What the Kansas State Fair Is
The Kansas State Fair bills itself as the World's Largest Gathering of Kansans. For ten days every September the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson fill with livestock shows, blue-ribbon exhibits, a midway, fair food and free entertainment. More than 300,000 people come through the gates in a typical year; the 2025 fair counted 300,784. The 2026 fair ran September 11-20.
It is two things at once: a family outing, and the state championship stage for Kansas 4-H and FFA members, who compete against peers from across the state.
Ways to Take Part
| Way in | What it is | Deadline (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-H and FFA Grand Drive | State livestock show for cattle, sheep, goats and swine; opening weekend | Regular entry midnight July 15; late entry until noon July 25; entries at kansas.fairwire.com |
| Open livestock shows | Open beef, sheep (including market lamb and commercial ewe) and other species, each with its own handbook | August 15; entry through the fair's online system |
| Equine events | Horse shows with stalls | August 15 stall and entry deadline |
| Competitive exhibits | Agriculture (including a Market Wheat Show), clothing and textiles, fine arts, floriculture, foods, professional arts and FFA entries | Set by department; see the 2026 Competitive Exhibits Handbooks |
| 4-H static exhibits and fashion revue | Kansas 4-H project exhibits and fashion revue | August 15; fashion revue carries a $10 participation fee per 4-H member |
All exhibitors follow the Kansas State Fair General Rules plus the rules for their department, division and class. Grand Drive champions are cared for and shown by Kansas FFA members through the fair, and fairgoers can visit them starting the first Sunday. The fair also runs youth programs outside the barns, including marching band days, high school debate and forensics, and a Scholastic Press Corps.
How It Works: The Timeline
- July: Grand Drive entries close July 15 (late entries until noon July 25).
- Mid-August: Open livestock, equine and most 4-H and competitive-exhibit entries close August 15.
- From August 25: Livestock departments begin receiving animals on their own schedules; check the handbook for your department.
- September 11-20: Fair days. Grand Drive shows run opening weekend, and the 4-H horse show ran September 17-19.
- After the fair: Results are posted on the fair and 4-H websites.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
In 2025 the Grand Drive drew 831 exhibitors and paid out more than $130,000 in premium checks plus $10,000 in scholarships. Competitive exhibits drew 5,837 entries. Livestock exhibitors can choose a parking hangtag during entry; purple lots are reserved and limited. Camping runs $10 a night in Lots A and C (tents allowed only there), and the RV Park costs $600 for 12 days with hookups (call 620-669-3600).
Admission and Hours
| Ticket | Advance (through Sept. 10) | At the gate |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 13-59 | $7 | $10 |
| Seniors 60+ | $4 | $6 |
| Children 6-12 | $4 | $6 |
| Ages 5 and under | Free | Free |
Prices exclude fees. Military admission is $4 in person. Dillons Day (Monday, Sept. 14) was $1 for ages 6 and up. Gates opened 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on opening Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. September 12-19, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the final Sunday; buildings are generally open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are sold by phone, online through etix, at Dillons stores, or at the ticket office.
The 2026 Kansas Star Casino Grandstand series included Trace Adkins on opening night, Jo Dee Messina, Gabriel Iglesias and Russell Dickerson, plus a Demo Derby on September 14. Free trams circle the grounds; golf carts are not allowed; outside food and drinks like picnic items and coolers are not permitted.
Where
Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar Street, Hutchinson, KS 67502. Tickets are sold at gates 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9; gates 2, 6, 10 and 11 are drive-through only. Accessible paved parking is at Gates 5, 8 and 9.
Questions
Who do I call?
The fair office: 620-669-3600. The ticket office is 620-669-3618.
Can anyone enter the livestock shows?
The Grand Drive is for 4-H and FFA members. The open livestock shows have their own handbooks and are entered online by August 15.
Can I bring my own food?
Food and non-alcoholic drinks from outside vendors are fine, but picnic items and coolers are not allowed in.
Official Links
- Kansas State Fair FAQs: dates, admission, parking, camping
- Competitions: deadlines and how to enter
- 4-H and FFA Grand Drive: entry deadlines and handbooks
- Open sheep show
- Kansas FFA at the Kansas State Fair
- Kansas 4-H at the Kansas State Fair
- 2025 fair results and 2026 preview
- Visit Hutch listing
Major Kansas Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Kansas' big junior livestock stages are all in Hutchinson at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Shows
The Kansas State Fair ran September 11-20 in 2026, with the 4-H and FFA Grand Drive for beef, sheep, swine and goats (regular entries due July 15). The Kansas Junior Livestock Show ran October 2-4, 2026, with online entries due August 15. The Kansas Beef Expo is December 9-13, 2026, with junior breeding and market shows. Market animals and commercial breeding females must be nominated for the Grand Drive and KJLS.
Rodeos
Kansas rodeos include the Pretty Prairie Rodeo in July, the PRCA Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, the KPRA Finals in Dodge City and the Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. Confirm dates for the coming year before you go.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kansas Beef Expo
Youth livestock show with junior breeding and market classes, a female sale, a trade show and a judging contest at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-14, 2025.
2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 785-259-4122 Official event details - Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ
PRCA rodeo with a barbecue at the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds in Reno County. Held each year; the most recent performances were May 15 and 16, 2026, both starting at 8 PM.
- Kansas Junior Angus Preview Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 6-7, 2026. Junior Angus exhibitors preview their show cattle at the Prairie Pavilion on the Hutchinson fairgrounds before summer shows.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 620.874.4273 | Organizer: Kansas Angus Association Official event details - National Junior Charolais Association Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026. Charolais youth from across the country show cattle, compete in leadership contests and meet fellow exhibitors in Hutchinson.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 816.464.2474 | Organizer: National Junior Charolais Association Official event details - Pretty Prairie Kansas Largest Night Rodeo
Night rodeo held each July in Pretty Prairie, Reno County. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-20, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.