The 114th Missouri State Fair
It’s that time of the year again where thousands of residents from all across the state will start heading to Sedalia for the Missouri State Fair. Since 1901, the state fair has allowed farmers, craftsmen, artists, ranchers and regular Missourians looking for entertainment to come together for fun and friendly competition. The 114th Missouri State Fair will take place Aug. 11-21 at the beautiful state fairgrounds in Sedalia.
Like many, I have fond memories of the State Fair. As a youth, I spent many hours working at the FFA Children’s Barnyard while my father served as the local FFA advisor in charge of the event. Each year, one of the things I enjoy most about visiting the State Fair is seeing families making similar new memories that they will cherish for years to come.
As usual, our state’s number one industry is at the focal point for this year’s celebration. Some new competitions this year, like the red angus cattle show, the eight-horse hitch class draft show and the combined 4-H and FFA youth dairy cattle show will allow Missourians of all ages to come and take part in contests that promote our state’s agriculture industry.
There will also be lots of live and free entertainment over the course of the fair, including musical acts, carnival rides, tractor pulls and stunt shows. Here are some of this year’s entertainment highlights.
- Thursday Aug. 11 – Opening day celebration and grand parade at 6 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 12 – Brett Eldredge and Belles & Whistles
- Friday, Aug. 12 – 2016 Missouri State Fair Queen Pageant coronation at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 13 – John Kay & Steppenwolf, Foghat and Molly Hatchet
- Sunday, Aug. 14 – Missouri State Fair Shootout and Championship tractor and truck pull event
- Thursday, Aug. 18 – Governor’s Ham Breakfast at 8 a.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 20 – Lady Antebellum and Kelsea Ballerini
- There will also be a rodeo, motocross racing, tractor and truck pulls, an auctioneers’ bid calling contest, barbeque cook-offs, the 2016 Missouri State Fair Idol competition and a demolition derby going on throughout the week.
The State Fair offers affordable fun as well, with daily deals on admission packages and low prices for single-day tickets. Advance adult single day tickets can be purchased online at www.mostatefair.com for $8, or you can get them for $10 at the gate when you arrive. Children ages 6-12 can get in for $2, and if they’re under 5, they get in free. Single-day parking is also free.
Another exciting development for this year’s fair is the introduction of Amtrak’s special $5 kids’ fare for children ages 2-12 who take the Amtrak Missouri River Runner train to Sedalia. The train has stops in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Washington, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Lee’s Summit, Independence and Kansas City. Up to two children who are accompanied by an adult will be eligible for the reduced price. Visit Amtrak.com for more information.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or
(573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District.