PASCAGOULA—Whether you are into the thrill rides, deciding on the best gumbo from food booths or checking out the livestock in the county barn, the annual Jackson County Blue Ribbon Fair has a little something for everyone.
And 2025 is no exception as the fair is celebrating its 105th year of operation. Although the fair celebrated 100 years in 2020 but was canceled that year due to COVID, it hasn’t missed a beat. The Jackson County Fair annually recognizes a variety of youth activities and groups, awards school groups for creativity in creating booth displays, and promotes what makes Jackson County special.
Promoted as the largest free fair, there is no admission to enter the fairgrounds, view the exhibits and livestock, check out the homemade baked goods and crafts entered for competition or just to stroll the midway and support local churches and non-profits at the food booths. Tickets to experience the rides on the Midway are available through the grounds, and armbands will be available for special events.
Social media chatter among Jackson County residents during fair week is always analyzing which booth has the best gumbo. While everyone has a favorite, the Pascagoula Elks Lodge seems to be a local favorite followed by Lighthouse Church.
Marc Turner, chairman of the board of directors with the Elks, says the secret behind the gumbo success at the Elks booth is that the name of the gumbo chef is kept a secret.
“This is our first year to have a food booth during the Jackson County Fair,” Turner said. “It is fantastic that we are being discussed as a gumbo favorite.”
The Jackson County Fair opened on Sunday, October 19, and will continue through Sunday, October 26. A complete list of event times and competitions is available on the Jackson County Fair Facebook page. The fair features midway rides, church and food pavilions, and local food truck vendors. The Civic Center features commercial and educational booths and the arts building will display a variety of homemade baked items, jellies, woodworking and handcrafts entered for competition.
A longtime favorite of Fairgoers is the Jackson County Fair Barn that features livestock and crops. You may not find Wilbur with Charlotte’s magnificent web, but guests will observe prize-winning, home-grown crops, roosters, chickens, rabbits and goats. Moving through the maze of livestock stalls are cows with calves, steers with impressive horns and so much more.
The barn, arts building and civic center open daily at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Midway rides are open nightly from 4 to 10 p.m. with extended “Super Friday” hours until midnight and “Super Duper Sunday” from 12:30 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
