Mark Your Calendar for the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair

This year, from September 20 through September 28, the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair will be running in Fort Smith for the 83rd year in a row. Every year since 1936, the fairgrounds have been covered with rides, food, competitions, entertainment, games, and more. You won’t want to miss this local event that has become one of the most popular events in the region. Here’s what you can expect in 2019.

Entertainment

The schedule for entertainment isn’t finalized yet, so there might be acts added to the list over the next several weeks. On Saturday, September 21, various children from Arkansas will grace the stage showing off their various talents. Dorrian Cross is scheduled to play on Tuesday evening that week and the local band, Songs of Turner will play on Wednesday. To close out the entertainment for the week, the annual pageant and talent show will take place on Saturday, September 28. 

Rides

Every year, new rides are added to the fairgrounds, so you’ll have to wait and see what new excitement the fair offers this year, but the classics will always be around. The Scrambler ride is a spinning ride that scrambles the seats like a bowl of eggs. One of the most popular carnival rides in America, the Tilt-a-Whirl will also be on site. 

Don’t miss a chance to ride the traditional Merry-Go-Round or walk through Crystal Lil’s House of Mirrors. Little visitors will love a ride on the Rio Grande Train or the Frog Hopper.

Competitions

Whether you want to enter a competition or be a spectator, these are exciting events for anyone. The Livestock exhibitions have been the focal point of the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair since its inception. Take a walk through the barns to see some impressive animals. The Junior Livestock Auction is a great event for local farmers. Various farm animals like goats, lambs, steers, rabbits, and more will all be auctioned off.

A creative arts competition will also take place throughout the week. The Expo Center will be filled with art from creators of all ages. Beautiful, handmade quilts and other crafts will be on display. Be sure to check out this competition to appreciate human creativity and skill.

Games

Every carnival has to feature some fun games, and the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair won’t disappoint! Challenge your skills with classics like break-a-bottle, ring-o-bottle, balloon pop, water races, and the rope ladder. Top-notch prizes make the games even more exciting. You’ll get to choose from traditional prizes like stuffed bears and newer trinkets like fidget spinners. Some games even offer hot items like remote control helicopters and drones.

Food

Be sure to bring your appetite so you can enjoy some awesome carnival food. Everything you’d expect will be available. Indulge in corn dogs, candy apples, nachos, funnel cakes, pizza, cotton candy, popcorn, and much more. See how many different goodies wrapped in fried dough you can enjoy.  If you’ve never experienced the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair, you’ll want to make sure to get there this year! Start a new tradition and enjoy this local treasure. 

Image via Flickr by tvdflickr

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