The Mighty Thomas Carnival appears at the 2023 Rapides Parish Fair is scheduled to appear in Alexandria on October 11-15. The bustling traveling show will provide thrilling rides, fun games, and tasty carnival treats to the fair for the 38th straight year. The Rapides Parish Fair will be held at the new fairgrounds located at 8149 Highway 71 just south of LSU-A for the fourth year. Founded in 1928 in Lennox, South Dakota, by Art B. Thomas, the carnival is now based near Austin, Texas, and is providing its 90th season of summer fun and excitement for fair-goers at 50 events in 12 states.​

The fair will have great family entertainment, livestock shows, exhibits, great food, thrilling carnival rides, and some special surprises in store.  By putting something you made in the fair, you help encourage others, especially kids.  The fair needs you. Enter an item (or maybe even several.) It's easy, it's fun, and you'll be helping make the fair a great community event. Who knows, you may even inspire someone else to be creative. Visit the barnyard nursery!