Come Home for Family Value Day, Thursday, Aug 8
The 117th Missouri State Fair, themed “Come Home,” begins this Thursday, Aug. 8, in Sedalia. Visitors to the Fair on opening day can look forward to the deals being offered on gate admission and at participating concessions and vendors. The day, sponsored by MFA Incorporated, will offer $4 gate admission for visitors age 13 years old and older, $2 admission for ages 6-12, and free admission for kids 5 and under every day. Select concessions and vendors will be offering 2 for $4 specials.
The Opening Day Ceremony will kick off the 117th Fair beginning at 11 a.m. on the South side of the Agriculture Building. Special guests will include Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe and Second Lady Claudia Kehoe, Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, state and local legislators including Senator Sandy Crawford and Representative Brad Pollitt, State Fair Director Mark Wolfe, and members of the Fair Commission. In addition, 100 youth representing the Boys and Girls Club of West Central Missouri will be in attendance and enjoy the Fair’s opening day, thanks to the generosity of many sponsors including KCP&L, McCarthy Toyota of Sedalia, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Grown and Wade Shows.
The Opening Day Parade will begin at 6 p.m. and includes more than 80 entries. This year, the parade will feature a Grand Marshal. Leroy Van Dyke will lead the parade down State Fair Boulevard. Van Dyke, a Pettis County resident, has performed on the Pepsi Grandstand stage many times since starting in the 1960s and has supported the Fair in other ways including serving as the auctioneer for the Sale of Champions. Other parade entries will include antique and classic cars, farm vehicles, the Smith-Cotton Marching Band, the World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales, University of Missouri Mule Team and various Fair-themed entries.
Opening Day will feature the first ever Military Flag Retreat Ceremony at 5 p.m. located by the flagpole just inside the Centennial Gate. The ceremony will kick off the 11-day ceremony series honoring veterans and active duty military with a flag lowering and presentation. The ceremony is sponsored by Capital Materials, Starline Brass and Retrieving Freedom, Inc.
The Queen Pageant and Coronation will be held at 6 p.m. in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. MRCA Show-Me State Stampede and Rodeo, presented by your Area RAM Dealers, starts at 7 p.m. in the State Fair Arena, sponsored by Husqvarna, The Budweiser Stage will feature the Nace Brothers at 2, 6, and 9 p.m. Dwight Yoakam with opener King Leg will kick off the Pepsi Grandstand concert series at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks, sponsored by Bryant Motors, to follow. Tickets for the Pepsi Grandstand and State Fair Arena can be purchased at the State FairBox Office, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 6-8 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 8-18.
Live Singing Competition Features Missouri’s Best Homegrown Singer
The Missouri State Fair Homegrown Singer Contest is something fairgoers won’t want to miss! Sponsored by Bimbo Bakeries USA and located in the Budweiser Tent, the live singing competition brings loads of fun and family friendly entertainment. Singers from all over the state will compete in this exciting vocal talent event.
While at the Fair, take a listen to all of the talented individuals who are in competing for the grand prize of $500 and a chance to sing at the 2020 Fair. Preliminary rounds start at 4 p.m. on Aug. 8-11, semifinal rounds are at 4 p.m. on Aug. 15-17, and the final round is at 2 p.m. on Aug. 18.
Enjoy Live Entertainment on the Budweiser Stage
Stop by the Budweiser Stage daily at the Fair and enjoy free live entertainment. The Budweiser Stage features daily live entertainment featuring artists and bands and artists that will have you singing and dancing along.
Here is this year’s line up:
THURSDAY, AUG 8 – Nace Brothers, 2, 6 & 9 pm
FRIDAY, AUG 9 – Cedar Creek Band, 2 & 6 pm; Members Only, 9 pm
SATURDAY, AUG 10 – Jason Brown, 2 & 6 pm; Broseph, 9pm
SUNDAY, AUG 11 – The Supermatics, 2, 6 & 9 pm
MONDAY, AUG 12 – Full Moon Band, 2, 6 & 9 pm
TUESDAY, AUG 13 – The Supermatics, 2, 6 & 9 pm
WEDNESDAY, AUG 14 Big Riggs, 2 & 6 pm; The Stolen Winnebagos, 9 pm
THURSDAY, AUG 15 – Retroactive, 2 & 6 pm; Platinum Rock Legends, 9 pm
FRIDAY, AUG 16 Little Dixie Revival, 2 pm; Brandon Lay, 6 pm; Dirt Road Addiction, 9 pm
SATURDAY, AUG 17 Jeremiah Johnson Band, 2 & 6 pm; Dirt Road Addiction, 9 pm
SUNDAY, AUG 18 Little Dixie Revival, 4 pm
Learn more about the Missouri State Fair and other events here.
