The Oklahoma State Fair
I’m a huge fan of the Oklahoma State Fair. I love the food, the rides, the exhibits and the people watching. This year the state fair is from Thursday, September 16 to Sunday, September 26 so I thought I’d write up a list of all the fun stuff to do.
And answer me this – what’s your favorite thing about the State Fair?
First off, wanted to list kid-friendly activities at the fair: 
Disney On Ice – This event is at State Fair Arena with performances daily from September 16 through September 21. The kids will love seeing Disney characters celebrating holidays and festivals from around the world!
Rides and Games – Of course there are a ton of rides for the kids at the state fair! A few of the kid-friendly rides include:
Bear Affair
Bumble Bee
Choo Choo Charlie
Crazy Plane
Light House
Monkey Mayhem and many others
Most of the kiddie rides require the kids to be 36” tall (3 feet).
But, if your child isn’t quite tall enough for the above rides, the rides below allow anyone 30” tall to ride:
Kiddie Bumper Boats
Dune Buggies
Go-Gator
Space Age Whales
All of these rides open at noon Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. Friday through Sunday and stay open until close.
Dr. Pepper Family Fun Zone – These events are open daily. Additional fees apply.
Super Stock Car Racers – Race to the checkered flag in a mini stock car.
The Creature “Tour the Beast” – Explore a 150 foot long dinosaur!
Turbo Jump – Hook up to a bungee cord and fly 30 feet into the air!
Rock Wall – Test your skills on this 25 foot climb.
Euro Bubbles – Get zipped up in a 6 foot clear ball in water…and try to keep your balance!
Amazon Adventure – See if you can find your way through this 200 foot maze!
Gone Fish’n Slide – Slide down a 33 foot tall inflatable slide!
Jungle Gym – Fun for little kids, this allows you to crawl, slide, swing and jump.
The Pirate Museum – Love Captain Jack Sparrow? Don’t miss this mini museum filled with pirate artifacts.
Exotic Creatures Tent – Do you love snakes, 2-headed turtles and other odd creatures? Find them here!
Other kid-friendly events to check out, include:
Sea Lion Splash – 3 shows daily at 2, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. on the Bandshell Lawn. FREE with State Fair admission! See these sea lions as they charm the audience with their spell-binding personalities and comic antics.
The Ultimate Kids’ Sandbox – Open daily 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on the Bandshell Lawn. Kids can find their inner artist while sculpting sand creations in this giant 400 sq. foot sandbox.
Bubble Madness - 3 Daily Shows at 12:30, 2:30 & 5 p.m. on the Bandshell Stage. Come pop, chase and catch bubbles of all shapes and sizes.
Kids’ Creation Station – Daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Creative Arts Building
All About Science – 3 Daily Shows at 12:30, 4:30 & 6 p.m. in the Entertainment Plaza – Interactive show for the entire family!
Freddy Fusion Science Magic Show – 3 daily shows at 1, 3 & 7 p.m. in the Capital City Theatre in Barn 3. Freddy Fusion uses comedy and magic to teach kids about the awesome world of science.
JUMP! The Ultimate Stunt Dog Show – 3 shows daily at 2:30 , 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza. See Lou McCammon, a two-time World Champion Frisbee Dog Trainer and his canine crew amaze you with their stunts and jumps!
Regan the Entertainer – 3 shows daily at 1:30, 4 & 7 p.m. at the OPUBCO Pavilion. See this show that has it all, including ventriloquism, slapstick, magic, illusion, music and stand-up comedy!
Shenaniguns! Wild West Comedy Stunt Show – 3 shows daily at 2, 3:30, 5:30 & 7 p.m. at 14 Flags Plaza. See a quartet of cut-up cowboys as they fire off a laugh-a-minute load of funny one-liners, silly sight gags and crack-up cornball comedy!
OKC Thunder Girls, Rumble the Bison and the Thunder Drummers – 2 & 6 p.m. on the following days: Sept. 17, 18, 24, 25 & 26 at the OPUBCO Pavilion. 
Livestock Shows – Daily livestock shows, featuring cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, and llamas.
Hedrick’s Petting Zoo – Open daily at 10 a.m. at Centennial Plaza. Get up close and personal with your favorite exotic and domestic animal friends.
Hedrick’s Pony & Camel Rides – Open daily at 10 a.m. at Centennial Plaza. Great for both kids and adults!
The OK Kids’ Corral – Including the stick horse rodeo, dummy roping clinic or the new Sack Racin’ Stampede. Located at 14 Flags Plaza.
Sack Racin’ Stampede: Daily • 11:30, 2:30, & 5:00 p.m.
Roping Clinic: Daily • 12:00, 4:00, & 6:00 p.m.
Stick Horse Rodeo: Daily • 12:30, 3:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Li’l Wrangler Photo Op: Daily • 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Rowdy Rooster Puppet Show – 3 shows daily at 12:30, 4:30 & 6:00 p.m. in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. Check out Rowdy as he delights kids of all ages in this barnyard puppet adventure!
Honey Bee Haven – Open daily at 10 a.m. in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. See if you can identify Queen BeeAtrice and find out how beekeepers get honey from the hive.
Butterfly Boarding House – Open daily at 10 a.m. in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. See beautiful butterflies as they rest their wings.
Farmer for a Day – Open daily at 10 a.m. in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. Kids can plan a crop, water an orchard, pick apples, gather eggs and dig up potatoes. Then, it’s off to the Farmer’s Market to sell their produce! From the profit, they can then go to the General Store to buy a Fair souvenir or treat.
And much more!
Other events scheduled to appeal to more grown-up tastes include:
Concerts at the Chesapeake Energy Stage. Concerts are FREE with park admission!
Eli Young Band Thursday, September 16, 7:30 p.m.
Grand Funk Railroad Friday, September 17, 7:30 p.m.
Candy Coburn Saturday, September 18, 2:00 p.m.
The Marshall Tucker Band with Candy Coburn Saturday, September 18, 8:00 p.m.
Mitchel Musso Sunday, September 19, 3:00 p.m.
Tenth Avenue North with Addison Road & Matt Maher Monday, September 20, 7:30 p.m.
Elvis Extravaganza Tuesday, September 21, 7:30 p.m. & Wednesday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.
Colgate Country Showdown Thursday, September 23, 7:30 p.m.
MC Hammer Friday, September 24, 7:30 p.m.
Matt Morris Saturday, September 25, 8:00 p.m.
Centennial Rodeo Opry Sunday, September 26, 3:00 p.m.
The Okie Karaoke Contest – presented by Clear Channel Radio for the quest to find an Okie Karaoke Star! Meet DJ’s from your favorite local stations, including KJ103 and 101.9 The Twister, and sing your heart out for your chance to win! The event is held at Centennial Plaza.
Events at 14 Flags Plaza include:
The One-Armed Bandit 2 daily shows at 1 & 7 p.m. One of the most decorated acts in the world of professional rodeo, John Payne has won the PRCA’s coveted title of Specialty Act of the Year 9 times. This act is the only one like it in the world. It truly is a “must see to believe experience.”
The Trail of Tears Experience - 2 daily shows at 1 and 7 p.m. As they forge across the plains, death is inevitable for both humans and animals alike. Recapture the emotions as Blake Goode takes his Brahman Bulls on the trail.
Entertainment to the “Max” – 3 daily shows at 1, 4:30 & 7 p.m. Pistol packin’, gun spinnin’, whip cracking entertainment by one the country’s top performers, Max Reynolds has been featured on television shows and at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Trick Ropin’ Extraordinaire – 5 daily shows at 12:30, 1, 4:15, 6:30 and 7 p.m. The Gratny Family has performed all over the Country including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The whole family has talent. He, his wife and daughter all trick ride.
Shenaniguns! – 4 daily shows at 2, 3:30, 5:30 & 7 p.m. Laugh ’til yer gut hurts as The Wild West goes whack-o when Sheriff Hoppalong Casually and Deputy Leon Jones strap on big iron and face off against dimwit desperadoes Bad Bob and bumbling baby brother Bubba Bob.
Plains Indian Dancers – 3 daily shows at 3, 5 & 7 p.m.Under the direction of Laura Bushyhead, the color and pageantry of Native America lives on in the daily performances by some of Oklahoma’s best dancers.
Wild West Stunt Riders – 3 daily shows at 11:30 a.m., 1 & 7 p.m. Horsemen demonstrate their equine skills through various riding techniques including trick and roman riding.
The Centennial Frontier Cloggers – 4 daily shows at 1, 4, 6 & 7 p.m. Hold on to yer hat as three Oklahoma clogging clubs, City with Just a Lil’ Country Cloggers, Cottonwood Creek Cloggers, and The Okie Stompers, combine forces to bring you the ultimate toe-tappin’ show.
Dustbowl Gypsies – 4 daily shows at 12, 1, 4 & 7 p.m. Dustbowl Gypsies have been brightening the lives of Bluegrass fans in the southwest for the past five years with their high-energy performances, tight harmonies and instrumental virtuosity.
The Saltfork Craftsmen Artists: Blacksmiths – Monday – Friday 1 – 7 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. This group of Artisan Blacksmiths return for their 2nd year to enlighten fairgoers about the art and skill of blacksmithing.
Roger Abrahamson: Bowl Turner – Monday – Friday 1 – 7 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. He will show you how wooden bowl turning is done on a human powered spring pole lathe, a lost art dating back thousands of years.
Historical Education Exhibits – Daily from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Discover Oklahoma history through displays of live Longhorn, horses & buffalo as well as life-size teepees and a chuck wagon camp.
Comedy Hypnotists Dale K – 2 shows daily at 2 & 5 p.m. at the Capital City Theater in Barn 3. Dale K challenges hypnosis theories, proving that it is simply the power of suggestion that consists of mind “motivation’ rather than “control”.
TNA Wrestling Live – Don’t miss this knock-out event on Thursday, September 23. Tickets are on sale now. The evening has three bouts with the Main Event, TNA World Tag Team Championship Match and TNA Knockouts Grudge Match.
Xtreme Bulls Tour and Concerts 
Bulls & Brawn featuring Josh Turner, Friday, September 24
8 Second Ride featuring Jake Owen, Saturday, September 25
Bandshell Stage featuring Oklahoma artists – Daily from 10 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. with local artists exhibiting their talents.
DriveOKC.com Auto Show – Open daily. Travel & Transportation Building. See the latest cars from Exhibitors including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and others.
THE CONNECTION! in the Oklahoma Expo Hall, is host to several unique exhibits and entertaining shows:
Vineyard Marketplace Wine Garden – Open daily in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. Pay a small price to taste wines from seven of Oklahoma’s finest wineries!
The City of AGtropolis – Open daily in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. In this whimsical “City” of AGtropolis there’s always something new coming down the street, including:
The Rowdy Rooster Puppet Show
Log Cabin Hand Spinning Guild
Honey Bee Haven
Goat’s Milk Soap Making
3 Silos Cinema
All exhibits open daily at 10 a.m.
Presentations on the Green Station Platform include:
Central Oklahoma Humane Society
Chickasaw Nation Storyteller
Dr. Bob Palmer – Muralist
Fort Gibson Living History
OKC Improv
OKC Roller Derby
Oklahoma City Barons
Oklahoma History Center
Rick Fry – Muralist
Science Museum Oklahoma
Musical Performances on the Blue Station Platform in the Vineyard Marketplace include:
ACM@UCO (various groups)
Anna Lee
Bare Foot
Dust Bowl Gypsies
Jack Downs
Kylie Morgan
OK Chorale Quartets
Barnyard Birthing Center – Open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the Oklahoma Expo Hall. Mother Nature dictates all, but you may get lucky enough to actually see a chick hatching or the birth of a goat or pig.
Animal Surgical Suite – Monday – Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Friday – Sunday at 2 & 6:30 p.m. at Barn #3. The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) veterinarians will perform surgeries to show the entire spaying process of a female dog!
City Arts Center – Daily at 10 a.m. Each year, teachers from schools across the state enter original artwork from students in grades K-12 for selection into the exhibition.
Creative Arts Special Events & Exhibits – The Creative Arts building at the Oklahoma State Fair features beautiful and unique handmade exhibits by Oklahoma crafters and artisans. In addition to the items on display, many different exciting events will take place every day of the Fair!
FFA & 4H Student Exhibits – Open daily at 10 a.m. Oklahoma FFA and 4H students work hard all year to get their projects ready for the Fair in hopes of winning a blue ribbon! Get out of the hot sun and check out the talents of these students.
Clydesdale Alley – Open daily in the Super Barn. Don’t miss these beautiful and behemoth horses presented by Express Clydesdales.
Canadian Rivers Old Iron Club Antique Tractor Display & Parade - See these amazingly preserved beauties on Wichita Walk between the Oklahoma Expo Hall and the Cox Pavilion. These vehicles will also be in the parade, which will take place on Wednesday, September 22 at noon.
Spirit of Oklahoma Plaza - Open Daily General Pershing Boulevard under the Big Arch
Miss Oklahoma State Fair Scholarship Pageant 
Miss Oklahoma State Fair Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant
Oklahoma State Fair Opening & Closing Ceremonies
La Independencia de México
Oklahoma State Fair All Star Kids of the Pageant – Saturday, September 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. For kids up to 17 years old! Win trophies, crowns, banners and prizes and get to ride in the Oklahoma State Fair Senior Day Parade.
59th Annual Band Day – Monday, September 20 Come watch as high school, mid-high and junior high school bands and their drum lines, drum majors and color guard teams, from across the state, compete for Cash Awards & Trophies in the 59th Annual Oklahoma State Fair® Band Day Parade Competition!
34th Annual Senior Citizens’ Day – Wednesday, September 22, all Senior Ceitizens 55 and over will be admitted to the fair FREE this day.
6th Annual Deaf Awareness Day – Thursday, September 23 - If you are deaf or hard of hearing, special activities abound for you this day! At designated times throughout the day, many Fair attractions and entertainment will be interpreted. These shows will be highlighted in red in the Oklahoma State Fair®. Visitor’s Guide.
ASC Cheerleading, Dance & Pom Pon Regional Competition – Saturday, September 25 at the Bandshell Stage. Witness the most “spirited” event held at the Fair as Cheerleading, Dance and Pom Pon teams compete for the regional title and the chance to advance to the National competition!
3rd Annual Oklahoma State Fair Armwrestling Classic – Sunday, September 26 at the Bandshell Stage. Men and women can register the day of the event to enter this FREE strong-arm competition. There will be two afternoon preliminary rounds with the finals commencing at 6:00 p.m. Here’s your chance to be this year’s Fair Champion, take home a trophy, bragging rights and represent the Oklahoma State Fair in the National finals in Arizona.
Whew! That’s a whole lotta stuff to keep you busy during the next week and a half. Visit wimgo.com and search “State Fair” for details and be sure to let us know what’s to love at the 104th Oklahoma State Fair!
-Wendy with wimgo
Info courtesy of wimgo.com and okstatefair.com.
