The South Texas State Fair runs through Oct. 21 at Ford Park.
Since 1942, the Young Men's Business League has brought great rides, great food and great fun to Beaumont with the South Texas State Fair.
With a grand opening on Oct. 11, the Fair will run through Oct. 21 at Ford Park on Interstate 10.
For many the main attraction is the Carnival Midway, provided by Bill Hames Shows of Fort Worth for its 43rd consecutive year at the Fair. For many others it is the hundreds of concessions booths providing typical festival foods and anything-you-can-think-of-on-a-stick. Returning favorites are pork-a-bobs, funnel cakes, turkey legs, corn dogs, Cajun pistollettes and fried Oreos.
Other vendors will sell novelties, souvenirs, crafts, toys, clothing, hats, art objects, leather goods and jewelry.
Look for student art on display daily in the Exhibit Hall, alongside new autos provided by the Texas Ford Dealers.
No fair would be complete without a livestock show, and championship poultry and rabbits will be auctioned on Oct. 17 with swine, lambs, goats and steers auctioned on Oct. 18. The proceeds from the auction go to the young people who raised the animals. A PBR Championship Bull Ride is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20. Small children can pet and hold baby chicks and ducklings and watch exotic baby animals at the Children's Barnyard, sponsored by Capital One.
Throughout the Fair, free acts and attractions will provide entertainment for the whole family. Scheduled acts include area favorites The Kaiser Brothers, Jo-El Sonnier, the Boogie Kings and Ezra Charles.
Daily gate admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students age 11-17, $3 for seniors over 65 and free for children under age 10. Parking is free.
The YMBL shares revenue with area charitable organizations, youth projects, civic programs and projects to support the elderly and needy.
The South Texas State Fair has been held every year in the fall, with the exception of 2005, when the area and its residents, including YMBL volunteers, were recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Rita.
For more information, visit www.ymbl.org.