Oklahoma State Fair opens with meals, enjoyable, and custom

OKLAHOMA CITY — From September 11 to 21, the Oklahoma City fairgrounds buzz with carnival music, funnel cake aromas, dazzling lights and sights that carry households again 12 months after 12 months. Gates for the Oklahoma State Fair open day by day at 10 a.m., providing a full day of leisure for all ages.

This 12 months’s theme, “Eat. Ride. Repeat.,” captures the truthful’s vitality and reminds guests that, with ten days to take pleasure in, there’s loads of time to return again and expertise all of it.

“There’s so much to see and do, you can’t possibly do it all in one day,” Oklahoma State Fair spokesperson Scott Munz advised Free Press in an interview. “And that’s the point. We want you to come back again and again and again.”

Since 1907, the State Fair has been the backdrop for every part from date nights to household traditions, and all of it continues in 2025 with new highlights and returning favorites .

Faylee Speerbrecher mentioned her household had been among the many many having fun with opening day on the truthful. She mentioned her youngster, Kye, cherished the treats and was excited to lastly be sufficiently old for the carnival rides.

“It’s been so fun,” Speerbrecher advised Free Press on the truthful. “We love all the treats and all the rides. We love it here.” 

Food on the truthful

Fair meals stays one of many occasion’s largest attracts, with greater than 40 new items becoming a member of classics like fried cheese, fried Oreos and cheesecake on a stick. This 12 months’s new eats embody deep-fried pecan pie, a bacon maple cheesecake burger, and even a pizza grilled cheese sandwich. Beverages vary from fresh-squeezed lemonade and root beer to boba teas, craft beer, frozen cocktails, and the return of pickle lemonade. 

The winners of the 2025 Great TASTE of a fair had been not too long ago introduced, judged by Emmy Award–profitable Sandra Lee. This 12 months’s picks give fairgoers contemporary bites to attempt, like Wade Show’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake and Wain’s Pizza On-A-Stick’s Pickle Bacon Ranch Pizza. 

“This isn’t the time of year to be on a diet,” Munz joked. “You can diet the rest of the year, but now is the time to have your cheat day…maybe even multiple cheat days.”

Visitors can observe meals stands utilizing the Food Finder tool on the truthful’s web site.

Must-see sights

This 12 months’s truthful options new attractions together with The Moving Mermaid, the place company can chat and take photographs, the free Piccolo Zoppé Circus with acrobats, aerialists, clowns, and animals, and the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, the place canine amaze with agility, diving and different high-energy feats.

New this 12 months, The Lounge in The Pavilion affords cocktails, dwell music and music bingo. Returning favorites embody the nightly Laser Light Extravaganza, whereas animal lovers can sit up for exhibits just like the Barnyard Birthing Center, Clydesdales within the Super Barn, and the Great American Petting Farm.

Many sit up for the truthful custom of youth proudly displaying their FFA and 4-H. Brenda McKinney, attending together with her granddaughter Kenna, who started displaying at age three and now exhibits with the Owosso FFA, mentioned she enjoys the children’ dedication and at all times appears ahead to the truthful.

“I look forward to coming for the shows every year,” McKinney advised Free Press in an interview. “The kids get so involved. They wash their cattle, and they love on them. It is so sweet. They just have a personal relationship with their animals.” 

Indoors, the brand new OG&E Coliseum is internet hosting main occasions, beginning with Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars Sept. 11–15. Country music stars Trace Adkins and Casey Donahew would be the first live performance within the new venue on Sept. 17. Fair admission is included with all occasion tickets. And closing weekend brings the Wildcatters Professional Bull Riding (PBR) Teams Challenge Sept. 19–21.

The day by day truthful lineup stays contemporary with particular occasions like Think Pink for Women’s Health Day Sept. 12, Farmhand Olympics Sept. 13, Board Game Bonanza Sept. 13–14, and Wine & Palette classes Sept. 16. Shoppers also can browse meals, presents, and the Made in Oklahoma store on the Bennett Event Center.

“We have plenty to do, both indoors and outdoors,” Munz advised Free Press. “Regardless of the weather, you can always spend enjoyable family time at the fair.”

Carnival, competitions, and live shows

The carnival stays a centerpiece with classics just like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Sky Eye Wheel and thrill rides just like the Mega Drop. Families also can discover the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, open day by day from 11 a.m. to eight p.m., the place stunts and interactive displays carry Wild West historical past to life. And competitions, from baking to arm wrestling or agriculture, provide one thing for everybody. 

Music fills the fairgrounds, from native acts on the Patio Stage and Bandshell to the Band Day Parade on Sept. 15, that includes marching bands from throughout the state. The Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage additionally affords free nightly live shows at 7:30 p.m., with highlights like Sister Sledge Sept. 12, an Elvis tribute Sept. 17, and Stephen Pearcy with Quiet Riot Sept. 20, plus extra native and touring acts all through the truthful.

Safety first and planning your go to

Security stays a prime precedence with scanners at gates and safety presence. 

The youth attendance coverage continues to be in place: after 5 p.m., anybody underneath 18 have to be accompanied by a dad or mum, guardian or chaperone age 25 or older. 

“We do what we can, but we also need help from the public,” Munz advised Free Press about truthful safety. “If you see something that makes you go ‘hmm,’ don’t walk past it. Tell someone.”

Public sights open at 10 a.m. day by day, with livestock and equestrian occasions beginning earlier. Exhibition buildings shut at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday, whereas out of doors distributors keep open half-hour later. 

Tickets on the gate are $16 for adults, $10 for youths ages 6–11, and free for youngsters underneath 5. Visitors can reap the benefits of a number of offers, together with:

• Military Monday: Free admission for active-duty and veterans
• Taste of the Fair Tuesday: $4 admission, $4 meals specials, and $4 Sky Eye Wheel rides
• Senior Day Wednesday: Free admission for seniors over 55 years of age
• Thrifty Thursday: $8 admission, armbands for $25. Thursday can be College Night: $5 admission for college kids. 

The “Little Book of BIG DEALS,” with greater than $250 in coupons, can be obtainable at ticket cubicles and data stands.

An entire line-up of knowledge is on the truthful’s website. 

Zoe Elrod covers occasions and happenings round Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her ability as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her profession masking native musicians, artists, politicians, and on a regular basis of us.