The Kansas State Fair announced a new payment plan option for concert tickets this year. The program allows fairgoers to spread payments over multiple months at no additional cost.
“We’ve had some people saying, ‘Wow, I’d love to go, but I can’t afford it right now,’” Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said. “This way, it gives you the opportunity to pay it over the next few months.”
The payment option will be available for the Jo Dee Messina concert on Sept. 13, and for previously announced concerts as well, including performances by Trace Adkins, Gabriel Iglesias and Russell Dickerson.
Schulz said the fair also plans to recognize military veterans during the Sept. 11 Trace Adkins concert, with selected veterans expected to join Adkins on stage.
Beyond concerts, preparations continue across the fairgrounds ahead of opening day Sept. 11. Schulz said crews are busy with painting, construction and improvement projects throughout the grounds.
Among the major projects is ongoing renovation work inside the Bison Arena, which will create approximately 13,000 square feet of usable space for exhibits and events, including the upcoming Rolling 250 Museum display.
The fair is also continuing fundraising efforts for restoration work on the historic Ye Old Mill attraction. Schulz said planned improvements include canal repairs, updated boats and other aesthetic upgrades while preserving the ride’s historic character.
"The old mill has been around the hutch area for many, many years. Was located down on South Main for a few years and then was moved up to the Kansas State Fair in 1915," said Shulz. "Since then, it has been a very iconic piece to the to our fair. And you know, we're we want to make sure that it is ready for future future people coming to the fair."
Schulz added, "So we want to do our updates. We want to seal the canal. There's a few areas where it's starting to crack. We're just wanting to upgrade it for esthetics and things."
Additional free entertainment planned for the 2026 fair includes returning acts such as Ron Diamond, the pig races, BMX stunt performances, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show and interactive attractions for families and children.
The 2026 Kansas State Fair runs Sept. 11-20 in Hutchinson.