Updates from Kansas State Fair General Manager, Bryan K. Schulz, IFMG, CFE
Generally Speaking:
WOW what an amazing Ten Days of the 2025 Kansas State Fair, with a few records being set!
Even with several days of rain and our parking lots unavailable for use, we still had a GREAT 2025 Kansas State Fair!
Kansas State Fair by the Numbers:
- 300,784 Fairgoers came through the gates
- A record setting 1,303-pound giant pumpkin was on display in the Pride of Kansas Building
- The Grand Drive saw 831exhibitors and awarded premium checks for over $130,000 and presented a total of $10,000 in scholarships.
- 96 high school bands from across the State had 4,029 students performing, some in the rain, on the grounds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Just shy of 33,000 people attended concerts/events at the Nex Tech Grandstands with Ludacis having the largest attendance at 6,513 fans and Jeff Dunham coming in a close second with 6,030 fans. This number surpasses our 2015 record even with our having to cancel the Demolition Derby.
- Our Competitive Exhibits department had 5,837 entries
- Our new five-ride passes which included the Skyride, State Fair Railroad, the Ye’ Old Mill, Big Yellow Slide and the State Fair Boats sold 5,307 passes.
- We had 94 concessions and 480 vendors and exhibitors across the grounds
- And let’s not forget about the newest item at this year’s Kansas State Fair – Kansas State Fair Saltwater Taffy. This was a very big hit, and plans are in the works to make this an annual item.
A Fair-Sized Thank You
The weather was not on our side for multiple days, but I want to give a HUGE shoutout to all of our Emergency Services personnel who came together to assist the Fair with alternative parking and driving route options when our parking lots became unusable. A BIG THANK YOU to Dr. Tricia Paramore and her Team at Hutchinson Community College for allowing the Fair to use their parking lots and buses. I also want to thank the Uptown Mall and BOLD LP3 for allowing us to use their parking lots, and lastly, without the assistance of Durham School Services and Village Travel, we would have been unable to provide the shuttle service to our patrons. This is what a GREAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE!!
I also want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the Kansas State Fair Board of Directors and TEAM who tirelessly worked to make sure the shuttle process was safe and seamless by directing traffic and monitoring buses during the parking lot closure times. We Truly Appreciate You All!!
Kansas State Fair 2026
We are all hoping and praying for 75 and lots of sunshine for the 2026 Kansas State Fair – September 11 – 20 in Hutchinson, Kansas!!
Hope y’all have a KANTASTIC DAY!!
Bryan K. Schulz, IFMG, CFE
General Manager
Kansas State Fair
About the Kansas State Fair
The 2025 Kansas State Fair will be held September 5-14 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Proudly the largest gathering of Kansans each year, the Fair celebrates all the things beloved about the state: agriculture, education, entertainment, and more. For more information, and to learn about 2025 Fair offerings, visit KansasStateFair.com.
