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Mississippi’s state fair is back. State officials hope it breaks an economic record

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by
Shamira Muhammad
• Published on
Several people cut a red ribbon with excitement
Several local leaders, including Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben of the MS Band of Choctaw Indians, Mayor John Horhn of Jackson and Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, cut the ribbon at the 166th Mississippi State Fair.
(Shamira Muhammad, MPB News)
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The 166th Mississippi State Fair has officially begun in downtown Jackson and state officials want this one to break records. 

Last year, attendance at the fair was around 20,000 less than the previous year, according to statements made by Mississippi’s Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson. Officials believe this year, the fair has the potential to bring in even more visitors and at least $35 million dollars in economic impact.

Gipson believes national celebrations may spark attendance this year.

Shamira Muhammad

Mississippi's 166th State Fair

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“We're participating in the America 250 celebration,” he said. “We're actually leading up to the 250th birthday of America, July 4th, 2026, so there is a competition nationwide who can have the most patriotic state fair, and I believe Mississippi can win this.”

Other local leaders, including Mayor John Horhn of Jackson, believe the historic and cultural significance of the host city may play a leading role in attracting more visitors. 

“There are a lot of historical sites and events that took place here. We have a great restaurant scene here. Our cuisine is fantastic. We have a great camaraderie of people who come from different backgrounds, different walks of life. So I don't know of a better place to have it than Jackson, Mississippi.”

A high school band marches in full regalia.
The Murrah High School band marches down the midway.
(Shamira Muhammad, MPB News)

Horhn says renewed interest in the city is helping to encourage the participation of local businesses in the fair. 

“We're getting support and communication from people from different foundations, corporations, the local business community has wrapped itself around Jackson,” he said. “Average citizens are ready for Jackson to be different than what it's been in the last few years.”

Jonathan Torres, the owner of Green Ghost Tacos, has been a vendor for the past five years. He’s optimistic about the potential exposure his business could get.

“This year, I think the weather is a little bit better,” he said. “We also have a second location here at the fair this year. So hopefully that will help us bring in a lot more people.”

Donald Van De Werken is the owner of Poplarville based J&D Blueberry Farms.

“We've been coming for about six or seven years,” he said. “We are at a new location this year, we're close to the livestock barn. We're blueberry farmers and this is a great way to promote our blueberry products. Of course, blueberries are the state fruit now.”

Bryanna Tadlock of Brandon only recently started her company, Rolling Stone Coffee, but is already vending at the fair.

“I'm really thankful and blessed to be able to be here, especially only being open a month,” she said. “I'm hoping to really just meet a lot of good people, get my name out there, our business out there to hopefully be successful in it.”

The fair runs through October 13.