The annual Oklahoma State Fair, featuring exhibits, competitions, rides and entertainment, will take place Sept. 11 through 21.
Established in 1907, the fair has been an exciting event for residents and visitors alike, providing family fun and educational experiences.
Scott Munz, executive vice president of marketing and sales for the Oklahoma State Fair, has served as fair spokesperson for decades and said the event is Oklahoma’s premiere family attraction.
“The fair is a huge slice of Americana,” Munz said. “And we have something here for everybody, ages 8 to 80.”
For the third year, the fair will have College Night, where students presenting their college ID can buy tickets for $5 at the gate Sept. 18.
“Our president and CEO was talking to a class at (Oklahoma State University), and a student asked why we didn’t have a discounted student ticket night,” Munz said. “So we started one, and our first year we had the OU pep squad and mascots at the fair.”
The Oklahoma State Fair takes a year to plan and coordinate with the various attractions and performances.
Munz said his favorite part of the fair is seeing the excitement of the public when they see the sights, sounds and smells of the event, knowing the hard work paid off.
“I sit at the entrance gate on my golf cart and watch people come in with such excitement on their faces, especially the kids,” Munz said. “That’s what we work for all year long, a very diligent staff, to see the gratification and appreciation on the public’s faces.”
Carnival
One of the staple events of the fair is the carnival, with amusement rides and food stands open daily.
This year’s carnival features the historic fair carousel, a nostalgic attraction that has been a part of the fair for decades, as well as the terrifying Mega Drop for thrill seekers.
The carnival opens at 11 a.m. Saturday through Monday and 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, closing each night at the management’s discretion.
Carnival attractions require either a carnival armband, which is valid for one day only, or ride credits. Both options are separate from general admission.
Advance armbands purchased online cost $25 for Monday through Thursday and $40 Friday through Sunday. In-person prices cost $35 on Monday through Wednesday, $25 on Thursday and $50 for Friday through Sunday.
Ride credits are available at kiosks on reloadable cards, usable throughout the fair’s duration. A card with 30 credits costs $35 dollars and 50 credits costs $50, with rides normally costing four to six credits.
Oklahoma State Fair 2025 map from event's website.
Music, theatre and art
Music and theatre are also big parts of this year’s fair with the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage showcasing some of America’s best upcoming musical talents.
Notable performances scheduled include Josiah Queen, who recently finished a sold-out headline tour with his contemporary christian beats, and Sister Sledge, a powerful girl group known for their iconic song We Are Family.
The new OG&E Coliseum will feature country music star Trace Adkins, with hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” on Sept. 17 as a part of the State Fair with opener Casey Donahew. Tickets can be bought online starting at $54.75.
During the fair at the OG&E Coliseum, there will be Disney On Ice shows Sept. 11 through 15. The performance, titled “Let’s Dance!” will feature familiar Disney characters grooving to well-loved beats.
Other thrilling performances happening at the State Fair include the Piccolo Zoppé Circus, showing jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics and aerial arts. The circus will perform two shows every weekday and three on the weekends.
Tumbleweed Crossing, a comedy gun-fight show with stunts and wild-west fun at the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, is also a must-see at the fair.
Art has a home at the state fair with the Oklahoma Student Art Exhibition, featuring hundreds of K-12 student’s art pieces for viewing at the fair.
Competitions
The Oklahoma State Fair competitions range from equine, creative arts, livestock, 4-H, wine and even arm-wrestling.
Creative arts contests include quilting, woodworking, baking, cooking, photography, painting and more.
Equestrian competitions are a big pull each year with shows for public viewing or animal and rider entry, including the Equine Empowerment Horse Show for equestrians with disabilities and veterans.
Many livestock and animal shows are hosted by the Oklahoma State Fair for beef cattle, swine, poultry and even llamas. Fair attendees are able to watch the shows, and competitors can register their animals online.
Wine lovers can enter their drinks into wine competitions at the fair and receive medals or Best of Show awards. The winning wines will be showcased for the rest of the fair in the Creative Arts Building.
The fair closes with an arm wrestling competition at The Sports Bar, featuring five for men’s weight classes and two for women’s. Quarter-finalists will receive an invitation for the final round at the Arizona State Fair in November.
Events
The Oklahoma Wildcatters will compete in the PBR Teams Challenge Event Sept. 19 through 21 at the OG&E Coliseum. Tickets are available online from $46 to $96 or at the fair box office.
The 73rd annual Band Day Parade Competition is Sept. 15 at The Circle. Colorguards, twirlers, mascots, drum lines and drum majors from junior, middle and high school bands will compete for cash prizes and trophies. The event is free to attend.
The Miss Oklahoma qualifying pageant will also take place at the fair, with Miss OSF and Miss Teen OSF competing Sept. 6, in the Modern Living Building. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Over 20 Oklahoma artists will each paint a 12-by-8-foot mural on the east side of the Circle as a part of the Oklahoma Mural Challenge on Sept. 13. These artists will only have one day to finish their paintings, but artwork will be present for viewing the rest of the fair on the General Pershing Median.
The Oklahoma Bison Association’s Bison Experience will run Sept. 18 through 21 at Barn 3, allowing visitors to see the state animal up close and learn from experts.
State Fair Gate tickets are $12 for adults and $7.50 for children aged 6 to 11. Season passes are available for digital purchase for $40.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Kylie Caldwell and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
