A Ferris wheel is one of the carnival rides a part of the annual East Texas State Fair in Tyler. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

The East Texas State Fair kicks off this weekend in Tyler with more carnival rides, food, games and entertainment.

The 10-day event will include musical performances, a sea lion show, stunt show, exhibits, livestock shows, face painting, a butterfly encounter and more.

“It’s an exciting time, and it is the largest event from Tulsa to Houston, from Shreveport to Dallas,” East Texas State Fair President John Sykes said. “About 250,000 people visit the fair each year, and it’s probably one of the largest economic impact events … in all of the area.”

Musical performances will include the return of JB & the Moonshine Band at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sykes said.

“They haven’t been together in years. That’s going to happen on our music stage,” he said. “We have all kinds of wonderful music.”

Other musical performances include Caden Crawford, 7 p.m. Saturday; TJC Jazz Band, 2 p.m. Saturday; UT Tyler Jazz Ensemble, 6 p.m. Sept. 28; Clay Logan Band, 7 p.m. Sept. 29; Luke LaPrade, 7 p.m. Sept. 30; and Polo Urias, 7 p.m. Oct. 1.

And then there’s the fair food.

“We definitely have our most popular returns, but we’ve got some new foods, too — too many to really announce here,” Sykes said. “Food is the No. 1 reason people come to the fair.”

Sykes said this is the 106th East Texas State Fair.

“And we’ve been here in the same location since 1912,” he said. “So, our facilities are not the best for certain, but we’re going to get stronger and better in the next years to come.”

Although the East Texas State Fair is a huge event, Sykes said the main focus has always been on quality.

“I just want to have a quality event. That means safe, secure and joyful. And that’s what we work so hard on producing — a family fun, 10-day event,” he said. “The fact that it’s big … is not what we designed it to be. But when it becomes big, you’re doing something right.”

What: East Texas State Fair

When: Sept. 22-Oct. 1

Hours: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends 

Where: East Texas State Fairgrounds, 2112 W. Front St., Tyler

Admission:  $10 adults, $6 children 6 to 12 years old, free children under 6; carnival wristband, $35

Schedule and information: https://www.etstatefair.com/