Missouri State Fair

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Missouri State Fair is the state fair for Missouri which has operated continuosuly since 1901 in Sedalia, Missouri. It lasts 11 days. It includes daily concerts, animals, homemade crafts, shows, and many food/lemonade stands. Its most famous show that has run since its inception is its mule show.

1 History
2 2006 Events
- 2.1 Pepsi Grandstand concerts and events
3 External links

[edit] History

In 1897, N. H. Gentry of Sedalia persuaded Missouri Swine Breeders Association to call for the Missouri General Assembly to call to establish a fair. In 1899 a resolution for the fair was introduced by C.E. Clark.

The state considered locating the fair in Centralia, Missouri, Chillicothe, Missouri, Marshall, Missouri, Mexico, Missouri, Moberly, Missouri and Sedalia.

After ten ballots, Sedalia received the majority vote with the highest bid (150 acres). The Van Riper family who originally set the land aside for the location of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri donated the site.

The first Missouri State Fair was held September 9-13 in 1901.

One of the most distinctive aspect of the early fairs was the "white city" which was 24 acres of tents that exhibitors could rent.

The Missouri state Fairgrounds are used for more than 350 days a year with off season usage including camper rallies, livestock shows, organized athletic leagues and tournaments, auto races, craft shows and youth rallies.