Another run of the Mississippi State Fair has come to an end, and officials are boasting that the 11-day extravaganza had an uptick in attendance and proved safe once again.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson announced Tuesday that around 514,000 visitors made their way to the fair during its 167th rendition. Last year, just under half a million people showed up to the fair.
No major incidents were reported at the fair this year. The last major incident at the state fair occurred in 2019, when chaos ensued after popping balloons at an on-site game were mistaken for gunshots. Multiple people were injured at the scene. The last major incident at the fairgrounds in Jackson occurred at the 2022 Mississippi Mudbug Festival, when gunshots rang out, leaving one dead and multiple injured.
Since then, Gipson has increased the presence of law enforcement at the fair and other events held on the fairgrounds. Since undergoing that effort, events have proven safer for guests.
“Thank you to our visitors, families and livestock exhibitors for making memories at this year’s Mississippi State Fair; to our vendors, small businesses and performers for their hard work; and to our cleaning crews for keeping the Fairgrounds ‘as clean every day as opening day,'” Gipson said in a news release.
“And a huge thank you to our men and women in uniform, our state, county, and local law enforcement and private security, who successfully executed the very best State Fair security plan,” Gipson continued. “Thanks to our law enforcement’s behind-the-scenes diligence and efforts, we had no security incidents again this year. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Fair a success.”
The popular Biscuit Booth was, once again, a frequented destination for fairgoers, Gipson said. A new item this year was the brisket biscuit, which was passed out free of charge to veterans and active military as part of the fair’s “Let Freedom Ring” theme in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States being an independent nation.
“Following the success of this year’s Mississippi State Fair, our team is already looking ahead to 2027 and working to deliver another outstanding event filled with exciting entertainment, community engagement, and a safe, family-friendly atmosphere,” Gipson said.
Before the next state fair rolls around, the Dixie National Rodeo will take place at the Mississippi Coliseum from Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 17-20, 2027. Tickets can be purchased here.