A ribbon cutting ceremony opened the fair Thursday morning. A truck filled with the season’s bounty - pumpkins, sweet potatoes and corn - served as the backdrop.
Shamira Muhammad
Fun, food and rides: The Mississippi State Fair has begun
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Once the ribbon was cut, bands played and members of the public wandered along the mile-long midway - it was packed with rides, games and at least 60 food vendors. They sold everything from fried oreos to buffalo cauliflower. Attendees were dressed in scrubs and business suits, coming to the fair on their lunch break. A livestock area was filled with cattle and fresh pens that would be filled with other animals.
The state’s first fair happened in 1858 in downtown Jackson. It centered around agriculture and livestock.
Andy Gipson is the commissioner of agriculture and commerce, the agency who helps to put on the fair.
“My parents met at the Mississippi State Fair at the livestock barns in 1966 before they ever married,” he said. “The first time they ever met each other, they met at the state fair. And so I tell people I wouldn't exist if it weren't for the state fair. But ever since I have been growing up, probably because they did meet here, my parents always brought us to the fair. I don't think I've missed a single fair in my whole life, except maybe one year I had the flu and I was too sick to come.”
Livestock relax at the Mississippi State Fair. (Shamira Muhammad, MPB News)
He expects more than 600 thousand people to attend the fair this year- which could be the largest crowd ever. Visit Jackson reported last year’s fair had an economic impact of $50 million dollars.
“We had a hard time back during Covid,” Gipson said. “You know, it was hard to keep it going. But we've been building back ever since then. And I really believe this is going to be a great year for the state fair and we invite everybody to come out.”
Gipson says safety is a top concern. The Department of Homeland Security, the Army National Guard, Capitol police and the Jackson police department are just some of the agencies involved in maintaining security at the fair.
Vendors come from all over the country.
Yet, many of the fair participants are from Mississippi. Gipson pointed out a lemonade stand that was owned by a family from Byram in Hinds County. Some of the livestock, he says, was raised by young local 4-H members.
“I tell folks, this is if you want to see the future Mississippi workforce, you walk through those livestock barns and you see these young people working out here,” Gipson said. “They are doing a great job and they're going to be our future leaders.”
The fair is open through October 14. Fair admission is free every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 14.
