of roast beef), fries, and a drink. Don't forget my $6 (cash only) corn.
No wonder people don't go. It's not affordable.
Kf please keep the riff raff out of the comments. Peasants
I won't go because it looks like a police event. Would feel better if the majority were plain-clothed.
Shan-gri-la is 70 miles N/E of Jackson? Hmmm.
Good God Almighty! $700 on rides and games....you must be desperate to prove to your kids how much you love them. Very sad children need that kind of money spent on them, and boy you can bet they know it with your guilty spending.
@ 4:41, you must have been a miserable child. I hate that for you. We had great memories from going to the fair when we were young and for a time they had some very good concerts during the fair in the coliseum. Things change for sure and jackson changed for the worse. The cleanliness is now a much higher priority than it was in the past. As far as the carny workers, you can’t have a fair without labor and who hasn’t been strapped in a ride with a toothless carny telling you to keep you hands and feet inside the ride then turning the volume up on the speaker as loud as it can go. The last good fair I went to was in the 90’s. As far as the low attendance goes the thug culture didn’t arrive, so there is a positive there and possibly why the food prices and ride costs were so high. One could blow a whole month of EBT funds in 1 hour at the high costs.
The commenter “know it alls” and whiny sad sacks and negative Nancies are out in force today. I enjoyed my trips to the fair, and this year was better than some previous years. Glad all the whiners stayed home! Lol
The fair used to be great. But then I just grew up and didn’t need such things anymore. It was a lot better before about 1970 because, well, you know.
Well if had known you weren't coming I would have gone.
So going "thugless" has decreased attendance ?
The fair was great this year. My kids had a blast. Andy has done an amazing job, like him or not. It's amazing how the same ole negativity breeders on here can't say anthing positive about Jackson. It's a hobby to tear it down. It's almost like a sickness. Anyways, can't wait for the fair next year!
Gipson better be ready to justify the numbers - for example:
450,000 X $10.00 = $4,500,000
475,000 X $10.00 = $4,750,000
500,000 X $10.00 = $5,000,000
If his deposits to DFA don't match, Shad needs to investigate!
@5:49, You don’t realize that it takes 12-15 tickets for the average ride. Remember when it took 5 tickets for the bigger rides?
At 10/16/25 @ 4:03 -- There are free entry periods before 1 during the week, except Columbus Day, to attract folks to eat lunch at the Fair. Plus kids 5 and under (or 4 and under) get in free. Hence, the paid entry would be much lower than actual attendance.
If comparing attendance to previous years, one might want to also look at revenue. Entry fees used to be $5 with parking $5. Now entry is $10 with parking free. They might have less folks attending multiple days but spending more when there.
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