The Mid-South Fair will be managed this year by officials with the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss. who hope to rebuild the brand and return the fair to its “glory years.”
Those officials announced a partnership between the fair and the Landers Center management Tuesday. The news release issued by the groups did not call the arrangement a purchase.
The fair is 161 years old this year and had been held at the Mid-South Fairgrounds until 2008. City officials announced that year that they would not renew the fair’s lease for the grounds. The fair has been held at the Landers Center ever since, though its operations were not overseen by the center’s management.
“We have a three-year strategic plan to rebuild and bring back the excitement of the Mid-South Fair’s glory years by offering the region’s largest fair with the latest technological advances along with the entertainment and community-engaging offerings that have endeared the fair to Mid-Southerners in the tri-state area for over 161 years,” said Todd Mastry, executive director of the Landers Center.
Landers officials said the fair will have more rides and attractions than ever before, world class entertainment, fair food, and the the Youth Talent Contest, which they called the “largest amateur performing arts contest of its kind in the country.” The news released noted past contestants have included Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Michael Bublé, and Justin Timberlake.
Southaven Mayor Darren Musslewhite said the fair could make his city a “destination.”
“Landers Center is known for providing top-notch entertainment events that draw crowds from over 100 miles away, so the city of Southaven is excited to have Landers Center overseeing the operation of The Mid-South Fair,” Musslewhite said in a statement. “We look forward to watching them grow the already popular fair into a true destination event every fall in Southaven.”
The Mid-South Fair runs from Thursday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 1. Admission is $10 for adults (ages 13 to 59) and $5 for children (ages 5 to 12). Parking is free every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. A $5 parking charge applies from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
