OKLAHOMA CITY — From September 17 to 27, Oklahoma City is alive with carnival music, and the smell of funnel cakes with the annual event thousands of Oklahomans look forward to. Even after 119 years of tradition, the Oklahoma State Fair is still finding ways to keep things fresh and new.
“We’re very cognizant of tradition, and we understand that there’s a lot of equity in 119 years worth of fairs,” Scott Munz, executive vice president of marketing at the Oklahoma State Fair, said. “People have created generational memories here, and we want to make sure that they’re able to continue with those, but we also want to possibly build on them.”
Tori Griffin was one of many people out at the state fair who makes it a tradition to come every year. Griffin said she “lives and breathes the fair.”
“You got to eat the good food. You got to walk around and enjoy the time,” Griffin said on opening day of the State Fair. “It’s only here for 10 days, so get out here before it’s gone.”
This year’s State Fair theme will sound familiar to many Oklahomans: “The Midway of the Mother Road.” This theme celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, especially honoring Oklahoma’s status as having more mileage of Route 66 than any other state. The name holds a double meaning, as Oklahoma not only appears close to the midway point of Route 66 on the map, but, of course, the “midway” is a reference to the fair itself.
Attendees can enjoy a Route 66 Family Fun Zone located in the Bennett Event Center, featuring a mini-golf course, all kinds of displays, a drive-in movie-esque screening of a Route 66 documentary, and virtual road trips. There will also be a Route 66 parade Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. with Route 66 historian Michael Wallace as Grand Marshall, the voice of the sheriff in the Pixar movie “Cars.” The Modern Living Building will also be home to a Route 66 salute at 10 a.m. Sept. 19.
“We’re really leaning into the Route 66 theme,” Munz said.
Route 66 isn’t the only piece of American history with a significant anniversary this year. As most folks know by now, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, known as “America250.” There will be a massive 230-foot portable observation wheel making its debut, with an American 250 theme. The fair will also feature the Freedom 250 Truck, a mobile museum celebrating American independence with interactive historical experiences, open through Sept. 22.
For the foodies
Fair food remains one of the event’s biggest draws, with more than 50 new items joining classics like cinnamon rolls and turkey legs.
This year’s new eats include pickle Dr. Pepper, ramen-crusted Korean corndog and perhaps the most State Fair-coded addition of all – deep-fried ranch. Beverages include fresh-squeezed lemonade, root beer in a jug, craft beer, frozen cocktails, and pickle lemonade.
The winners of the 2026 Great TASTE of a fair were recently announced, judged by a panel of local media anchors and reporters, food writers, content creators, and culinary professionals. Winners include Champions BBQ’s Sweet Heat Brisket Biscuit and a strawberry lemonade cobber in a cone.
This year, the State Fair is also partnering with James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Black, who crafted a mango bourbon pork rib with sides.
And the hallmark of a good fair food, according to Munz, is its walkability.
“If you’ve got something like corn, you either put it in a cup or put it on a stick, same with pizza or cheesecake,” Munz said. “I mean, they do walkability studies in metropolitan areas, but I think we should do walkability studies at the fair. It needs to be on a stick so that people can walk those calories off as they’re ingesting them.”
Visitors can track food stands using the Food Finder tool on the fair’s website.
New attractions
This year’s new attractions include YO HO HO! Hypnosis Show, a pirate-themed comedy hypnosis show daily on the Plaza Stage; Jurassic Bark Live, a prehistoric comedy show with stunt dogs on the Gordon Cooper lawn; All Star Pro Wrestling, a high-energy, family-friendly live professional wrestling match daily on the Gordon Cooper lawn; and Ultimate Bullfighters on Sept. 24, followed by Wildcatters vs. the World, a high-stakes PBR event, Sept. 25 and 26., both at the OG&E Coliseum.
The fair is also offering hands-on glassblowing workshops through IKONIC Glass in the Modern Living Building.
The daily fair lineup also stays fresh with returning events like Farmhand Olympics Sept. 19 and Board Game Bonanza Sept. 26. And another new highlight includes Film Friday on Sept. 18, done in partnership with deadCenter Film, a family-friendly short film exhibition and competition.
Other attractions include The Moving Mermaid, who fairgoers can interact with and take pictures with on her shell throne, and the Piccolo Zoppé Circus with acrobats, aerialists, and clowns.
The Lounge in The Pavilion, introduced just last year, offers cocktails, live music and music bingo. Other returning favorites include the nightly Laser Light Extravaganza, while animal lovers can look forward to exhibits like the Barnyard Birthing Center and the Great American Petting Farm. Many also look forward to the fair tradition of youth proudly showing their FFA and 4-H.
Indoors, the OG&E Coliseum is hosting major events, starting with “Disney On Ice: Jump In!” Sept. 17–20.
And on the outdoor Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage, multiple performers will light up the stage from Taylor Swift tribute singers to metal bands and country artists.
“We have a great talent lineup, and, on the Chickasaw stage, we’re leaning into red dirt and Route 66,” Munz said. “On the first Saturday, it’s the Route 66 Red Dirt Music Festival, which is the first time we’ve ever featured three performers with Wade Bowen, William Clark Green, and Cam Allen.”
Local and regional acts also join the Patio Stage and Bandshell, and attendees can catch the Band Day Parade Sept 21, featuring marching bands from across the state.
The carnival remains a centerpiece with classics like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Sky Eye Wheel and thrill rides like the Mega Drop. Families can also explore the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Wild West stunts and interactive exhibits. Plus, competitions, from baking to arm wrestling or agriculture, offer something for everyone.
Shoppers can also browse food, gifts, and more at the Bennet Event Center, and shop locally made goods at the Made in Oklahoma shop inside that same building.
“There’s a little something for everybody,” Munz told Free Press.
Planning your fair experience
Public attractions open at 10 a.m. daily. Exhibition buildings close at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday, while outdoor vendors are open 30 minutes later.
The youth attendance policy is still in place: after 5 p.m., anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone aged 25 or older.
The State Fair is also bringing back the Momentum Refresh Mobile Restroom and Universal Changing Station for accessibility. The fair also features dedicated calming stations and Sensory Friendly hours Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets at the gate are $17 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6–11, and free for children under 5. Visitors can take advantage of multiple deals, including:
- Military Monday: Free admission for active-duty and veterans.
- Taste of the Fair Tuesday: $4 admission, $4 food specials, and $4 Little Book of Big Deals, and $4 America 250 wheel rides.
- Thrifty Thursday: $10 admission, armbands for $25.
- Senior Day: Free admission Sept. 2.
- College Day – $5 gate admission for students with a college ID Sept. 24.
The “Little Book of BIG DEALS,” with more than $250 in coupons, is also available at ticket booths and info stands.
Since 1907, the state fair has been home to date nights, friend group outings, family traditions, and more, and it all continues this year with new highlights and returning favorites.
Full information can be found on the fair’s website.
Zoe Elrod covers events and happenings around Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her skill as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks.
