The local Ark-La-Miss fair has returned to West Monroe for its 48th anniversary. It will be at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center from Sept. 26-Oct. 5, featuring various rides, games, vendors and exhibits that are fun for all ages.
“I’ve always enjoyed going to the fair ever since I was little,” Freshman art major Alissa Dobbins said. “I’ve never not had a great time there.”
The Ark-La-Miss fair has a variety of rides, ranging from the typical carousel and bumper cars, kid-friendly rides, and even more extreme rides. Located in numerous places across fairgrounds are machines people can use to purchase wristbands if they would like to go on the rides. Prices start at $10.00 for a 7-credit (the fair’s version of tickets) wristband. They also have an option for an unlimited-ride wristband. The standard price for one of these wristbands is $25.00, though the price may be higher or lower depending on the day. Specific events and prices for different days can be found on the Ark-La-Miss Fair Facebook page.
For those less interested in rides, the fair also features a wide range of exhibits. These exhibits include pottery, recycled art, wood crafts, scrapbooking, insect display, photography, sewing, food preservation, educational displays, and many more. These exhibits will open on Monday, Sept. 26, 2025. There will also be a livestock show on Saturday, Oct. 4, alongside 4H’s petting zoo. While attending these exhibits, people may also hear music coming from the Louisiana Lottery Music Stage, where a different band or musician will be performing each night.
Another major part of the Ark-La-Miss fair is the food vendors. There are multiple vendors located in various locations around the fair, serving classics such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, popcorn, and numerous deep-fried snacks.
Owner of Don Tomas Mexican Grill and Riverside Coney Island Tom Hardy is a major part of the fair, operating four of the food stands available.
“I’ve been with the fair since the mid-80s, and I own four stands at the Ark-La-Miss fair. My stands are currently serving drinks, funnel cakes, alligator, fried and boiled shrimp and crawfish étouffée,” Hardy said. “I also have another serving cotton candy, caramel apples, and popcorn.”
Lining the walkways are numerous games, including typical fair games such as ring-toss and basketball. These games are also on the more expensive side, with most of them starting at $10.00 per play. Prizes range from stuffed animals to live goldfish.
The Ark-La-Miss Fair continues to be a major community event, drawing visitors of all ages with its wide variety of activities. Be sure to stop by and decompress after a long week of schoolwork.
