OUR STORY
1955-1975
The Greater Gulf State Fair has a storied past beginning in 1955 when a group of members of the Mobile Junior Chamber of Commerce, now known as the Mobile Jaycees, incorporated the Greater Gulf State Fair. Our first home was at Blakeley Island before moving to Ladd Stadium. In its early years, the Greater Gulf State Fair’s stage played host to such rising stars in the entertainment world as young Elvis Presley.
1975-2017
Eventually, the Greater Gulf State Fair grew to a size where it needed a permanent location to call home. In 1975, the Greater Gulf State Fair purchased a 90-acre site at the intersection of Cody Road and Zeigler Boulevard in Mobile entirely with proceeds from the operation of the annual fair. This property is affectionally named The Grounds.
2017-present
The Grounds received a 70-acre extension in 2017. The property boasts a permanent grandstand, indoor facilities with over 2 acres under roof (including multiple ballrooms and the prized multi-purpose Hocklander building).
During the Greater Gulf State Fair’s ten-day run, it attracts over 100,000 people to enjoy the entertainment and ride the midway rides. Every year the property turns into “a city unto itself” for 10 days complete with its own power grid, police/medical control center, restaurants, and much more for the annual Greater Gulf State Fair.
