Greater Baton Rouge State Fair

The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair is back again for its 60th year, from Thursday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 2.

The fair is located at 16072  Airline Hwy. It will feature fun, food, and rides for the entire family.

The Opening Night Special offered tickets for $10 each with rides for $25.  Tickets can be pre-purchased at gbrsf.com.

Live music will be available every night, starting with the South of Central Band from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday night, Oct. 23.

Daily attractions include:

• Petting zoo

• Hot glass academy

• Magician Tim Spinosa

• Mitchell Brother amusements

• Swifty Swine racing pigs

• Turbo Tyler globe of death

• Washboard Willy

The fair will feature livestock shows on Saturdays and Sundays.

The 8th Annual Logo Extravaganza will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26.

The fair will offer a wide array of food trucks.

So far, more than $4 million has been donated by the Fair to worthwhile community organizations.

Every year, a $500 scholarship is awarded to one student from each participating high school.

The Fair began in 1965 as a project of the Jaycees.

One unique feature of the fair is that no one is paid!  It’s an all-volunteer project. All volunteers are exactly that and members of the board serve without remuneration.

The Fair has a significant economic impact on the Baton Rouge community. In addition to the rent paid to BREC for use of the Fairgrounds, purchases from local individuals and businesses of materials, supplies, and professional services required to operate the fair return over $200,000 per year to the local economy.

Larger grants include $100,000 to the Baton Rouge Zoo for the Children’s Playground and for signage improvements; $75,000 to BREC for park improvements, and $50,000 to Baton Rouge General Hospital for remodeling the Burn Center.