SHREVEPORT, La. — The State Fair of Louisiana is adding packages for business lunches, staff meetings and corporate outings as it prepares for its 120th annual run Oct. 29 through Nov. 15.
The new offerings give companies and organizations access to a private VIP tent for up to three hours, with two package options available. Organizers are marketing the space for employee appreciation events, board meetings, team-building outings, networking events and nonprofit gatherings.
The fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays. This year’s lineup includes more than 100 food vendors, more than 55 carnival rides, livestock competitions, concerts and special ticketed experiences.
Talley’s Amusements of Fort Worth, Texas, will return as the carnival operator. A new attraction will be the Freedom 250 Ferris Wheel, which organizers say appeared at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Agriculture and youth programs
Agriculture remains a central part of the fair, with Louisiana 4-H and FFA members participating in market animal shows, breeding shows and other competitions.
The Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council Junior Livestock Sale is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. in the State Fair Livestock Sale Arena. The auction features champions and other top-placing market animals, giving participating students an opportunity to earn money toward their college education.
The council is seeking companies and individuals interested in supporting animal purchases.
LSU AgCenter’s Ag Magic exhibit will return to the Agriculture Building with interactive activities focused on Louisiana agricultural products. Guided field trips will be available on selected days.
The LRCA Finals Rodeo will take place Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, featuring championship competition in events including bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping.
Food crawls and special experiences
The fair’s Food Crawl, hosted by Liz Swaine, will return Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. The $59 package includes samples from 10 food concessionaires, gate admission, a State Fair T-shirt and one Ferris wheel ride.
Other offerings include pre-rodeo hospitality events, children’s birthday party packages and a stuffed-animal building experience.
A new Halloween Midway Candy Crawl will take place Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participating concessionaires will distribute candy, and child admission will be $5 during the event. Outback Steakhouse and Rare Breed Motorcycle Club are sponsoring the activity.
Boots & Buckles, a Nov. 1 pre-rodeo event, will support the fair’s inaugural scholarship fund. Its package includes fair and rodeo admission, a catered meal and live music.
Admission and hours
Regular gate admission on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be $17 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 through 12. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, admission will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children younger than 3 enter free.
Parking will be free throughout the fair, and gate admission will be free until 3 p.m. on operating weekdays.
Advance online tickets are available through Oct. 28. Options include an $11.50 gate ticket and a $43.75 package combining gate admission with a carnival wristband.
The fair will open at 11 a.m. each operating day, closing at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and at 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Concerts and several attractions are included with gate admission. Visitors should review the fair’s clear bag requirements and its policy requiring minors younger than 18 to enter with an adult age 21 or older beginning at 6 p.m.
Additional information, ticket options and event schedules are available at statefairoflouisiana.com.