Family fun awaits you at the 2024 Permian Basin Fair and Expo. The 10-day fair will run August 30 to September 8 at the Ector County Coliseum. The fair is full of family entertainment, live music, shopping and food vendors, and livestock shows.
For 48 years, the fair has been providing entertainment and being a community partner for residents and businesses of the Permian Basin. “We are packing in the fun for 2024. Our fair and expo will have something for everyone to enjoy, we are truly here for the community,” 2024 President Chris Lawson said in a news release. Since 1975, the fair has awarded over one million dollars in scholarships through its scholarship program.
The 2024 fair is debuting several budget-friendly nights. Friday Fundays will offer a $25 combination gate admission and an all-you-can-ride wristband. This offer will be on opening day, Friday, August 30 and Friday, September 6. The Dollar Day special on Labor Day, September 2, returns with a $1 admission and $1 per carnival ride. A Family Fun night will be Thursday, September 5, offering 4 or more wristbands for $30 a wristband. Wright’s Amusements has over 40 rides for fairgoers to enjoy and is the longest-running carnival in North America.
With the gate admission price, you can enjoy specialty acts for the entire family to experience. New this year is Off Axis Stunt Show that will bring the thrill-seeking action. Returning is crowd favorite the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. The masters of wood cutting will keep you captivated while entertaining you with made ax-throwing and log rolling skills. And the Wild West Show, a long-standing tradition at the Permian Basin Fair and Expo, will be part of the daily entertainment. Garden Tractor Pulls and the Petting Zoo are all included with your ticket.
Seventeen musical artists will take the stage during the fair’s run. Regional favorites representing a diverse selection of music will be represented. Johnny Blaine, Cornfed Cadillac, Chris DeAnda, and Sabor Y Ritmo, to name a few, will be bringing their talents. Making her debut is Payton Howie. Howie was nominated Texas Regional Radio’s New Female Vocalist of the Year and 2023 Texas Country Music Awards Emerging Artist of the Year.
The Permian Basin has many options to be involved. Contests include the Talent Show, Jr. and Little Mr. & Miss Pageants, Creative Arts, 4H Archery shoot, seven livestock shows, a Ranch Rodeo, a Dog Extravaganza, Cattle Dog Trials, and more. Once again, the fair will host a qualifier on Saturday, September 7, for the mutton bustin’ for the 2025 SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo.
Be sure to come hungry. The food vendors have an elaborate menu of fair food favorites. From funnel cakes to corndogs, your tastebuds will have options to enjoy. Cooper Concessions, one of the fair’s longest-serving food vendors, will debut a flaming hot Cheetos fried cheese stick. Fried Oreos, street tacos and everything in between can be found in the fair food menus.
A Sensory Night will occur on Wednesday, September 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. During these hours, the music will be lowered and the lights down so those with special needs can enjoy the fair. For more information on tickets or the full schedule, visit pbfair.com.
