The 2026 Mississippi State Fair comes to a close - WAPT

The 2026 Mississippi State Fair comes to a closeCrowds gathered at the Jackson State Fair Sunday to enjoy rides, food, and a sense of community for one last time before the festival closes for the yearJACKSON, Miss. —Cars filled the parking lot, from early in the day and until late at night, as people came together for one last chance to experience the Mississippi State Fair. "I think, so far, it's the culture," local Jackson native Gabrielle Johnson said. "The culture of Jackson, this is beautiful to see it all come together as a community and be here to celebrate the State Fair. It's just amazing to me. "Chris Tankesly shared his thoughts on the fair's atmosphere. "The Jackson Fair has caught a bad rep in the past, but we feel 100% safe. The food is great, it's very well organized, it's just a great family time," he said. Attendance at the fairgrounds increased this year compared to last. Deputy Director of ther Mississippi Fairgrounds Justin Nipper said that on Sunday, they were only 2,000 patrons away from surpassing last year's totals. A mark, he said, could be reach in an hour, and he attributed that increase to the community's trust in the event.