While selling tickets at the Kansas State Fair at gate 8 one evening, I met a retired couple who were traveling from state fair to state fair just for fun. They had already visited Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, Kentucky, Tennesee and were now in Kansas. When I asked them why state fairs, and what they did at each of them they replied, "We just go to each one and search out the FOOD! We rate each fair by whether we like the tasty and odd kinds they offer."
It's a fact that state fairs are known for their foods and the Kansas State Fair is no exception. Like any fast food even the good ones are really "just fine", but there are always a few standouts. Our Kansas State Fair has an event called "Tasty Tuesday" where one can go to specific participating booths and buy samples of their signature dishes for two dollars each. It's a great way to taste many of the fair's culinary delights without spending a huge amount of money. Most fair delicacies are ten to thirteen dollars per serving.
My co-workers were brilliant and took a box to carry all their samples! A couple of my favorite foods are the AMBUCS icecream parlor where they make their own homemade waffle cones and the fried cheddar cheese curds! Another hit this year was nachos made with roast beef. Kansas is known for it's amazing beef!!!
Because of all the yummy fair food, one needs to do some walking to use up some of those calories. There are so many things to see and do at the Kansas State Fair! One of my favorite places to peruse is the Pride of Kansas Building. Here you can find Kansas produce and agricultural displays. Everyone loves to look at our traditional butter sculpture that is created during the first few days of the fair and patrons can watch the artist create their masterpieces. This year's was exceptionally intricate, focusing on bees.
Another fun activity I tried this year was "Goat Yoga." The goats were a little older than usual but I still had fun. One particular goat was named Gabby, and we became friends! I'm not a big yoga fan, I prefer my water aerobics, but I love animals so I had fun hugging some little goats.
My little goat friend letting me give her some hugs! and then she spent some time nibbling my socks! It was really hard to concentrate and find relaxation amongst the goat's antics but the fun factor made up for everything else!!!
A favorite activity for me was looking at all the different exhibits in the buildings. Vendors selling most anything, residents displaying their state fair entires for baking, the arts, and various other hobbies. I saw a pumpkin so huge that it was a new record for the Kansas State Fair, weighing in at 1350 pounds! Great Pumpkin, you've got some competition here.
A new event this year to help celebrate the opening of our Kansas State Fair Bison building was a sand sculpture and also a group of balloon sculptures to commemorate the United States 250 year anniversary celebrations as well as 100 years of the 4-H program.
All of these exhibits were amazing! but my all time favorite one for the 2026 Kansas State fair was the Budweiser Clydesdales that came at the beginning of the state fair and were stabled just outside of our Gate 9. They paraded the perimeter of the fairgrounds a few times during the week, and everyone gathered to watch them pass. I have always liked watching the Budweiser commercials that feature the Clydesdales but seeing them in person was amazing! Such majestic beauties. And of course the Dalmations were their sweet counterparts, riding alongside the carters holding the reigns.
My final entry is a touring display also in commemoration of the United States 250th Anniversary, The Freedom Truck. This trailer housed an interactive display of American history for self guided tours. I only had a short time to visit, but I could have spent an hour there reading all the historical information. I truly enjoyed it!
Reader, you certainly know that this is only a very few activities available, and only the ones I could take a break from work to attend. But there were actually hundreds of opportunities to relax, learn and be enriched for a nominal admission fee at the Kansas State 2026 Fair.
Part 3: 10 Days of the Kansas State Fair will cover -Acts of Kindness, Silver Alert, and Wisdom from a Worker.
#KansasStateFair #Buttersculpture. #Clydesdales #Freedom Truck #Sandart
The Clydesdales are majestic!!
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