TEXARKANA, Ark. -- The 78th Four States Fair & Rodeo opened to a whirlwind Friday as a strong thunderstorm moved the area.
By 5 p.m., as the clouds cleared, fairgoers started to arrive and line up for the rides on the midway.
General admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Armbands will be sold for unlimited rides.
The fair runs through April 9. Gates open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Monster Mash is March 31, the Demolition Derby is April 1, and the rodeo is April 6-8. Box seats are $25, adult general admission is $20 and child general admission is $15. Children 3 and younger will be admitted to arena events for free.
Admission to either the Monster Mash, derby or rodeo also grants admission to the midway.
Tickets can be purchased online at FourStatesFair.com. They also are available at the Four States Fairgrounds box office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Patrick Martinez, of San Antonio, puts the finishing touches on a caricature on Day 1 of the 78th Four States Fair & Rodeo on Friday evening, March 31, 2023, in Texarkana, Ark. Martinez is with Quick Draw Caricatures. More of his artwork can be found on Instagram @Pattytricks. (Staff photo by Stevon Gamble)
Ethan Rost, of St. Joseph, Tenn., inserts sticks into apples being prepared as candy and caramel apples ahead of the 78th Four States Fair & Rodeo on Friday afternoon, March 31, 2023, in Texarkana, Ark. Rost and family are operating two stands this year. The business was started several years ago by his grandmother, Florence Elam. "We're all just trying to carry on her legacy," Rost said. (Staff photo by Stevon Gamble)
Daniel Friedlein, a worker with Amusement Midway Providers, arranges stuffed animal prizes at the Zombie Shootout before the start of the 78th Four States Fair & Rodeo on Friday afternoon, March 31, 2023, in Texarkana, Ark. (Staff photo by Stevon Gamble)