Kansas State Fair Announces Parking Lot Closures and Shuttle Service Following Heavy Rainfall

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair announced Monday that all on-grounds parking lots will remain closed until further notice following heavy rainfall that has rendered the facilities unsafe for vehicles.

The closures affect all fairground parking areas except handicapped parking near Gate 5 on State Fair Road, which remains available for guests displaying valid handicapped placards.

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, fairgoers may park on the west side of the Hutchinson Sports Arena at 700 E. 11th Street in Hutchinson. Three shuttle buses will operate every 15 minutes, transporting patrons between the alternate parking site and the fairgrounds with drop-off and pickup at Gate 9 on Plum Street.

The shuttle service will run continuously throughout fair hours, with the final bus departing the fairgrounds at 10 p.m. Fair officials are advising guests to allow extra travel time and exercise patience during the transition.

"The recent rainfall has made our on-grounds parking lots unsafe and unusable," said Bryan Schulz, Kansas State Fair general manager. "We are grateful to local partners including the City of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Community College for providing alternate parking solutions, and we appreciate our guests' flexibility and patience in using the shuttle services."

Livestock exhibitors who purchased Purple or Tan Lot Parking will retain access to their designated areas. The Will Call office at Lot C on Plum Street will remain open and accessible to guests.

Fair officials plan to reassess parking lot conditions after 48 hours to determine when on-grounds parking can safely resume.

The Kansas State Fair continues through Sunday, Sept. 14, featuring its full schedule of entertainment, exhibits and attractions. Visitors can find the latest updates, including any schedule changes, at www.kansasstatefair.com or through the official Kansas State Fair mobile app.

The fair, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to Hutchinson, typically operates multiple large parking areas on the fairgrounds to accommodate the substantial daily attendance during its 10-day run.