A steady hum of conversation, punctuated by orders for corn dogs, pizza, burgers and other fare, blanketed the Arkansas State Fair Saturday, as thousands turned out on a bright, warm early fall day.

The 85th edition of the fair rolled on its second day, as families pushed toddlers in strollers, dads walked with oversized stuffed animals on their shoulders and teens talked, walked and waved to friends as they munched on food, pet livestock, watched sea lions perform and sought out sweet treats.

Patrick Hayes, wearing an old-school Darren McFadden football jersey from the University of Arkansas, wandered around the merchants in the Hall of Industry. His kids were elsewhere on the State Fairgrounds as the group returned for another year of the festivities.

“We go just about every year,” Hayes said. “It’s just fun family time.”

Fair goers were entertained by a trio of sea lions as they performed a variety of tricks, including standing on their flippers, catching hoops around their necks, splashing water and generally acting amusing. The shows, and the sea lions swimming in stage-side pools before and after the performances, drew steady crowds throughout the afternoon.

A few feet away, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and other animals decked out in mock racing silks sprinted, waddled and charged around a track in a race that won’t be mistaken for the Arkansas Derby or the Preakness anytime soon.

The interspecies competition featured animals with names that connected to movies, including a chicken with a Star Wars-themed moniker — “Kylo Hen” — who didn’t finish her race as a goat, lamb and pig outpaced her.

People packed makeshift benches and bleachers, cheering on the animals and laughing as the races, which weren’t necessarily competitive, came to an end.

For those who sought a more sedate competition, the adult open bake competition began about midday. And animal shows, featuring goat showmanship and rabbits gave the fairgrounds a traditional state fair feel.

Across the Midway, more than 40 rides spun, jerked and rocketed riders around, as squeals of delight — or possibly screams of mild terror — echoed from rides that dropped riders from heights, a Tilt-A-Whirl that spun people around and the roller coaster the Crazy Mouse whizzed around the tracks.

A mechanical bull proved irresistible to some, as toddlers and teens alike took on the challenge to ride. After one young boy fell off, his parents offered encouragement.

“Next time,” said his dad as they walked away.

“Eat more vegetables,” the boy’s mother said as they disappeared into the crowd.

Several concerts were scheduled in conjunction with the fair, including Lonestar and David Lee Murphy on Saturday night and rockers 38 Special scheduled to take the stage Sunday night at Barton Coliseum.

If a fairgoer stood in the right place, they could even catch the audio of a television broadcast of the Arkansas Razorbacks football game against the University of Tennessee.

Behind a row of food vendors, David Tominus and Jocelyn Chrzan ran the Butterfly Affect exhibit. For $10, visitors received a stick with a sponge soaked in red Gatorade and were directed into a large, netted tent filled with butterflies.

Once inside, the butterflies would feed on the sugar water on the sticks while visitors took selfies. It’s an exhibit to educate, as well as entertain, Tominus said.

The two were enjoying their first year as a vendor at the State Fair.

“It seems like Arkansas loves us,” Tominus said. “It’s all about moments at the fair.”

Chrzan hopes to be invited back next year.

“We’ve had a good day,” Chrzan said. “We love it.”

Early in the day, Myla James took the crown of Little Toddler Miss Arkansas State Fair Queen, as well as Best Dress and Photogenic. The title is one of about a half-dozen crowns awarded to contestants during the run of the fair.

While Arkansas may be known for barbecue, more than 50 vendors served up an expansive array of edible offerings. Chinese food, turkey legs, burgers, corn dogs and a variety of deep-fried sweet treats such as Oreos, key lime pie and Twinkies, among others — and yes, barbecue — provided almost anything someone’s taste buds could want.

And once fueled up, Midway games ranging from balloon popping to shooting water at a target offered chances to win a variety of prizes as rewards.

Fairgoers were challenged to hang from a metal bar for two minutes in hopes of winning $150. Within an hour’s time Saturday afternoon, a half-dozen people paid the $10, stepped up and grabbed the bar.

Only one made it more than a minute.

The State Fair put a new traffic pattern in place this year, requiring guests arriving from the west on Roosevelt Road to turn right onto South Schiller Street and drive south toward the south parking lot. Those arriving from the east will be directed toward the north lot, just north of Roosevelt.

And, as always, there were plenty of neighborhood residents with whistles offering parking on their lawns for prices ranging from $10 to $20.

The 84th edition of the fair in 2024 drew more than 500,000 people over the 10 days it ran. Good weather and lots of attractions drew the crowd.

The fair continues through Sunday, Oct. 19.