What the Jackson County Fair Is
The Jackson County Fair in Pascagoula is an eight-day community fair on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a mix of carnival midway, church and nonprofit food booths, a livestock barn and a competition hall for baking, crafts, photography and homegrown produce. Admission to the grounds is free, so a family can walk the barn and exhibit halls without paying a gate fee and spend money only on rides and food. The fair has been a fixture for more than a century: the 2025 edition was its 105th year, and the fair was canceled in 2020 because of COVID.
The most recent edition ran October 18-25, 2026. The fair is held each year in the third week of October, so expect the next one at the same point in the calendar.
What You Will Find
The barn
The livestock barn holds roosters, chickens, rabbits, goats, cows with calves and steers, along with prize-winning crops. Visitors can see the animals up close, and for many local families a trip to the barn is a yearly tradition. In 2026 the barn opened to visitors at 11 a.m.
The arts building
The arts building holds the competition entries: homemade baked goods, jellies, woodworking, handcrafts, photography and homegrown fruits and vegetables. Regular exhibitors say the produce and photography classes are among the most competitive. In 2026 the arts building opened at 4 p.m.
The Civic Center
The Civic Center houses commercial and educational booths and hosts performances during the week. It opened at 9 a.m. in 2026. School groups also compete for awards for creative booth displays, and youth activities and groups are recognized during the week.
Midway and food
The midway runs rides every evening, with reduced-price family hours and extended hours on the Friday and Sunday. Food booths run by local churches and nonprofits, plus food trucks, serve everything from Polish sausage with onions on a bun to gumbo; the gumbo booths run by the Pascagoula Elks Lodge and Lighthouse Church drew the most talk in 2025.
The Week's Special Days
- Family Night: reduced ride prices, with youth dance groups performing.
- Old Settlers Day: Jackson County residents age 70 and older are invited to a free lunch, with registration in the morning and performances at the Civic Center.
- Children's Day: all rides open in the afternoon at reduced prices.
- Super Friday: a late-night armband session for rides that runs until midnight.
- Youth livestock show: in recent years the Saturday afternoon livestock show in the barn has been followed by the 4-H Livestock Auction, and Saturday is the last day for exhibits.
- Super Sunday: the closing day, with two armband sessions for rides.
Other features in the fair's lineup include a dog show, Midnight Madness and the Jackson County Idol hunt.
Cost
General admission is free. Ride tickets cost about $1 each, and armbands for unlimited rides during set sessions run about $20. Food booths and food trucks charge their own prices.
Where
Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Rd., Pascagoula, MS 39567. Rides and most attractions are outdoors, and the grounds have a large covered pavilion, so dress for the weather. For questions, call 228-762-6043.
Questions
Do I have to pay to get in?
No. Entry to the grounds, the barn and the exhibit buildings is free. You pay for rides, armbands and food.
Can I enter something in the arts building?
The arts building takes competition entries in baked goods, jellies, woodworking, handcrafts, photography and homegrown produce. Class lists, times and entry details are posted on the Jackson County Fair Facebook page, or call 228-762-6043.
Is there something for older residents?
Yes. Old Settlers Day gives Jackson County residents age 70 and older a free lunch.
When are the rides running?
Rides run nightly. In 2025 the midway ran from 4 to 10 p.m., with extended hours on Super Friday and Super Sunday.
Official Links
- Jackson County Fair: county fair page
- WLOX: Annual Jackson County Fair brings food and fun back to the Coast: 2026 coverage
- Gumbo, good times and 105 years of tradition at the Jackson County Fair: 2025 hours and exhibits
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage: Jackson County Fair: location, prices and special days
- WXXV News 25: Jackson County Fair returns to Pascagoula: day-by-day program
Mississippi County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Mississippi's youth livestock circuit runs from the State Fair in October through district shows in January to the Dixie National Junior Round-Up, February 1 to 11, 2027, per MSU Extension's general rules. County fairs set their own dates.
State fair
The 2026 Mississippi State Fair ran October 8 to 18 in Jackson, per WLOX. Exhibitors must be 4-H or FFA members, at least 8 and not yet 19 on January 1.
Ownership and tags
Ownership and county entry dates were September 1 and December 1, 2026. Market and commercial animals need 840 EID ear tags and a veterinarian's health certificate, per the general rules.
Health papers
Brucellosis and tuberculosis tests are not required while Mississippi stays free of those diseases, and exhibitors also submit a 60-day animal health record in the check-in app.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules.
Weights and entry rules differ by species and show. The 2025 State Fair drew 1,283 animals and 827 youth exhibitors, per the October 2025 newsletter, so book your barn and check-in times early.
Read the full guide: Mississippi County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MSFB Classic Livestock Show
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Classic Livestock Show fills the Livestock Arena at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-22, 2026.
- Tri-State Rodeo Finals
Rodeo finals are held at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, with flag girl tryouts alongside. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-21, 2026.
- Dixie National Junior Round-Up
Youth beef, sheep, goat, swine and dairy exhibitors compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. The 2027 show is set for February 1-11, with ownership deadlines of September 1 and December 1, 2026 by division.
- MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
Farm, ranch and outdoor exhibitors gather at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson for a three-day expo scheduled for February 19-21, 2027.
Jackson, MS Official event details - Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
The 61st Dixie National Rodeo ran nine performances over two weekends at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year in February; the most recent dates were February 13-21, 2026.
All Mississippi events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.