Oklahoma State Fair Announces 2026 Special Events Lineup Featuring Route 66 Centennial, Film Friday, and Community Celebrations
The Oklahoma State Fair has lined up several featured special events for fairgoers to experience throughout its 11-day run at OKC Fair Park, highlighting Oklahoma-made storytelling, Mother Road heritage, family entertainment, and statewide health initiatives.
Film Friday
- Date: Friday, September 18
- Time: Noon to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Modern Living Building
- deadCenter and the Oklahoma State Fair team up to screen films shot and produced in Oklahoma for the inaugural Film Friday at the Fair. Attendees can catch screenings highlighting the best selections from film festivals across the state and connect directly with prominent Oklahoma filmmakers, production houses, and film schools.
Route 66 Centennial Salute and Parade
- Date: Saturday, September 19
- Time: Noon to 7:00 p.m. (Parade steps off at 2:00 p.m.)
- Location: Modern Living Building and Fair Park Parade Route
- Fairgoers can take part in a special tribute commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. The event features specialized vendors, live entertainment, and free hands-on craft activities. Grand Marshals Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell and author and historian Michael Wallis invite the public to line the parade route at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate Oklahoma’s heritage.
Family Fun Day
- Date: Sunday, September 20
- Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Ahead of the “Let’s Sing Taylor” concert on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage, the Fair offers an afternoon of family-friendly, concert-themed activities. Guests can enjoy a costume contest, friendship bracelet making and swapping, face painting, musical games, and dancing.
WoW Fest! (Working on Wellness)
- Date: Thursday, September 24
- Time: Noon to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Modern Living Building
- Presented in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Health, WoW Fest connects fair visitors with vital health and wellness resources. Complimentary on-site screenings will be available, including services from the Public Health on the Go (PHOG) mobile unit and the Mammogram Bus. Attendees can also visit with childhood cancer survivors and explore community wellness programs.
2026 Great TASTE of a Fair Winners Announced at the Oklahoma State Fair
Thirty Oklahoma State Fair food vendors went head-to-head on Wednesday, September 16 in the annual Great TASTE of a Fair food competition. Vendors competed in one of four categories: New to the Scene, Slice of Savory, Sips & Swigs, and Sweetest of the Sweet. A group of local restaurateurs acted as judges of the competition.
The rankings are as follows:
New to the Scene
- First Place: Korean BBQ Beef Skewer, 1907
- Second Place: Deep Fried Hawaiian Rolls, The Bacon Habit
- Third Place: The Original Cinn Ice Cream Bar, Wondervan Pops
Slice of Savory
- First Place: Sweet Heat Brisket Biscuit, Champions BBQ
- Second Place: Plantain Bowl, Afrikan Delights
- Third Place: Buldak Carbonara Ramen Korean Corn Dog, Chan’s Eatery
Sips & Swigs
- First Place: Totally Strawberry Lemonade, The Bacon Habit
- Second Place: Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade, Deep Fried Mashed Potatoes
- Third Place: Brown Butter Buzz, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee
Sweetest of the Sweet
- First Place: Strawberry Lemonade Cobbler In A Cone, The Original Cobbler in a Cone
- Second Place: Route 66 Mother Rocky Road Pie, Cutie Pies
- Third Place: K-Pop Marsh Mellow Ice Cream, Dragon Street Eats
The first-place winners of each category went on to compete in the FAIRest of Them All. This portion of the competition was judged by Chef Kevin Lee, owner of Maht and Birdies, a James Beard nominee, and Food Network chef.
Lee named the Sweet Heat Brisket Biscuit from Champions BBQ as the 2026 FAIRest of Them All. Champions BBQ is located at the intersection of Gordon Cooper Boulevard and Wichita Walk.
Livestock Show:
Livestock exhibitors and agricultural youth across the region are set to take the stage at OKC Fair Park for the 2026 Oklahoma State Fair, running September 17–27, 2026. The Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Oklahoma State Fair are proud to partner and present the Exposition for the Youth of Oklahoma, EYO. These two forces have come together to provide an elevated fair experience geared specifically for livestock exhibitors. The EYO will be held in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City.
The team at the Oklahoma Youth Expo will manage the junior swine, junior sheep, junior goat, and junior and open cattle shows at the Oklahoma State Fair under the name, EYO.
The livestock competitions feature extensive show schedules across multiple species divisions, youth contests, and static exhibits, coordinated through the Oklahoma State Fair AgriBusiness Department and the Extension Youth Organization
2026 Oklahoma State Fair Weekend Livestock Ring Schedule
Here is the livestock schedule for opening weekend at OKC Fair Park:
Saturday, September 19, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) Skillathon (Barn 8)
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Junior Market Wether Goat Show (Barn 1)
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Junior Market Wether Lamb Show (Barn 1)
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Junior Market Barrow Show and Youth Commercial Gilt Show (Barn 8)
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Open/Junior Dairy Cattle Show (Barn 3)
- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | NJSA Crossbred Gilt Show and Purebred Gilt Show (Barn 8)
- Purebred breeds: Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Hereford, Landrace, Poland China, Spot, Tamworth, and Yorkshire
Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Breeding gilt and market hog drive continuations (Barn 8 Arena)
- Youth breeding doe and breeding ewe breed exhibitions (Barn 1 Arena)
- Dairy cattle open/junior breed classes and showmanship finals (Barn 3)
Following the opening weekend slate, livestock competitions, youth judging contests, and specialty equine events continue across the OKC Fair Park grounds throughout the second week of the fair.
Monday, September 21
- 9:00 AM | Open Pygmy Goat Show (Shows A and B) (Barn 1 Arena)
- 10:00 AM | 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging Contest (Barn 8 Arena)
- 10:00 AM | 4-H & FFA Dairy Cattle Judging Contest (Barn 3)
- 10:00 AM | Open Breeding Sheep Show and Regional Natural Colored Wool Growers Sheep & Fleece Show (Barn 1 Arena)
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Wool Spinning Demonstrations (Barn 1 Arena East)
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Exposure Livestock Docs / Rural Vet Demonstration presented by OSU Extension (Barn 3)
Tuesday, September 22
- 9:00 AM | Equine Empowerment Horse Show (Performance Arena) – Competition highlighting equestrians with disabilities and military veterans
Thursday, September 24
- 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Oklahoma Horizon Horse Show (Barn 8 Arena) – Featuring American Saddlebreds and saddleseat performance breeds
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Hall of Champions Stall Walk & Exhibitor Meet-and-Greet (Barn 8 Stalls)
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Horse Show Class Demonstrations & Protocol Review (Barn 8 Arena)
Friday, September 25
- 8:00 AM | Oklahoma State Fair Heavy Horse Show (Performance Arena) – Featuring Draft, Friesian, Gypsy, Drum, and Farm Team hitch classes
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Oklahoma Horizon Horse Show (Barn 8 Arena)
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Hall of Champions Stall Exhibition (Barn 8 Stalls)
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Open Llama & Alpaca Show (Day 1) (Barn 8 Arena)
Saturday, September 26
- 8:00 AM | Heavy Horse Show Continued (Performance Arena)
- 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Open Llama & Alpaca Show (Day 2) (Barn 8 Arena) – Halter, performance, and obstacle courses
Sunday, September 27
- 8:00 AM | Heavy Horse Show Concluding Drives and Farm Team Events (Performance Arena)
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Oklahoma State Fair Stock Dog Trials (Barn 8 Arena)
(Note: Public gates open at 11:00 AM on weekends, but exhibitors and visitors attending livestock rings prior to 10:00 AM can enter through the barn-area gates.)
Agtropolis Education Adventure:
AGtropolis is not a petting zoo – it is an agricultural education adventure! AGtropolis presents Oklahoma’s rich agricultural industry in a kid-friendly environment, allowing children a first-hand look at the farm-to-market process. With animals, exhibits and demonstrations around every corner, AGtropolis is one of the most visited destinations at the State Fair!
Demonstrations, Information, & Education
There will be daily demonstrations including honey extraction, live milk production, and interactive kiosks provided by Southwest Dairy and more. The Insect Adventure is back with expert entomologists from OSU who will be on hand throughout the State Fair to give you the best in insect education.
Thanks to the Oklahoma FFA Chapters assisting with AGtropolis!
Oklahoma High School FFA Chapters assist as ambassadors and caretakers in AGtropolis. We could not provide this wonderful agricultural learning experience without the dedication and expertise of the FFA students. They will be happy to share their knowledge and experiences with you as they guide you through AGtropolis.
Exhibits and Displays
With more than 78,000 ranches across the state, it’s not surprising that beef is tops in Oklahoma agriculture. On display this year, brought to us by the Oklahoma State University Extension Service, will be a faux-representative of the beef industry: the Hereford Dystocia Simulator – a cow that will exhibit the miracle and mechanics of a calf birth. You can compare the depicted bovine with a sign indicating where a succulent steak or most excellent hamburger would be derived from. Where’s Your Beef?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? AGtropolis features a lovely live chicken exhibit – where you can watch a variety of colorful, mature chickens intermingle, eat and roost. Then visit the hatcheries and incubators to see the initial stages of egg hatching and growth. You will be amazed at the process!
The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association oversees the Barnyard Birthing Center and makes sure that the sows and goats are comfortable as they prepare to birth their offspring, scheduled to be born during the Fair. You may get to witness a live birth – or at least some darling, brand-new baby farm critters.
So many other animals, displays, and exhibits to visit in AGtropolis! Take time to visit Goat Mountain, The Rabbit Hutch, and the ultimate farming experience for youngsters: Farmer for A Day! We are grateful to the animal providers and professionals in these agricultural industries that can help you learn the importance of farming and where many of your meals may come from.
Tomorrow is Senior Day! The 49th Annual Senior Day Energized by OG&E takes place at the Oklahoma State Fair on Wednesday, September 23. This special event is dedicated to celebrating and empowering seniors age 55 and up, featuring free fair admission all day for guests in that age group. This year’s theme, “Get Your Kicks at Senior Day 26’,” celebrates 100 years of Route 66 with a full day of celebration, nostalgia, and enrichment.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Location: Oklahoma State Fair, Modern Living Building
Featured Activities and Highlights
- Gate Admission: Free admission all day for ages 55 and older (valid photo I.D. required)
- Health Screenings: Complimentary wellness and health checks
- Live Entertainment: Music and dancing throughout the day
- Video Contest: An opportunity for attendees to showcase their creativity and dance moves
- Interactive Activities: Fun games and engaging entertainment
- Prizes and Giveaways: Souvenirs, drawings, and prizes for attendees
Senior Day Energized by OG&E is a cherished tradition designed to bring the senior community together for fun, wellness, and connection while celebrating the historic milestone of Route 66.
And here’s your State Fair Food guide!
Oklahoma State Fair Unveils Over 50 New Food Creations for 2026
Fairgoers can look forward to more than 50 new culinary creations coming to the Oklahoma State Fair this September. All food vendor information, including specific booth locations, will be available on okstatefair.com in the coming weeks.
Savory Items
- Mango Bourbon Pork Ribs (Chef Andrew Black Perle Mesta Pop-Up): Slow-smoked pork baby back ribs glazed with a sweet and tangy mango BBQ sauce, brought to the Fair by James Beard Award winner Chef Andrew Black.
- Korean BBQ Beef Skewer (1907): Tender strips of beef marinated in savory-sweet Korean bulgogi sauce, flame-grilled and served on a skewer, finished with creamy Hatch green chile aioli.
- Pork Belly Lollipop (1907): Hand-rolled and skewered house-cut pork belly, smoked low and slow, sauced with a Dr Pepper BBQ glaze, and caramelized to perfection.
- Suya Lamb Kebab (Afrikan Delights): Tender pieces of lamb seasoned with West African suya spices, grilled until juicy for a smoky, flavorful bite.
- Plantain Bowl (Afrikan Delights): A West African inspired bowl featuring sweet caramelized fried plantains, fresh vegetables, choice of chicken, lamb, or beef, and finished with flavorful sauce and toppings. Vegan options are available.
- Birria Ramen (Bad Boys BBQ): Ramen served in rich birria broth with slow-cooked birria, fresh cilantro, diced onion, and a lime wedge.
- Big G’s Famous Bourbon Chicken (Big G’s): Tender chicken glazed in signature sweet-and-savory bourbon sauce, served over fluffy Cajun rice.
- Sweet Heat Brisket Biscuit (Champions BBQ): Smoked brisket served on a buttermilk biscuit, topped with bacon jam, cowboy candy, sweet chili aioli, and hot honey.
- Buldak Carbonara Ramen Korean Corndog (Chan’s Eatery): Half mozzarella cheese and half hot dog, coated in crispy Buldak carbonara ramen noodles, dusted with cheesy seasoning, and finished with creamy, spicy Buldak carbonara sauce.
- Deep-Fried Ranch (Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes): Ranch-flavored filling wrapped in dough, breaded in crispy panko, deep fried, and topped with Nashville hot oil and ranch seasoning.
- Mac N Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf (Eli’s Soul Food): Savory meatloaf stuffed with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with barbecue sauce.
- Fried Cajun Chicken On-A-Stick (FryDay Concessions): Two tender chicken thighs hand-breaded in signature Cajun seasoning, skewered, and fried golden brown.
- Donut Smash Burger (FryDay Concessions): Crispy smash burger with grilled onions and cheddar on a glazed yeast donut, topped with bacon jam, dill pickles, fried onion strings, and chipotle mayo.
- Good Belly Burger (Good Burger): A house-made 6-ounce burger topped with thick-cut pork belly, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and fried onions.
- Tex-Mex Burger (Granny’s Cheesecake): Flame-grilled beef patty topped with creamy Tex-Mex slaw, charred corn, black beans, diced jalapeños, and zesty lime-cilantro dressing.
- Al Pastor Fries (Ledesmas): Golden fries piled with al pastor pork, melted cheese, cilantro, diced onion, pineapple, and creamy avocado-pineapple aioli.
- Scotch Egg On-A-Stick (Pioneer Wagon): Hard-boiled egg wrapped in seasoned sausage, coated in breadcrumbs, and cooked crisp.
- Panini Sandwiches (Poppin’ Okies): Grilled French bread with customizable choices of meats and cheeses.
- Brisket Cheese Curd Taco “Rodeo Taco” (Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos): Smoked sliced beef brisket and fried cheddar cheese curds inside a fried flour tortilla shell, topped with cabbage slaw and barbecue aioli.
- Chicken Al Pastor Calzone (Rodney & Lisa Double Stuffed Pizza): Open-pocket calzone stuffed with al pastor-marinated grilled chicken, bell peppers, onions, pineapple, provolone, and mozzarella cheese.
- Loaded Sausage Waffle On-A-Stick (Waffle Chix): Breakfast sausage baked inside a Belgian waffle and topped with sausage gravy, bacon, and cheese.
Sweet Treats
- Strawberry Cotton Candy Puff Puff (Afrikan Delights): Warm West African puff puff drizzled with strawberry sauce and topped with cotton candy.
- Poundcake Corndog (All American): Deep-fried pound cake on a stick dusted with powdered sugar and topped with strawberry and caramel sauce.
- Sweet Puff on a Stick (Bofloto by Afrikan Delights): Warm beignets served on a stick with choice of chocolate, caramel, condensed milk, cotton candy, white chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter, or cookie butter sauce, finished with varied sweet toppings.
- The Dirty Cookie Dog (Brown’s Strawberry Crepes): Skewered fudge-centered OREO cookie topped with cookie dough, dipped in corndog batter, deep fried, and finished with powdered sugar, fudge, vanilla drizzle, and OREO crumbles.
- Cookie Crepe (Brown’s Strawberry Crepes): Crepe loaded with vanilla custard, crushed OREOs, and vanilla cream, topped with whipped cream.
- Cookie Monster Crepe (Brown’s Strawberry Crepes): Decadent crepe loaded with double vanilla custard, crushed OREOs, vanilla cream, whipped cream, and extra crumbles.
- Strawberry Lemonade Cobbler in a Cone (Cobbler in a Cone): Warm strawberry cobbler topped with lemonade ice cream and served in a cone.
- Cookie Dough Eggroll (Cookie Dough Monsters): Edible chocolate chip cookie dough rolled in an egg roll wrapper, deep fried, and topped with powdered sugar and chocolate drizzle.
- Chunky Monkey Pie (Cutie Pies Concessions): Layers of chocolate brownie and banana cheesecake filling topped with fresh bananas, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and peanuts.
- Mother Rocky Road Pie (Cutie Pies Concessions): Six-inch chocolate cookie crust filled with chocolate cream pie filling, mini marshmallows, toasted almonds, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.
- Tropical Punch and Blue Raspberry Pineapple Fruit (Dairy Bar): Fresh pineapple slices soaked in Kool-Aid.
- K-Pop Marshmallow Ice Cream (Dragon Street Eats): Ice cream and chocolate wafer covered in fluffy marshmallow, flame-toasted on demand.
- Dubai Chocolate Covered Cheesecake (Granny’s Cheesecake & More): Chocolate-dipped cheesecake topped with Dubai-style chocolate and crispy kataifi.
- Cheesecake Taco (Granny’s Cheesecake & More): Chocolate-dipped dessert shell filled with cheesecake and fresh strawberry slices.
- Churro Korean Corndog (Korean Corndog): Mozzarella-filled Korean corndog covered in Cinnamon Toast Crunch, tossed in cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.
- Very Berry Nerdy Watermelon (Rush Springs Watermelon): Fresh watermelon spear wrapped in Fruit Roll-Ups, dusted with sour seasoning, and covered in berry NERDS.
- Deep-Fried Hawaiian Rolls (The Bacon Habit): Crispy deep-fried Hawaiian rolls tossed in cinnamon sugar and finished with sweet cream cheese frosting.
- Cookie Butter Cheesecake Bites On-A-Stick (Wade Shows Funnel Cake): Battered, deep-fried cheesecake bites topped with cookie butter, Biscoff crumbles, and white chocolate.
- Fried OREO Cheesecake Bites On-A-Stick (Wade Shows Funnel Cake): Battered and fried cheesecake bites dusted with powdered sugar, white chocolate, and OREO crumbles.
- The Original Cinn (Wondervan Pops): Brown sugar cinnamon ice cream dipped in semi-sweet chocolate and coated in Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
- Cheesecake Colada (Your Just Desserts): New York-style cheesecake dipped in pineapple white chocolate and rolled in fresh coconut flakes.
Beverages
- NEON Dreamsicle Energy (A Latte Love): Handcrafted orange cream and strawberry energy drink infused with green coffee extract, L-theanine, vitamin B12, and guarana.
- Strawberry Crunch Horchata (Agua Fresca): Horchata blended with fresh strawberries, served in a cup rimmed with strawberry cream and crunch topping.
- Tropical Hibiscus (Bofloto by Afrikan Delights): Hibiscus blended with tropical fruit flavors, served inside a fresh pineapple.
- Lem-A-Lani (Brown’s Concessions): Fresh-squeezed lemonade mixed with Alani Nu Cherry Slush energy drink, topped with NERDS Gummy Clusters.
- Mango Sticky Rice Refresher (Chan’s Eatery): Coconut milk and sweet mango drink served with a mango sugar rim, dried mango, and fresh mango chunks.
- Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade (Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes): Fresh lemonade made with hot honey and popping juice pearls, garnished with two hot honey chicken nuggets.
- Frosted Lemonade (FryDay Ice Cream Cone): Tangy lemonade blended with vanilla soft serve.
- Totally Strawberry Lemonade (The Bacon Habit): Sweet and tangy strawberry lemonade featuring a colorful pop-icon-inspired presentation.
- Pickle Dr Pepper (The Bacon Habit): Dr Pepper combined with tangy pickle flavor.
- Brown Butter Buzz (Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck): Brown butter cold brew topped with maple cold foam.
For more fun things to do at the fair, visit their website!
