News Releases
February 19, 2010
JANUARY AT STATE FAIR PARK HIGHLIGHTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FINALS RODEO
The International Finals Rodeo returned to State Fair Park, January 15, 16 and 17. The top 15 money-winning cowboys and cowgirls from the International Pro Rodeo Association competed in the seven traditional rodeo events for the coveted IPRA World Championship titles. The event drew a total of 13,712 spectators to the four go ‘rounds, generating over $2 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. The 28th Annual Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show occupied four buildings at State Fair Park, January 15 through 17. This show is considered by many to be Oklahoma City’s largest home & garden expo, drawing almost 26,000 spectators and participants. At this prestigious and diverse show, patrons were able to find terrific ideas, expert advice, top-quality products and first-rate services to meet all of their home improvement needs. The show had a direct spending impact on Oklahoma City of over $2.1 million. Read More
November 16, 2009
OCTOBER SIGNALED THE BEGINNING OF THE FALL HORSE SHOW SEASON
The leaves have started to turn, and that signals a busy time at State Fair Park. The fall horse show season at State Fair Park has started and runs through the middle of December. Thirty-five years ago, a tradition began that celebrates the history and beauty of a truly stunning animal, the Morgan Horse. The 2009 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was one of the best ever, with over 1,100 entries of the world’s best Morgan horses competing from 45 states and 4 foreign nations. The horses competed in over 250 classes for over $300,000 in prize money, October 10 through 17. “This horse show is where the best of the best Morgans compete and World Champions are crowned. The future of our breed continues to be guided by the results of this horse show,” says show manager Fred Nava. The Morgan Horse Show drew over 53,800 spectators and participants, producing over $12.5 million in direct spending into the economy of Oklahoma City. Read More
January 19, 2009
STATE FAIR PARK CLOSES OUT ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR
The 2008 horse show season came to a close at State Fair Park during the month of December. State Fair Park continues to offer the finest equine facilities in the nation, attracting the top horse shows around, thus maintaining the title of “Horse Show Capital of the World.” The National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show ran November 27 through December 6. The 10-day event was a world-class production featuring the most elite reiners competing for nearly $2 million in cash and prize awards. Winning the NRHA Open Futurity Division was Shining N Sassy, ridden by Tim McQuay and owned and bred by Carol Rose Quarter Horses, of Gainesville, Texas. The winner took home a check for $150,000, as well as a host of other prizes. The NRHA show drew 51,303 spectators and participants from all over the world, generating over $12 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
November 19, 2008
OCTOBER SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF THE FALL HORSE SHOW SEASON
The leaves have started to turn, and that signals a busy time at State Fair Park. The fall horse show season at State Fair Park has started and runs through the middle of December. Thirty-four years ago, a tradition began that celebrates the history and beauty of a truly stunning animal, the Morgan Horse. The 2008 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was one of the largest and best ever, with over 1,200 entries of the world’s best Morgans from across the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The horses competed in over 250 classes for over $300,000 in prize money, October 4 through 11. “This horse show is where the best of the best Morgans compete and World Champions are crowned. The future of our breed will be guided by the results of this horse show,” says show manager Fred Nava. The Morgan Horse Show drew 61,267 spectators and participants, producing over $14.3 million in direct spending into the economy of Oklahoma City. Read More
October 19, 2008
OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR® LIVE! DOMINATES THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AT STATE FAIR PARK
Oklahoma State Fair® LIVE! dominated the month of September at State Fair Park. In addition to this flag ship event, the month also played host to the Smoke School – Visible Emission Training event. Despite a rain plagued opening three days, State Fair officials announced recently that the Oklahoma State Fair® LIVE! was a success. Total attendance for the 11-day run was down about 6%, over last year, to approximately 1 million fairgoers. This annual family-friendly event generated over $107 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
August 19, 2008
HORSES AND SUMMERTIME PLEASURES HIGHLIGHT JULY ACTIVITIES AT STATE FAIR PARK
The weather has turned hot, much the same as the schedule at State Fair Park in July. In fact, the July events accounted for a busy month at State Fair Park, with 144 event days logged. The Greater Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Horse Show, held July 23 through 27, has been a standing tradition in the Oklahoma City area for many years. The show began in 1964 and has continued to attract spectators and sportsmen from all over the United States. The Oklahoma Hunter and Jumper Association (OHJA) is Oklahoma’s original horse show organization and was created to promote the sport of riding and showing hunters and jumpers. The event drew over 16,200 spectators and participants, producing over $3.5 million in direct spending into the economy of Oklahoma City. Read More
July 23, 2008
OWN A PIECE OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR®
What: Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. Surplus Auction
When: Saturday, July 26, 9:00 a.m.
Where: Parking Lot, located southeast of State Fair Arena
Comments: If you ever dreamed of owning a piece of the Oklahoma State Fair®, you will want to attend this live auction to liquidate a very large assortment of surplus items. The actual auction will take place on Saturday, July 26, starting at 9:00 a.m., in the fenced parking lot that is located southeast of State Fair Arena. There will be a preview starting at 8:00 a.m., in the same location. Items included in the auction inclue the following: sheep panels, horse stall panels with doors, a Zambonie, a Hyster Fork Lift, a Chevy C-60 Bucket Truck, a Chevy C-60 Dump Truck, assorted trucks and vans, a Club Car Lawns CarryAll, a JD 950 Tractor, assorted metal light poles, miscellaneous office equipment, assorted tables & chairs and other scrap and salvage items. Read More
May 29, 2008
OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR® ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
“The Oklahoma State Fair® Board of Directors has recently added three prominent Oklahoma business leaders to their ranks with the unanimous approval by its members of Willa Johnson, Peter B. Delaney, and J. Blake Wade” announced Board Chairman Clayton I. Bennett. “The Oklahoma State Fair® has benefitted immensely from the strong leadership of its board of directors dating back to its inception in 1907,” Bennett commented. “It is a privilege for us to welcome, to the board, these outstanding individuals who are true leaders in the business community. Read More
May 19, 2008
STATE FAIR PARK WELCOMES SPRING WITH A FULL SLATE OF ACTIVITIES
As springtime arrives in Oklahoma, State Fair Park remains busy with activities that are as varied as the weather. In all, State Fair Park played host to 242 event days during the month of April, making it one of the busiest months of the year. The Twentieth Annual Centennial Horse Show ran April 9 through 13. This grand event included American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Hackney and Harness Ponies and Roadster Horses and Ponies. The Oklahoma Centennial Horse Show is one of the few true charity horse shows in the country. This year’s beneficiary for the show continued to be the Coffee Creek Riding Center for the Handicapped. Since its inception in 1989, the show has given away over $200,000 to its designated charities. The 2008 Centennial Horse Show showcased approximately 350 horses from over 20 states. The five-day show had approximately 8,400 participants and placed over $900,000 worth of direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
April 15, 2008
YOUTH EXPO HIGHLIGHTS MARCH ACTIVITY AT STATE FAIR PARK
The Oklahoma Youth Expo ran March 10 through 19 at State Fair Park. Entries from all 77 Oklahoma counties competed for top honors, with only the "Best of the Best" making it to the State of Champions, held on Thursday, March 20. The year 2008 marks the 91st edition of this great show. The World's Largest Junior Livestock Show is the pinnacle to a year of hard work and dedication, an event that highlights the world's best and brightest young people. Read More
March 17, 2008
STATE FAIR PARK ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTED BY AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART
State Fair Park was proud to once again be the location of the nationally renowned arts & crafts show known as “An Affair of the Heart.” The spring version was held February 8 through 10. The event occupied all seven exhibit buildings at State Fair Park and showcased some of the finest crafts, antiques, collectibles and art in the Southwest. The show featured 750 exhibitors and artisans from Oklahoma and 35 other states from across the nation. “An Affair of the Heart” drew 25,970 devoted fans and placed over $2.7 million worth of direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
February 19, 2008
JANUARY AT STATE FAIR PARK HIGHLIGHTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FINALS RODEO
The International Finals Rodeo returned to State Fair Park, January 17, 18 and 19. The top 15 money-winning cowboys and cowgirls from the International Pro Rodeo Association competed in the seven traditional rodeo events for the coveted IPRA World Championship titles. The event drew a total of 10,964 spectators to the four go ‘rounds, generating over $897,000 in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
January 17, 2008
STATE FAIR PARK CLOSES OUT ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR
The 2007 horse show season came to a close at State Fair Park during the month of December. State Fair Park continues to offer the finest equine facilities in the nation, attracting the top horse shows around, thus maintaining the title of “Horse Show Capital of the World.” The National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show ran November 22 through December 1. The 10-day event was a world-class production featuring the most elite reiners competing for more than $1.5 million in cash and prize awards. Read More
December 20, 2007
QUARTER HORSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES AT STATE FAIR PARK
The American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show was the anchor of the activities that took place at State Fair Park during the month of November. Commonly referred to as “The World,” the AQHA World Championship Show is the richest and largest world championship horse show with classes for open and amateur competitors. This year marked the 34th Anniversary of the show, which ran November 2 through 17. Read More
November 9, 2007
OCTOBER SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF THE FALL HORSE SHOW SEASON
The leaves have started to turn, and that signals a busy time at State Fair Park. The fall horse show season starts now and runs through the middle of December. Thirty-three years ago, a tradition began that celebrates the life and beauty of a truly stunning animal, the Morgan horse. The 2007 Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show was one of the largest and best ever, with over 1,200 entries of the world’s best Morgans from across the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Read More
October 15, 2007
OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR® CENTENNIAL EXPO DOMINATES THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AT STATE FAIR PARK
Although the month of September was dominated by the Oklahoma State Fair® Centennial Expo, there were a handful of other events that took place at State Fair Park during the month. State Fair officials announced recently that the Oklahoma State Fair® Centennial Expo was a success. Total attendance for the 11-day run was up 6%, over last year, to approximately 1.1 million fairgoers. The State Fair celebrated the state’s centennial with many centennial-related activities and events including an appearance by Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson on the opening Saturday. This annual family-friendly event generated close to $118 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
September 17, 2007
MONTH OF AUGUST PROVES BUSY AT STATE FAIR PARK
The rains finally left the area and August was a busy month at State Fair Park. The level of activity was strong as Oklahomans from across the state enjoyed their summer. State Fair Speedway continued to be busy during the month of August. The track played host to five scheduled Friday Night races. The regularly scheduled Friday night races featured Factory Stock, Championship Sprint, Pro Stock, Super Sprint and USA Modified action. These five nights of racing drew over 10,600 spectators and participants. In all, these events generated over $1.1 million in direct spending into the Oklahoma City economy. Read More
This page updated February 20, 2010.