Jackson Jambalaya

Ag Commish Andy Gipson issued the following press release. 

Commissioner Gipson invites Mississippians and visitors from across the region to attend the 167th Mississippi State Fair and enjoy entertainment and special events Sunday, October 11, through Monday, October 12, at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson.

Gates open Sunday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. The Tri-State Rodeo will continue at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Guests can present their Tri-State Rodeo ticket at the gate for admission on the same day to the Fair. Sunday evening, the Dixie National Rodeo Queen Pageant will be held at 6:00 p.m., giving fairgoers the chance to watch talented cowgirls from around the Southeast compete. Following the horsemanship portion of the pageant, fairgoers can catch the final round and witness the crowning of the new Miss Dixie National, Junior Miss Dixie National and Dixie National Princess inside the Mississippi Coliseum. This is a ticketed event. Admission is $10 per person; children ages 5 and younger receive free admission.

Monday, October 12, is Military Monday at the Mississippi State Fair. All veterans and active-duty military will receive free admission by showing their identification at the gate. In addition, there is a wristband ride special for $35 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Scheduled Activities & Events for Sunday, October 11, 2026

• 9:00 a.m. – Beef Showmanship – Judging Arena
• 10:00 a.m. – Gates Open & Paid Admission Begins
• 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Mississippi State Fair Marketplace & Genuine MS Store
• 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving – Patriot Village
• 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Biscuit Booth
• 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Petting Zoo – Patriot Village
• 11:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – Flying Fools High Dive Show – Patriot Village
• 12:00 p.m. – Rides Open
• 12:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – Royal Legacy Circus – Kid Zone
• 12:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – Fetch N Fish – Patriot Village
• 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. – Pig Races – Patriot Village
• 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. – Taste of Dixie National Rodeo – Patriot Village
• 3:00 p.m. – MS State Fair Livestock Judging Contest –   Judging Arena Barn 14
• 3:00 p.m. – Tri-State Rodeo – (ticketed event) – Kirk Fordice Equine Center
• 6:00 p.m. – Dixie National Rodeo Queen Pageant – Mississippi Coliseum
• 9:00 p.m. – Gates Close

Scheduled Activities & Events for Monday, October 12, 2026

Monday, October 12, is Military Monday at the Mississippi State Fair. All veterans and active military will be given free admission. Identification will be required at the gate.

Ride Specials: Ride Wristband Day for $35 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• 8:00 a.m. – Junior Beef Breeding Show – Judging Arena
• 10:00 a.m. – Gates Open & Paid Admission Begins
• 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Mississippi State Fair Marketplace & Genuine MS Store
• 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving – Patriot Village
• 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Biscuit Booth
• 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Petting Zoo – Patriot Village
• 12:00 p.m. – Rides Open
• 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m.– Flying Fools High Dive Show – Patriot Village
• 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – Royal Legacy Circus – Kid Zone
• 1:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – Fetch N Fish – Patriot Village
• 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. – Pig Races – Patriot Village
• 7:00 p.m. – Taste of Dixie National Rodeo – Patriot Village
• 9:00 p.m. – Gates Close

Know Before You Go:

• Gate admission is $10 per person, 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.
• Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the exception of Columbus Day.
• Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until close and all day Friday and Saturday, any guest under the age of 18 seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by an adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age. Guests are encouraged to bring identification.
• When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several security points utilizing a metal detector, and/or be subject to magnetic wanding.
• All bags are subject to search.
• No outside food or beverage allowed.
• No marketing, soliciting, political or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations.
• No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives of laser pointers allowed.
• Jefferson Street will be closed between Pearl Street and Amite Street. Greymont Street will be open for Fair traffic only.

***NEW*** Brisket Biscuit & Discounts on the Midway to Honor Veterans and Military

Throughout the duration of the Fair, veterans and active-duty military members presenting a valid military ID when entering the gates will receive a special armband to show at the Biscuit Booth for a complimentary Brisket Biscuit, thanks to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and the Mississippi Beef Council. The Brisket Biscuit will be available at the Biscuit Booth Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Veterans and active-duty military members are also eligible to receive discounts from participating vendors on the Midway. Fairgoers can purchase a Brisket Biscuit at the Beef Barn during Biscuit Booth hours.

The 167th Mississippi State Fair, which runs October 8-18, is wrapping the Mississippi State Fair once again in red, white and blue with this year’s theme, Let Freedom Ring! Admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the exception of 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.