South Texas State Fair draws opening day crowd

Opening weekend highlights include the Young Men's Business League Rodeo, which runs Friday night through Sunday. This year's rodeo includes an elite team of female bull riders.

The fair continues through April 2, opening at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. 

Sunday's exhibit hall closes at 10 p.m., while the April 2 exhibit hall closes at 8 p.m.

All exhibit halls Monday through Thursday close at 10 p.m., while all Friday and Saturday exhibit halls close at 11 p.m.

The carnival will remain open based on daily attendance. No carnival wristbands will be sold after 9 p.m.

One-time fair passes cost $10. If you purchase a one-time pass online, there will be a 60-cent processing fee and $2.25 service charge added on. Carnival passes for Sunday, Tuesday, March 31 and April 2 include unlimited rides for $40.

Children ages 2 and under get in for free, while it costs $5 for kids ages 3 to 12. Those between the ages of 13 and 64 can get in for $10, while adults 65 and older can get in for $5.

Prices for rodeo tickets are free for kids 2 and under, $5 for kids ages 3 to 12, $10 for those ages 13 to 64 and $5 for those 65 and older. The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Ford Arena.

Parking is free throughout the duration of the fair.

All carnival rides on on Wednesday will cost just $2 per ride.

On Sunday, fairgoers who bring six non-perishable HEB brand canned vegetable products – which will be donated to the Southeast Texas Food Bank – before 9 p.m. will be admitted for free. People who do not donate will be charged $10 to enter.

On Monday, Provost Umphrey Law Firm Free Fun Night will be open until 9 p.m. The Carnival Americana Midway will be $2 all evening.

On April 1, kids 17 and under get into the carnival for free from noon to 3 p.m.

On April 2 - As part of Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper Cantastic Sunday, admission is free until 9 p.m. for those who bring an empty or full six-pack of 12 oz Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper product cans, which will be donated to a local charity. People with these product cans are eligible to purchase a wristband for $35. People without cans may purchase carnival wristbands for $40.

There will be events such as but not limited to contests, a livestock show, Animal rides, Exhibit halls and animal shows. For the full list of events, visit ymbl.org/events.

There will be construction on Interstate 10, and fairgoers may need to take alternate routes.

Throughout the fair's duration, the Texas 105 exit off westbound Interstate 10 will be closed during peak fair times to prevent traffic backing up onto the main lanes of the interstate.

Those coming from the north traveling west on I-10 are advised to take the Walden Road exit, go right on Walden, then go to Major Drive. At Major Drive, turn left and proceed to I-10. After crossing under I-10, turn left onto the service road and enter Gate 4, which is the main entrance into Ford Park.

Fairgoers from west of the city traveling eastbound on I-10 are advised to take the Texas 365 exit, turn right onto Texas 365 then proceed to go left on Texas 124 toward Major Drive. When arriving at the flashing red light at Major Drive, turn left at the light and continue on Major Drive toward Ford Park using Gate 2.

Motorists coming into Beaumont on U.S. 96 from Mid County and South County and points south in Beaumont should take the Texas 14 exit, turn left on Texas 124, then use Gate 0 to enter Ford Park.

Those coming from the west end of Beaumont should travel on Major Drive crossing under I-10. After crossing that, turn left onto the service road and enter using Gate 4 the main marquee entrance drive into the fairgrounds.

People can park on the fairgrounds and are encouraged to carpool as much as possible to avoid traffic delays.

Visit ymbl.org for daily deals on carnival rides and more.

kbrent@beaumontenterprise.com.

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megan.zapalac@beaumontenterprise.com

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