SHREVEPORT, La. — The 119th State Fair of Louisiana opens Thursday at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport and runs through Nov. 16. Fair hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Opening week promotions include free gate admission before 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, and $5 gate admission after 3 p.m. on opening day, Oct. 30. Advanced discount gate tickets and ride armbands are available through Wednesday, Oct. 29, and discount rodeo tickets through Friday, Oct. 31. Rodeo tickets can be purchased at Greenwood Feed, Seed, and Hardware; Paul’s Farm and Garden Supply; or online at statefairoflouisiana.com. Parking is free daily.

Concerts on the main stage this week include Ladies Night and Timera Clark on Friday, Crystal Thomas and Bigg Robb on Saturday, and Charlotte’s Web, The Slurred Words, and Anxious on Sunday.

The Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association Finals, presented by Hebert’s Town & Country and the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, will be held in Hirsch Coliseum with two rodeos Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and one Sunday at 3 p.m. Nightly awards will follow each rodeo.

A VIP event, “Glitz and Grit,” will take place Nov. 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Lasso Lounge before the 7 p.m. rodeo. The $101.50 ticket includes box seating, catered dinner by Shavers Catering, live music, and two complimentary beverages.

Fair officials urge attendees to review safety and security policies before arriving. All bags are subject to search, and oversized bags are not permitted. Policies include a clear bag requirement and youth minor attendance rules for visitors under 18.

Advance discount tickets are available at Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, and Spring Market locations or online through Wednesday, Oct. 29. Additional event details, concert schedules, and policy information are available at statefairoflouisiana.com.