October is beginning with a familiar Mid-South tradition, and Lakeland families will not have to travel far to take part. The Mid-South Fair returns Thursday, October 1, for 11 days of rides, entertainment, food, and family activities at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.[1] Located about a 30-minute drive from Lakeland, Tennessee, the fair offers residents an easy option for an afternoon, evening, or weekend fall outing without requiring a lengthy road trip.
The 2026 Mid-South Fair runs through Sunday, October 11, bringing together classic carnival attractions with live entertainment, animal experiences, and youth activities. This year’s schedule includes more than 50 rides, pig races, a petting zoo, magic, circus-style performances, and a full lineup of live music.
That combination of proximity and variety makes the fair particularly convenient. Families can head to Southaven after school or work, make a full weekend day of the trip, or plan their visit around a specific concert or attraction. With schedules changing throughout the 11-day run, taking a few minutes to plan ahead can help visitors make the most of their trip.
A Mid-South Tradition Close to Home
The Mid-South Fair has a history stretching back to 1856 and today operates as a nonprofit community service organization headquartered at the Landers Center. Along with entertainment, the organization has traditionally incorporated scholarships, student art, youth talent competitions, and other opportunities for young people into the annual event. The Landers Center is located in Southaven, just across the Tennessee-Mississippi state line and roughly 30 minutes from Lakeland under typical driving conditions. That puts a major regional fall event within reach without families having to dedicate an entire day to traveling.
The 2026 fair begins with a special opening-day celebration on October 1. A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Landers Center’s Nissan Entrance, followed by a ceremonial ride drop on Kong Tower. The 90-foot attraction will descend to officially mark the beginning of this year’s fair. Opening-day admission and parking will be free from 4 to 10 p.m.[2] That makes Thursday an especially accessible opportunity for families who want to visit the fair early in its run. Ride costs and other purchases are separate, however, so visitors should review current pricing before arriving.
More Than 50 Rides Are Planned
For many children and teenagers, the midway remains the main attraction. The Mid-South Fair says visitors will have access to more than 50 rides during this year’s event, ranging from attractions geared toward younger children to more intense thrill rides.
Among the recognizable attractions is the Ferris wheel, while the 2026 lineup also introduces the Anarchy ride. Fairgoers can also expect features such as mirror mazes and a giant slide.
Kissel Entertainment is providing the midway this year. Ride armband prices vary depending on the day of the week, and families planning to spend significant time on the rides may want to compare those prices before choosing when to attend. Beyond rides, traditional carnival games and food vendors will be located throughout the grounds. Funnel cakes, candied apples, turkey legs, corn dogs, fresh lemonade, and Pronto Pups are among the fair foods visitors can expect to encounter.
Pig Races, Animals and Live Shows Add to the Fun
Families do not have to spend the entire visit moving from one ride to another. The 2026 fair includes a sizable collection of ground attractions and scheduled performances.
Pig races and the petting zoo return this year, along with pony rides and a parakeet experience. The fair is also adding a grizzly bear experience to its animal-related attractions.
Scheduled entertainment includes the Fearless Flores motorcycle show, Henry Rivera: Magic & Illusions, and the Clowning Around Stage Show. These attractions provide families with opportunities to take breaks from the midway while still having something to watch or explore.[3]
Because performances can occur at specific times, visitors interested in seeing a particular show should check the day’s schedule before heading out. A little advance planning can make it easier to fit rides, meals, and performances into a single visit without missing an attraction that children particularly want to see.
Live Music Will Fill the Main Stage
Music is another significant part of this year’s schedule. The Main Stage will host local performers as well as touring artists throughout the fair. Country performers Tyler Nance and Drew Baldridge are among the scheduled artists. The lineup also includes Memphis-area and regional acts such as Almost Elton John and Chinese Dub Embassy, along with DJs and additional performers.
Several days will have their own musical focus. Latino Day is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, while the final day of the fair, Sunday, October 11, will feature Gospel Day. Concert performances on the Main Stage are included with fair admission.[4] The relatively short drive also makes it possible to build a fair visit around a particular performance rather than feeling obligated to fit everything into one long day. Families interested primarily in a concert could arrive later in the day, enjoy a few attractions and food beforehand, and then head home after the performance.
Young Performers Get Their Own Spotlight
The Mid-South Fair is not solely about professional entertainment. Its annual Youth Talent Contest continues to provide younger performers with an opportunity to take the stage. The junior division, for participants ages 9 through 12, begins with preliminary competition Saturday, October 3, at 10 a.m., followed by the Junior Grand Finals on Sunday, October 4, at 2 p.m.
The senior division includes performers ages 13 through 21. Preliminary rounds are scheduled from October 4 through October 9, followed by semifinals on October 10 and the Grand Award Finals on October 11. Cash prizes are awarded to acts in both age divisions, and eligible participants can also have future scholarship opportunities connected to the competition.[5] For families with children interested in music, dance, or performing arts, the competitions provide another reason to spend some time away from the midway and see young talent from around the region.
Check Prices and Specials Before Leaving Home
Admission prices vary depending on how and when tickets are purchased. During the fair’s October 1–11 run, published prices are $13 for adults and $8 for children and seniors when purchased online. Box-office prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Ride armbands are separate from general admission and also vary by day. Special promotions are scheduled during the fair, including discounted or promotional ride days. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Families should also be aware that the midway operates without cash. Credit and debit cards and tap-to-pay options can be used for rides. Reverse ATMs are available for visitors who arrive with cash and need to load funds onto a prepaid card.[6] Checking current ticket, ride, and promotion information ahead of time can be particularly helpful for larger families, since choosing a promotional day could make a noticeable difference in the overall cost of the outing.
Know the Rules Before Packing for the Fair
A little preparation can also make getting through the entrance easier. The fair has a clear-bag policy and restrictions on what visitors can bring onto the grounds. Prohibited items include coolers, outside food, lawn chairs, backpacks, weapons, fireworks, and several other items. Empty reusable water bottles are permitted, while pets are generally prohibited except for service animals assisting guests with disabilities.
Families attending with young children may also want to establish a meeting location soon after entering the grounds. Fairs can become crowded, particularly on weekend evenings, and choosing an easy-to-identify location gives family members a place to meet if anyone becomes separated.
Comfortable walking shoes are another practical consideration. Between the midway, food stands, animal attractions, and entertainment areas, visitors can cover plenty of ground over the course of an afternoon or evening.
An Easy October Outing From Lakeland
One of the biggest advantages of the Mid-South Fair is its proximity. With the Landers Center approximately 30 minutes from Lakeland, families can experience the atmosphere of a traditional fair and still make it home the same evening. That makes the event adaptable to different schedules. Younger children may be happiest with the petting zoo, pony rides, and kid-friendly attractions during a daytime visit. Older children and teenagers may head directly for the midway. Other visitors may prefer watching the pig races, catching a magic performance, listening to live music, or simply walking around with a favorite fair food. The fair’s 11-day schedule provides plenty of opportunities to make the trip. A family could choose a weekday evening after school, plan a Saturday or Sunday outing, or select a particular date based on entertainment and promotions.
The 2026 Mid-South Fair runs October 1 through October 11 at the Landers Center, 4560 Venture Drive in Southaven. Hours, entertainment schedules, promotions, and attraction availability vary by day, so families should check the latest schedule before leaving home. For those ready to welcome October with carnival rides, live music, animals, games, and traditional fair food, one of the Mid-South’s longest-running traditions is only about a half-hour from Lakeland.
[1] Landers Center, “Mid-South Fair.” https://www.landerscenter.com/events-and-tickets/mid-south-fair
[2] DeSoto County News, “Ribbon-Cutting and Ride Drop to Kick Off Mid-South Fair on Oct. 1.” https://desotocountynews.com/desoto-county-news/ribbon-cutting-and-ride-drop-to-kick-off-mid-south-fair-on-oct-1/
[3] Discover DeSoto, “A Look at the 2026 Mid-South Fair.” https://www.discoverdesoto.org/blog/2026-mid-south-fair-sneak-peek
[4] Choose901, “The Mid-South Fair Returns Oct. 1-11!” https://choose901.com/the-mid-south-fair-returns-oct-1-11/
[5] Landers Center, “Youth Talent Forms & Info.” https://www.landerscenter.com/mid-south-fair/contests/youth-talent-forms-info
[6] DeSoto County News, “Mid-South Fair 2026 Opens Oct. 1 at Southaven’s Landers Center.” https://desotocountynews.com/desoto-county-news/mid-south-fair-2026-southaven/
