Tickets selling fast after Arkansas State Fair announces return of Barton Coliseum concerts

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A decision to bring back a classic venue that featured names like Elvis and Johnny Cash to the Arkansas State Fair this fall is already bringing increased ticket sales.

For 40 years, Barton Coliseum was the premier concert venue for the state, and some of the biggest concerts happened during the Arkansas State Fair, but all those concerts moved outside 20 years ago.

Tim Hamilton said was 14 when he saw Elvis in 1972, noting it was his favorite experience at the venue which hosted a hundred Hall of Famers between Country and Rock and Roll.

“It’s intimate. Even if you’re in the top row, you’re not very far up, so you just feel a closeness to the stage,” Hamilton said. “I’ll never forget that moment when he (Elvis) walked out on the stage.”

A few of those big names now hang in the Old Statehouse Museum that Hamilton visited Thursday. He said he is excited to see national headliners return.

“Barton Coliseum was the place in Arkansas for so many years to see a concert, and anybody and everybody played Barton Coliseum,” Hamilton said.

Will Hornburg is in charge of fairgrounds sales & promotions and said they’ve seen “a lot of excitement” for the coliseum’s return as a concert venue.

Hornburg explained the seven national acts over three days will not throw off the groove of livestock activities people expect at the fair because the new flooring allows them to switch from dirt floors and back overnight

The buzz behind Barton has already resulted in sold-out seats in the front row. The remaining tickets cost $40, $50, or $25 depending on seating. $25 tickets in the stand do not have reserved seating.

“It’s hard to find a concert for $25 anymore, and you’re getting that concert for $25 and free admission to the fair,” Hornburg said.

According to Hornburg, the acts and budget are conservative for 2024. By selling concert tickets apart from general admission, staff can measure how many people are coming to the fair specifically for a concert, and budget accordingly in the future while respecting Barton Coliseum’s past.

The concert lineup is the first of many big announcements for the 2024 Arkansas State Fair. More on rides, food, and other entertainment will come before the fair 10-day season from Oct. 11-20.

Among the upcoming performances this year are Quiet Riot, Ginuwine and Chase Rice. Tickets can be purchased online .

Do you have some favorite photos from seeing concerts at Barton Coliseum? Share them with us at KARK.com/NewsPics .

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