Thousands will soon gather for the 2024 Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, opening Friday and continuing through Sept. 21 at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo.
Now in its 101st year, the fair has a long history of bringing the community together in a celebration of agriculture as well as family friendly fun, including livestock shows, exhibits, a food court, petting zoo, concerts, a parade, the rodeo, vendors, midway carnival rides and much more.
The grounds open at 11 a.m. Friday with a unique spin on an event, a 5K Calorie Walk - billed as "a short walk with big rewards". With participants arriving at 10:30 a.m. at Arch Gate Entrance (Gate 1), the "5K" is a football-field length's route that leads guests straight from the entrance gate to the food court, according to the event's description, where attendees will be enjoying fair treats to quickly hit that 5,000-calorie mark. The first people to cross the finish line will receive a surprise.
A Celebrity Goat Milking Contest takes place at noon; other festivities that start on opening day and continue throughout the fair include a Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, Swifty Swine Pig Races, petting zoo and Jerry Harris Hypnotist Show. Opening day's deal special is the First Friday for First Responders, with free admission for emergency workers as they are celebrated for their unwavering dedication and bravery. The Midway opens at 4 p.m.
Saturday morning features the fair's annual parade in downtown Amarillo. Themed "Along For The Ride – Leading The Way," the parade at 10 a.m. will head north up Polk Street, turn east on 3rd Avenue and end in the north parking lot of the Amarillo Civic Center. Prizes will be awarded to the best parade entries.
The Dancin' in the Dirt Concert featuring Clay Walker takes place on Day 2, with local live music every night of the fair on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage, located south of the food court.
Commercial Exhibit Hall vendors are open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on weekends. The Carnival Midway is open 4 p.m. to midnight weekdays and noon to midnight on the weekends. Outdoor vendors are open 3-11 p.m. on Opening Day, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. weekends and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays.
During the first weekend of the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, premier horse breeders and riders will fill the Bill Cody Arena for the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Show, Ranching Heritage Challenge and RHAA Show.
Creative Arts contests take place in the Rex Baxter Building throughout the fair and include art exhibits, textiles, culinary, ceramic/pottery, photography, garden and agronomy, as well as contests in recipes, beef, salsa, quick breads, pork and pies. Other competitions include youth livestock shows, agriculture contests and more.
The annual PRCA Rodeo caps off the fair, Sept. 19-21 at the Amarillo National Center.
Admission to the fair closes each day at 10:30 p.m., with the grounds closing at midnight. A Clear Bag Policy is in place, with bags subject to inspection, as well as metal detectors at the public gate entrances for added security. Closing times are subject to change.
Along with Opening Day's tribute to first responders, the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo features a different Deal of the Day special each day of the fair, listed below:
Saturday, Sept. 14, is Boots & Beats day at the fair, presented by Boot Barn; tune in to 101.9 The Bull and 95.9 The Armadillo for a chance to win tickets. The fair's iconic boot logo will be celebrated by dancing the night away to some live music, featuring the Dancin’ In the Dirt concert in the Amarillo National Center with country music artist Clay Walker. Doors open for the Dancin’ in the Dirt Concert, presented by Amarillo National Bank at 6 p.m. Around 7 p.m., Aiden Logsdon & the Outlaws opens the show, with the headliner Clay Walker's performance starting at about 9 p.m. The concert ticket includes fair gate admission. Outside at 6 p.m., Social Dance Amarillo Line Dancing will take place on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage, followed by Mo' Betta DJ.
Sunday, Sept. 15, is Fiesta Domingo at the Fair, presented by Amigos, honoring the Hispanic roots that run deep in the Texas Panhandle. A Mariachi Band performs at 2:30 p.m. in the Rex Baxter Building; other performances during the day include Hispanic Folkloric Dance Group (6:30 p.m.) and Vindicado on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage at 8:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 16, themed "55 & Better Day," features free admission for those 55 and older, "those who have been blessed with experience and wisdom." Landon Finke performs on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage at 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday it's Ride 'Em Cowboy Night presented by First Bank Southwest, which is all about the rides at the fair. The Ride ‘Em Cowboy Fun Pass gate and ride wristband combo is a 50% discount for that night only. Open Mic Karaoke will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Rex Baxter Building, and Goodbye Hollywood performs at 8:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage.
Sept. 18 is Small Business Wednesday, where the fair will honor those working in small business in the Panhandle. Some of the day's events include WPRA Breakaway followed by Barrel Racing Slack at 2 p.m. at the Amarillo National Center, and live music by Tanner Lane at 8:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage.
Sept. 19 is Education Celebration day, with free admission for students in K-12 and college, as well as teachers and other school personnel. A Special Scholarship Announcement is set to take place at noon. Other events that day include Digger Howard Invitational Team Roping at 3 p.m. in the Amarillo National Center, a Whataburger Jalapeno Eating Contest at 5:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage, a Western Swing Jam Session at 6:30 p.m. in the Rex Baxter Building and opening night of the PRCA Rodeo in the Amarillo Naional Center. Chandler Pearson will perform at 9:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage.
Sept. 20, themed Ag & Western Round-Up, presented by HF&C, is all about Agriculture and the Western way of life, with the fair giving a special shout-out to 4-H and FFA members and leaders who have participated in this year's fair. The day's scheduled events include TSF Mounted Fast Draw Demonstration at 5 p.m. in the Covered Arena, PRCA Rodeo day 2 at the Amarillo National Center, and a performance by Matthew Palmer and the Mammoth Cult at 9:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage.
Sept. 21, closing day, will be a Military Salute, presented by Bell Helicopter, with free admission for active military members and veterans with ID. The day's events include a National Anthem Contest at 11:30 a.m. in the Rex Baxter Building, followed by Letters to Soldiers from 1 to 5 p.m. Day 3 of the PRCA Rodeo opens at 6 p.m. in the Amarillo National Center, while the fair's final live music performance by Wynn Williams begins at 9:30 p.m. on the Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage.
The Youth & Open Livestock Shows take place throughout the Tri-State Fair, with judges from all across the U.S. and Texas locations including Levelland, Canyon and Eastland.
In addition, several youth contests have been added to this year's lineup, including ag mechanics and livestock judging. Other competitions include a Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest and Vet Science Skillathon.
The annual PRCA Rodeo runs Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 19-21, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and rodeo performances starting at 7:30 p.m.
Mutton Bustin Mania on Monday, Sept. 16 in the Amarillo National Center welcomes all kids who would like the opportunity to qualify for Mutton Bustin' in the PRCA rodeo performances, Sept. 19-21. In the Calf Scramble, youth will compete in a contest of speed and skill as they try to catch a calf. Mutton Bustin' Finals and Calf Scramble will begin each rodeo performance at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the rodeo can be purchased online on the fair's website, at the entrance gate ticket booths, or at the box office of the Amarillo National Center Sept. 19-21.
For the fair's full schedule, go online to their website.
Tickets for the fair can be purchased only on the fair's website, https://www.tristatefair.com/ by clicking the yellow "Buy Tickets" button at the top of the page.
Admission is free until 3 p.m. on weekdays for those who wish to join fairgoers for lunch.
Pricing for fair general admission on weekdays is $10, or $5 for kids ages 6-12; kids age 5 and younger get in free. On Saturdays and Sundays, general admission is $12, or $7 for kids 6-12.
Parking is $5 at Gate 4. Parking is free at Gates 1 and 5.
For those wanting to get their full fix of rides at the fair, a Carnival Midway Mega Pass for $99 allows the holder daily admission to the fair for all nine days. All rides are included in the pass except for the power ride, which requires additional credits. A One Day Fun Pass for $50 includes one gate admission and a one-day ride wristband. A Family 4 Pack for $99 includes four gate admissions and two one day ride wristbands.
Children must be 36" tall to ride the rides.
The Midway and Food Court are cashless and only accept credit cards and Magic Money, which can be purchased at the gate. Commercial Exhibit Hall vendors accept cash or credit card only.
Some rides/buildings/events may close during periods of inclement weather.
Sip 'N Save at the Crush Wine & Beer Garden debuted in 2023. Located near the Rex Baxter Building, the Crush Wine & Beer Garden offers craft beer, wine, and live music away from the midway thrills and food court. Sip 'NSave passes, which are limited to 100 tickets, include fair admission and drink ticket of your choice at the Crush Wine & Beer Garden to be used on any day during open hours of operation, for those 21 and older only.
For more information, visit the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo office at 3301 SE 10th Ave., call (806) 376-7767, visit their website https://www.tristatefair.com/ or email tsfair@tristatefair.com .
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