The Arkansas State Fair fun takes place over the course of 10 days. Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 24.

Little Rock, Arkansas – The 81st Arkansas State Fair is back Friday, October 15, through Sunday, October 24, after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrons are invited to enjoy a variety of free concerts, delicious food, livestock competitions, thrilling carnival rides, and unique attractions. The diversity of entertainment is sure to please everyone in the family.

A few key points to highlight this year are as follows…

Vaccinate Arkansas will sponsor a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the Hall of Industry on both Fridays and Saturdays during the fair.

Also, the official State Fair Guide, which has been offered in printed form in previous years, will now be available digitally on your smartphone at ArkansasStateFair.com. The guides are packed with useful information, including daily schedules, maps, a food vendor list, and much more.

You can also use your smartphone while at the fair to access the daily schedule of events and map of the fairgrounds by scanning QR codes located on the information towers throughout the fairgrounds.

North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) of Farmland, Indiana, will provide the carnival attractions this year. NAME is the largest and most prestigious traveling outdoor amusement company in the world.

The company entertains more than 15 million people in 20 states in the U.S. and four Canadian provinces on an annual basis, and operates over 250 state-of-the-art rides, custom-designed food concessions, and family-oriented games. NAME provides the carnival for 12 of the 50 largest fairs in North America.

According to the fair’s interim general manager, Anne Marie Doramus, NAME boasts a sterling reputation for high quality rides and safety.

“North American Midway Entertainment is famous for great rides, games, food, personnel, and, most importantly, safety. North American Midway brings an enhanced carnival experience to our fair, so I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this top-rated carnival,” said Doramus.

The Arkansas State Fair offers a variety of daily specials to ensure that everyone has a great time at great prices.

“We have special promotions and discounts every single day,” said Doramus. “Once again our guests will be able to enjoy great fair food and save money on parking and admission with Lunch at the Fair, sponsored by Entergy. Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we’re offering free parking and free gate admission for anyone who would like to come out to the fairgrounds for lunch. Look for our Fair Food Vendors Map online at ArkansasStateFair.com and find your favorite foods.”

Other deals include a chance to save four dollars with the purchase of advance adult gate admission for just $8.00 and pay only $4.00 for children and seniors gate admission. Ride bands, good for unlimited rides one day, are just $30.00 before opening day. Advance discount tickets may be purchased at ArkansasStateFair.com.

Regular daily admission at the gate is $12.00 for adults, $6.00 for children (ages 6 to 12) and senior adults (ages 60 and over) and free to children under six. Ride bands purchased on-site are $35.00 each.

Regular fairground parking is $10.00 per vehicle. This year, the fair will also offer premium parking. Patrons can park closer to the action in designated premium lots for $20.00.

The fair has a long history of providing great musical entertainment and this year is no exception. The Arkansas State Fair Concert Series will include country, rhythm & blues and rock genres on the Vaccinate Arkansas Main Stage.

Maddie & Tae kick off the concert series on Friday, October 15, at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 16, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performs at 8 p.m. Sunday night at 7 p.m., Bel Biv Devoe takes the stage. On the night of Monday, October, 18, Zac Dunlap with Jettway Music Group takes the stage at 6 p.m. Thursday night, October 21, at 7 p.m., Better Than Ezra performs. Blackberry Smoke is the featured act the evening of Friday, October 22, at 8 p.m. Country music takes center stage Saturday, October 23, at 8 p.m., when Riley Green plays.

The fair continues to offer free concerts with gate admission. For patrons who are interested in a premium concert experience, though, limited deck seating is available for $25.00 at the fairgrounds box office and at ArkansasStateFair.com. Gate admission is not included.

As mentioned earlier, NAME will bring the midway carnival attractions to the fair this year. Fairgoers looking for exciting carnival rides are sure to be pleased with the selection of rides.

Spectacular rides include the Crazy Mouse roller coaster, Euro slide, Giant Wheel, Mach 3 and Mega Drop. Kiddie rides include Balloon Race, Bumble Bees, Kite Flyer, Lollipop Swings and Spidermania.

It’s not the State Fair without the smells and tastes of delicious Fair food. Fairgoers will find all their favorites like corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, hamburgers, pizza and more at 52 food and beverage locations throughout the fairgrounds. There will be ample opportunity to try new foods as well.

Doramus also stated that patrons can choose from food vendors set up on the fairground’s main food court, in the Hall of Industry and on the midway.

“The Big Show Diner will be open again this year with the Party Deck available for patrons to enjoy outdoor dining on a covered deck overlooking the midway. The Diner will offer freshly prepared foods ‘cafeteria style’ for fast service. Some of the diner’s featured foods will include American specialties, Blue Plate dinners, homemade pies and a children’s menu,” said Doramus.

Of course, the Fair’s returning favorites will include concessions like Paizi’s Greek gyros, Boss Hogg barbecue, Gold’s Skillet, Pat’s Kitchen, Alan McKinney Food Service, and L&M Concessions.

The Livestock Show is a great part of the Arkansas State Fair’s heritage, and each year more and more people bring their best animals to Little Rock to see how they measure up. It is an honor to continue the tradition of showcasing some of the finest livestock in Arkansas at the State Fair. This year exhibitions and competitions will include activities involving beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, boer goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits.

According to new Livestock Chairman Chris Bacchus, the Fair will welcome over 7,000 Arkansas 4-H and FFA members. These students work with their animals all year long in preparation for the Arkansas State Fair.

“The Livestock Program requires a tremendous amount of dedication and personal responsibility from these young people, and the adults who support their efforts. The rewards are amazing, and the life skills such as leadership, responsibility and competitive attitudes that are developed through this program last a lifetime,” said Bacchus.

Livestock competitions will be held daily on the fairgrounds. For schedules of competitions listing specific dates, times and locations, refer to the daily schedules found at ArkansasStateFair.com.

The Farm Bureau Arts & Crafts Building will host a variety of exciting activities throughout the Fair.

“We have a great Creative Arts program, with dozens of competitions for exhibitors of all ages in various categories of crafts, hobbies, and cooking skills. Many of the items are absolutely gorgeous pieces of art, and the overall display is truly amazing,” said Gina Clements, competitive events director. “Live competitions and demonstrations are scheduled daily, and artists and crafters will be displaying their artwork all ten days of the fair.”

Scheduled competitions include Arkansas Farm Bureau Floral Express flower arranging, Arkansas commercial wine, open baked foods, Arkansas State Fair pie, Arkansas honey cooking, Hiland Dairy cooking, Petit Jean Meats cooking, Tammy Sue’s meatloaf cooking, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association BBQ ribs, Arkansas Cattlewomen’s Association chili cook-off and various cooking demonstrations.

Talented youth from across the state of Arkansas have an opportunity to compete in the Youth Talent Competitions and Fair Queen Pageants. The Arkansas Building will be the venue for four days of regional competition for Fair Queen and Youth Talent contestants. Talent finalists perform on Saturday afternoon, October 23, beginning at 1 p.m. Fair Queen finals start at 5 p.m. The evening concludes with award ceremonies, and the crowning of the 2021 Arkansas State Fair Queen, Junior Fair Queen, Ms. Fair Queen and Senior Ms. Fair Queen.

Rodeo Queen contestants will compete for the title through a riding competition and private interviews. The Rodeo Queen will be crowned Sunday, October 17, between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., in Barton Coliseum.

Fairgoers will discover several new attractions and some returning favorites presented by Hiland Dairy Foods and located on Hiland Hill just off the midway.

“We always offer amazing attractions at the Arkansas State Fair,” said Doramus. “Back again this year is the Show Me Swine Racers, a must-see attraction for kids. We also are presenting the Museum of Discovery. It’s an educational show featuring incredible science and technology experiments. The many antics of the Bears of Bearadise Ranch will capture the imagination of the whole family.”

Show Me Swine Racers – What happens when a bunch of athletic porkers with a taste for sweets line up to compete for a single cookie? Come join the crowd in the grandstands and see. These racing swine sprint to the finish line for your entertainment and their fanatical love of oatmeal cookies!

Museum of Discovery – Arkansas’ own science and technology center presents a dazzling array of larger-than-life experiments that are unusual, unexpected and downright mind-blowing. These folks are on a mission to make science “cool”!

Bears of Bearadise Ranch – This one of a kind Bear show is the largest traveling educational bear exhibit in the country! This bear-y entertaining show provides an up close and personal look at these majestic creatures. Audiences will learn about the bears and their favorite pastimes as well as see them show off their amazing skills.

The State Fair Petting Zoo – an educational, “hands on” experience for children and adults features farm animals of all kinds. The petting zoo is located on the south end of the midway in an enclosed building.

KARK 4 and FOX 16 Ride Day – Friday, October 15. From 11 a.m. to close: Buy a ride band at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides this day. Gate admission and parking not included.

Lunch at the Fair, sponsored by Entergy – Weekdays during the fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Fair patrons get free parking and free gate admission. Premium parking not included.

The Point 94.1 Ride Day – Saturday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to close: Buy a $35 ride band at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides that day. Gate admission and parking not included.

Power 92 Power Pack – Saturday, October 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:32 p.m.: 92 minutes of FREE gate admission for children 12 and under.

Power 92.3/102.1 KOKY/Praise 102.5 Ride Day – Sunday, October 17. From 11 a.m. to close: Buy a ride band at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides this day. Gate admission and parking not included.

Kiddie Day – Monday, October 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Kids ages 6 and under can ride the Kiddie Rides free and free gate admission for adults bringing children during that time. Parking included.

The Point 94.1 $2 Day – Monday, October 18: Gate admission, parking and rides are only $2 each all day. Premium parking not included.

THV 11 Mission Home Day – Monday, October 18: Visit the THV 11/Triple-S Alarm tent at the Main Gate for child safety wristbands and to meet THV personalities.

Military Appreciation Day – Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to close: Free gate admission for military personnel and immediate family members with valid Military I.D.

HOT 94.9 Tuesday – Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to close: Buy a special $35 ride band and get unlimited rides all day.

Healthcare Workers Appreciation Day – Wednesday, October 20: Free gate admission for healthcare workers with valid I.D. One (1) gate pass per valid worker I.D.

100.3 The Edge Ride Day – Wednesday, October 20: Buy a $35 ride band at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides that day. Gate admission and parking not included.

KSSN 96 Ladies Night Out – Wednesday, October 20, 6 p.m. to close: Free gate admission for ladies 18 years of age and older.

iHeart Radio Thrill Thursday Sponsored by 100.3 The Edge, KSSN 96, 105.1 The Wolf and Hot94.9 – Thursday, October 21: Buy a $35 ride band at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides that day. Gate admission and parking not included.

100.3 The Edge College Night – Thursday, October 21. From 6 p.m. to close: Free gate admission for college students with valid school I.D.

103.7 The Buzz/106.7 Buz2 and Arkansas Cancer Coalition Return to Cancer Screening Day – Friday, October 22. From 11 a.m. to close: Buy a $35 ride band at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides that day. Gate admission and parking not included.

School Day at the Fair – Friday, October 22. From 1 p.m. to close: $3 Fair admission for all school children through 12th grade.

KSSN 96 Ride Day – Saturday, October 23: Buy a $35 ride band at a midway ticket booth and get unlimited rides this day. Gate admission and parking are not included. All Ambetter employees and members who present a valid Ambetter ID Card receive $2 off gate admission. Discount valid for 4 persons per card.

Entergy Day at the Fair – Saturday, October 23: All Entergy employees who present a valid Entergy Employee I.D. receive $2 off gate admission. Discount valid for 4 persons per party.

FFA, FCCLA, Scout Day and 4-H Day – Saturday, October 23, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.: $3 Fair gate admission for FFA and FCCLA students, Scouts, and 4-H members. Includes teachers, sponsors and bus drivers.

Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland and 105.1 The Wolf Ride Day- Sunday, October 24. From 11 a.m. to close: Buy a ride band at a midway ticket booth for $35 and get unlimited rides that day. Gate admission and parking not included.