Play on the midway: South Plains Fair under way with fun, food and more

The 2023 edition of the Panhandle-South Plains Fair kicked off Thursday with its traditional preview night ahead of a nine-day run in Lubbock.

The fair runs every day through Sept. 30 at the fairgrounds at Broadway and Avenue A, bringing a few improvements and some returning features, including a clear-bag policy, beer sales and enhancements in parking and air conditioning.

On the agenda at the Lubbock fair

Jennifer Wallace, general manager for the Panhandle-South Plains Fair, told the Avalanche-Journal ahead of the opening day that there will be dozens of booths run by non-profit food vendors, including familiar favorites like the Science Spectrum, area churches, band boosters and service organizations.

Fairgoers should notice a significant change before they even walk into the fairgrounds - an enhanced parking lot. Wallace said a contractor working the 19th Street re-improvement project donated about 100 loads of parking lot surface material for milling what had been a plain dirt parking lot. With the recent rainfall - and the obligatory chance for more during the fair - Wallace said she's hopeful the improved surface will make parking easier.

"If it does rain, hopefully that'll help us from having a big mudhole in the parking lot," she said.

Inside the fairgrounds, several evaporated cooling units have been added to the seating area in the livestock pavilion. They've also added eight permanent covers to provide shade over picnic areas on the Midway.

"We tried to make some changes this year to help people," Wallace said. "We get feedback from people after every fair. A lot about parking or air conditioning, and we're always working to improve on that. All the money we make through the year goes back into the facility."

The Reithoffer midway show will be back, showcasing its carnival attractions including the Ferris wheel, carousel and wide assortment of thrill rides and rides for kids. Reithoffer will also introduce a new attraction in its lineup - the New York, New York fun house, Wallace said.

The price for admission tickets is $10 for adults, age 13 and up, and $5 for children ages 2 to 12. Children 1 and younger are admitted for free. Parking in the large lot near the fairgrounds costs $5 per vehicle.

Ride tickets can be purchased in the carnival area for $1.50 per single ticket, with deals for buying them in bulk and specials on some days.

Wallace said she's hoping for another year of strong attendance. Last year, the fair saw a 5 percent increase in attendance over the 184,877 people who come to the fair in 2021.

Enhanced security at the South Plains Fair

This year, Wallace said, fair organizers opted to continue implementing a clear-bag policy out of an abundance of caution. There will be signage in the parking lot before entry to inform visitors of the clear-bag policy.

"It's for the safety and security of everyone," she said when the fair implemented the policy last year. "Most people are already pretty familiar with clear-bag policies from other events, and we'd rather be safe than sorry."

South Plains Fair continues beer sales

For the second year in a row, beer will be served on tap and in cans at this year's fair, Wallace said. Last year, she acknowledged the move to introduce beer didn't come without a bit of heartburn, but she said there's also been a growing call for the refreshment. At the time, she said the South Plains Fair was one of the few in the state that hadn't offered beer sales.

Beer will be served in select locations, including a beer trailer with standard domestic tap beer (Bug Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, etc.) on tap for $5 for 16 ounces. There will also be canned options at various points in the non-profit food row. Beer can be consumed throughout the fairgrounds, but not beyond the gates.

With beer in the mix, Wallace said, organizers are also taking increased precautions, including stopping beer sales two hours before the fair closes and that increased law-enforcement presence.

The fair will also feature its usual lineup of agricultural and livestock competitions, art displays and vendors, as well as an assortment of sideshows and musical acts.

A new free attraction - the Extreme Raptors show - will feature hawks, eagles, vultures and other birds on the south end of the fairground in what fair organizers call "Entertainment Alley."

On average about 170,000 people have attended the fair, although more have turned out the last two years.

Special days at the South Plains Fair

Sunday, September 24th Family Day: Kids 17 and under admitted free before 9 p.m.

Monday, September 25th Veterans Day: Any veteran gets in the gate for $5.

Tuesday, September 26th Senior Citizen’s Day: Persons 60 years of age or older get in the gate for $5.

$2 Tuesday: Each ride is $2 a piece

Thursday, September 28th College Night: Present your current college ID and get in the gate for $5.

Thursday, September 28th is also Wristband Day: $40 Wristband to ride unlimited rides from 3 to 11 p.m.

Gate hours

Sunday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Fridays: 8 a.m. – Midnight

Saturdays: 8 a.m. – Midnight

Paid hours

Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturdays and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Carnival hours

Monday – Thursday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Fridays: 3 p.m. – Midnight

Saturdays: 11 a.m.– Midnight

Sunday: 11a.m. – 11 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Play on the midway: South Plains Fair under way with fun, food and more