Oklahoma State Fair opens Sept. 17 with 230-foot Ferris wheel

The Oklahoma State Fair opens Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds with a Route 66 centennial theme and a record-size Ferris wheel.

Gates open at 10 a.m. Opening day is also a Tinker Federal Credit Union Thrifty Thursday, with general admission at $8 in advance or $10 at the gate. Children 5 and under get in free.

The fair's theme, "The Midway of the Mother Road," marks Route 66's 100th anniversary. The centerpiece is the America 250 Wheel, a 230-foot ride that fair organizers describe as the world's largest portable observation wheel. Its 45 gondolas each feature facts about one of the nation's 45 presidents.

Scott Munz, an Oklahoma State Fair spokesman, told KFOR the wheel dwarfs similar rides elsewhere. "It's taller than the Ferris wheel at the State Fair of Texas, and it's taller than the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier in Chicago, so it'll be a very impressive ride," Munz said.

Route 66 touches run throughout the grounds. The Bennett Event Center houses a Route 66 Family Fun Zone with themed mini golf and a drive-in theater experience, both open daily.

A Route 66 Centennial Salute & Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 7 p.m. in the Modern Living Building, with a parade at 2 p.m. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and author Michael Wallis will serve as grand marshals for that event, according to KOCO.

Munz also told KFOR that a separate opening day parade will step off at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, with Wallis as grand marshal. Wallis wrote "Route 66: The Mother Road" and voiced the character Sheriff in the Disney/Pixar "Cars" films.

Security remains a priority. Munz told KOCO in an Aug. 31 preview that the fair employs officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and its own security staff.

Fairgoers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone 25 or older after 5 p.m. Each eligible adult may accompany up to five minors.

The fair runs through Sunday, Sept. 27. Regular gate admission is $17 for adults ages 12 and up and $10 for children ages 6-11. Season passes cost $40 online.

Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Paid parking is $15 per vehicle per day, cashless only by credit or debit card. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted.

Free parking is available in lots surrounding the fairgrounds. Tickets are available at okstatefair.com or by calling 405-948-6800.

Discount days:

Thursday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 24 — Thrifty Thursday, $8 advance / $10 gate
Monday, Sept. 21 — Military Monday, free admission for active duty, retired and veteran service members and spouses with military ID
Tuesday, Sept. 22 — Taste of the Fair Tuesday, $4 gate admission
Wednesday, Sept. 23 — Senior Day, free admission for ages 55 and up with ID
Thursday, Sept. 24 — College Day, $5 gate admission with college ID

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