By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Visitors to the 2026 Kansas State Fair will have an opportunity to see new exhibits inside the Bison Arena and explore a traveling museum highlighting 250 years of American history.
Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz said Monday that work is progressing on the second phase of renovations inside the Bison Building at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.
The current phase of the project is expected to provide approximately 13,000 square feet of usable space. Schulz said the area will be open during the fair, which is scheduled for Sept. 11-20.
“We’ve got a couple different things that are going to go on in there during fair time, so that’ll be really nice,” Schulz said.
The Kansas State Fair is also working with a company to begin fundraising efforts for a third phase of the project. That phase would finish the interior of the building and add interactive exhibits centered on Kansas agriculture and products made in the state.
“The company I’m going to meet with is going to be the ones that are going to set up all the interactive information on the inside to learn where your food comes from and all the products and everything that are made here in Kansas,” Schulz said.
The Bison Arena project is one of several additions planned as the Kansas State Fair prepares for a year filled with milestone anniversaries.
Schulz said the fair will host a traveling museum celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The rolling museum is expected to be located near the north end of the Midway.
“This will give all the history of the United States over the last 250 years,” Schulz said.
Schulz said Kansas is one of approximately six state fairs expected to host one of the traveling museums. He said securing the exhibit required persistence as plans for the nationwide tour came together.
“It was not for a lack of trying,” Schulz said. “I called the person that coordinates it probably every other day, left messages, emailed her, texted her, whatever. I think she finally caved.”
The opening day of the fair will also fall on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Schulz said the fair is planning several events for Friday, Sept. 11, including its Hometown Heroes promotion. Additional details are expected to be announced later.
Country singer Trace Adkins will perform that evening at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand.
“It is something that’s very near and dear to all of our hearts, and I know that it’s very near and dear to Trace Adkins as well,” Schulz said.
Schulz recalled that he was on his way to work on Sept. 11, 2001, when the attacks occurred. One of his colleagues was flying into Washington, D.C., for a meeting and was diverted safely.
“My heart still goes out to all those people that didn’t make it,” Schulz said.
The fair will also recognize the 120th anniversary of 4-H and the 35th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse near Gate 5.
The fair’s grandstand entertainment schedule is also nearing completion.
Along with Adkins, the fair has announced BigXthaPlug for Saturday, Sept. 12; Jo Dee Messina for Sunday, Sept. 13; Hairball for Tuesday, Sept. 15; Danny Gokey and Colton Dixon for Wednesday, Sept. 16; comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias for Thursday, Sept. 17; and Russell Dickerson for Friday, Sept. 18.
Schulz said three additional announcements remain. The Kansas State Fair is working to finalize performers for Monday, Sept. 14, Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20. He said the second Saturday is likely to feature a rock show.
The remaining announcements are expected by the end of this month.
Recent rainfall has also benefited the fairgrounds. Schulz said the pond at Lake Talbot is filling naturally, reducing the need to pump water into it ahead of the fair.
The 2026 Kansas State Fair will run from Sept. 11-20 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson.