Construction might cause slowdowns at the Oklahoma State Fair: What to know before you go

Visitors to the 2023 Oklahoma State Fair will get a glimpse into the future — and they will need to prepare for it.

No, that doesn't mean there's a hot new fortune teller or a cool new tarot card reader on the extensive lineup of attractions, exhibits and shows for this year's fair, set for Sept. 14-24.

It means construction has started on the new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds, the home of the Oklahoma State Fair, and many fairgoers will need to maneuver around the project.

Oklahoma City leaders broke ground in February on the new fairgrounds coliseum, which has yet to be officially named, and work on the new 216,000-square-foot venue is underway. The construction site is adjacent to the aging Jim Norick Arena, which the coliseum eventually will replace.

But Jim Norick Arena will continue to host events throughout construction on the new venue, including this year's Oklahoma State Fair events "Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto" and the new Hoof & Horns Spectacular.

Here's what you need to know about the construction at the OKC Fairgrounds during the Oklahoma State Fair:

How will construction at the OKC Fairgrounds affect 2023 Oklahoma State Fair ticketholders?

Despite the coliseum construction, Oklahoma State Fair patrons can still park, enter and exit the OKC Fairgrounds at Gate 6 off Reno Avenue. Gate 6's close proximity to Jim Norick Arena and the carnival midway make it a popular access point for fairgoers.

Once they enter through Gate 6, fairgoers can either turn left and enter the fair through the Super Barn or enter the Jim Norick Arena on the west side. Or, they can take a right, walk around the construction area and make their way through the carnival rides into the fair or to access the Jim Norick Arena on the east side.

"Disney on Ice" and Hoofs & Horns Spectacular patrons who park at Gate 6 are advised to arrive early as it likely will take extra time to reach the arena and take their seats due to the construction.

Featuring songs, stories and characters from two of the most popular Disney animated movies in recent memory, "Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto" skates into Jim Norick Arena for 11 performances Sept. 14-19 during the Oklahoma State Fair. “Disney on Ice” has been a beloved Oklahoma State Fair tradition for more than 35 years.

The state fair's new rodeo concept, the Hoof & Horns Spectacular, rides into action at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22-23 inside Jim Norick Arena. 

Created by the Beutler family of Elk City — whose rodeo fame dates back more than 90 years and includes producing some of the largest, most popular rodeos in the country — the new event will feature bucking broncs and freestyle bullfighting. It replaces the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's Xtreme Bulls & Broncs previously offered at the fair. 

The Oklahoma State Fair carnival rides have been shifted to the east to accommodate the construction.

What is the plan for the new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds?

Under construction just south of Jim Norick Arena, the new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds is a $126 million project funded through MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue and other sources. It is the first recipient of MAPS 4 dollars to begin construction.

Historically, Jim Norick Arena has boasted the largest economic impact of all publicly owned facilities in Oklahoma City, hosting more than 250 event days a year. Along with "Disney on Ice" and the rodeo event during the Oklahoma State Fair, the arena hosts international equine and livestock shows, concerts and the state high school basketball and wrestling championships.

A study conducted before the coliseum was presented as a possible MAPS 4 project found that arena events in 2017 drew more than 1.1 million visitors to the fairgrounds and $211.5 million in direct spending at the venue, as well as at hotels, restaurants and other related businesses. The study estimated the new coliseum would generate a 10% increase in direct spending and create 370 additional jobs.

Construction on the new coliseum is scheduled to be complete in mid-2025.

A city-owned venue that will be operated by Oklahoma State Fair Inc., the completed coliseum will feature seating for more than 7,000 people, a lounge, suites, a full-service restaurant, several upscale concession areas, an audio-visual suite and a sophisticated catwalk system.

Originally called State Fair Arena, Jim Norick Arena debuted in September 1965. Costing $2.4 million to build, the arena was financed in part by an OKC city bond, with the remaining funds coming from the Oklahoma State Fair.

Renamed Jim Norick Arena in 1971 in honor of the influential OKC mayor, the venue has hosted legendary concerts by the likes of Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin and Chris LeDoux, along with a vast array of sporting events, horse shows, circus performances and Oklahoma State Fair events. It has been the local stopping point for touring "Disney on Ice" shows since 1987 when “Walt Disney's Snow White On Ice, featuring Mickey Mouse” glided into the arena during the state fair.

Jim Norick Arena is even the place where at least one Country Music Hall of Famer got her start: In 1974, iconic rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden arranged for an unknown singer and Chockie native named Reba McEntire to sing the national anthem when the arena hosted the National Finals Rodeo. Country artist Red Steagall, who was also performing there during the NFR, was so impressed by Reba's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that he helped her land her first recording contract.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Plan ahead for Oklahoma State Fair 2023 traffic due to construction