fair guide

The Eastern Idaho State Fair is welcoming one of its most diverse grandstand lineups in recent memory as it prepares for its 124th annual run, Sept. 4-12, at 97 Park Street in Blackfoot. This year’s fair celebrates with the patriotic theme “Red, White and Blue Jeans,” tying into America’s 250th anniversary. The nighttime grandstand schedule at the Bank of Commerce Grandstand reflects that ambition, blending pop, country and comedy into a nine-night run that also includes perennial crowd favorites like the Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo and the Demolition Derby.

Fair General Manager Brandon Bird said finding the right performers is both art and science. “You want the energy, and the energy comes from finding that right artist,” Bird said. “We think we’ve done a pretty good job this year with a lot of high-energy and very accomplished entertainers.”

The nine-day run kicks off Friday, September 4, with Grammy-nominated rapper and pop hitmaker Flo Rida. With chart-topping anthems including “Low,” “Right Round” and “Good Feeling,” and more than 100 million records sold worldwide, the Miami-born performer is expected to deliver a high-energy show packed with nonstop hits. The opening night performance sets the tone for what Bird called a lineup built on momentum and crowd engagement.

Tickets for the Flo Rida show start at $55 and are available at etix.com.

On Thursday, September 10, comedian Gabriel Iglesias — known widely by his nickname “Fluffy” — takes the stage in what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated comedy events in the fair’s recent history. Known for his larger-than-life storytelling, hilarious characters, and sold-out shows around the world, Iglesias is bringing a night of nonstop laughs and unexpected twists to Blackfoot.

Iglesias has been one of the top-grossing stand-up comics in the country for more than a decade, building a global following through his Netflix specials, “One Show Fits All” and “Stadium Fluffy,” and his lead role in the NBC sitcom “Mr. Iglesias.” His appearance marks the first time a comedian of his profile has headlined the Eastern Idaho State Fair grandstand in recent years.

Tickets for the Iglesias show start at $55.

Country music’s most decorated newcomer of the past three years, Nate Smith, takes the grandstand Friday, September 11. Smith has accumulated more than 2.9 billion global career streams and became the first artist in Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart history to launch a career with three straight multi-week No. 1 singles, including the 3x Platinum “Whiskey On You,” the record-setting 10-week consecutive No. 1 “World on Fire” and Platinum hit “Bulletproof.”

Smith won the 2024 ACM New Male Artist of the Year award and has since continued his ascent, earning a fourth consecutive No. 1 with the current single “Fix What You Didn’t Break” on Sony Music Nashville. His trajectory from losing his home in California’s devastating 2018 Camp Fire to headlining fairs and arenas across the country has become one of country music’s defining comeback stories of the decade.

Tickets for the Nate Smith show start at $55.

The concert headliners are bookended by a full slate of arena events that have drawn generations of Eastern Idaho families to Blackfoot each September.

Bull Riding Championships take place Saturday, September 5, followed by the Western Truck and Tractor Pull on Sunday, September 6. The Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo runs three consecutive nights, Monday through Wednesday, September 7-9, before the comedy show on September 10 and the country concert on September 11. The fair closes Saturday, September 12, with the ever-popular Demolition Derby.

Each night grandstand event ticket includes free fair gate admission the day of the event. Visitors need only present their grandstand ticket at the gate for entry.

“There’s no better place to celebrate the spirit of 1776 than in Blackfoot,” Bird said. “This year’s fair blends hometown tradition with big-name entertainment, all set against the backdrop of community, pride, agriculture and good old-fashioned fun.”

What began in 1902 as a livestock show has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated annual events, drawing more than 250,000 visitors over nine days. The fair features competitive entries ranging from fine arts and baking to needlecraft, along with more than 270 food and commercial vendors.

Grand Champion Sponsors for the 2026 fair are Bingham Healthcare and Teton Auto Group.

Tickets for all grandstand events are available at etix.com. More information about the Eastern Idaho State Fair is available at funatthefair.com or by calling 208-785-2480.