Missouri State Fair plans big opening weekend Aug. 10-11

Submitted article

SEDALIA, Mo. – Opening weekend at the Missouri State Fair will be full of thrilling rides, delicious treats, and unforgettable memories! We are kicking off opening weekend with a special salute to our heroes on Saturday, Aug. 10 for Law Enforcement/Firefighter Appreciation Day, sponsored by Pepsi. Law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics receive FREE admission with appropriate ID. Plus, their immediate family members can join the fun for just $1 admission.

 

The Fair is especially grateful for the men and women of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Fair Fire Department who devote their time and energies to keep our fairgoers safe.

Stop by the Highway Patrol booth located just inside the Centennial entrance and don’t skip out on your chance to visit with a State Fair icon Otto the Talking Car next to the MoDOT Highway Gardens.

 

The Missouri State Fair Fire Department provides fire and medical response during the Fair. Staffed by volunteers, they are the only fully operational fire department in the United States that operates for only 11 days a year. Check out the State Fair Firehouse and say hello to the fire men and women, see firetrucks up close and get your picture with Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog.

 

A quick glance at the day’s schedule:

 

  • Happy Meal Party at the Kids Stage, sponsored by Your Local McDonald’s, featuring giant Happy Meal coloring boxes with markers for kids to color, FREE Happy Meal cards, the chance to win a Happy Meal Birthday Party and Happy Meal Kids Contest at 2 p.m.
  • Livestock shows and building competitions all day including jumping mule show, sheep fitting competition and youth show in the Floriculture Building.
  • Exciting free grounds entertainment with Hedrick’s Racing Pig Show , sponsored by Jim’s Tire Service, and Hedrick’s Educational Petting Zoo, sponsored by Big Iron Auctions.
  • See the World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales stalled east of the Mathewson Exhibition Center.
  • Live music featuring Cedar Creek Band and Honky-Tonk Dream on the Budweiser Stage and keep your eyes and ears open for the The Strolling Piano.
  • Goo Goo Dolls with The Fray – 7:30 p.m. in the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance; tickets on sale now Fireworks, sponsored by Missouri S&T, and Spectacular Drone Show, sponsored by VisitMO.com, CFM Insurance, Missouri Department of Conservation, and GoNetspeed, following the concert.

 

Law Enforcement/Firefighter Appreciation Day, Aug 9, is a great day to visit the Missouri State Fair! Check out more of the day’s schedule on the Fair’s website.

 

Sunday, Aug. 11 is Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by GoNetspeed. The Fair is proud to honor our military men and women with FREE gate admission for active military, veterans and delayed entry recruits with appropriate I.D. and $1 admission for their immediate family members.

The Missouri State Fair is thankful to the men and women who have served and our serving our great country. We are excited to host special events for military and their families with displays and activities throughout the day in the Mathewson Exhibition Center and Resource Fair in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall.

A quick glance at the day’s schedule:

  • Free grounds entertainment all day for all ages including B2wins and Radatz Magic on the Touchstone Energy Stage and the new Space Adventures Education Thrill Show, just north of the Carnival entrance.
  • Livestock shows and building competitions all day including mule and donkey shows and the flavored bacon contest.
  • See the World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales stalled east of the Mathewson Exhibition Center.
  • Live music featuring Supermatics on the Budweiser Stage and keep your eyes and ears open for the The Strolling Piano.
  • MSF Shoot Out Truck & Tractor Pull in the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance – All Day ticket for pulls at 12 p.m. & 6 p.m. Tickets on sale now.

 

Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by GoNetspeed, Aug 11, is a great day to visit the Missouri State Fair! Check out more of the day’s schedule on the Fair’s website

Tickets to State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance, the Governor’s Ham Breakfast and $12 advance adult gate admission. These tickets will be available through Etix.com and by phone 1-800-514-ETIX/1-800-514-3849. Starting at noon on Monday, July 1 tickets will be available for purchase at the Missouri State Fair Box Office, located on the Fairgrounds in Sedalia.

 

Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 1 through Aug. 2, expanding to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 5-7 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the Fair, Aug. 8-18. The Box Office is closed July 4 in observance of 4th of July holiday.

 

STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND


The State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance, is the venue for eight concerts, two tractor pulls, and one auto race this year. Children two and under are free to reserved Grandstand concerts, but must sit on adult’s laps. Ticket prices do not include Fair gate admission.

 

  • THURSDAY, AUG. 8 – FOREIGNER FAREWELL TOUR WITH MAGGIE ROSE, 7:30 p.m., $50 grandstand/$60 track with fireworks following the show, sponsored by Missouri S&T.
  • FRIDAY, AUG. 9 – WARREN ZEIDERS WITH SPECIAL GUEST WYATT FLORES, 7:30 p.m., $45 grandstand/$55 track with fireworks following the show, sponsored by Missouri S&T.
  • SATURDAY, AUG. 10 – GOO GOO DOLLS WITH THE FRAY, 7:30 p.m., $60 grandstand/$70 track with fireworks following the show, sponsored by Missouri S&T.
  • SUNDAY, AUG. 11 – MISSOURI STATE FAIR SHOOT OUT TRUCK & TRACTOR PULL, All Day Ticket – 12 p.m. & 6 p.m., $35 adults/$15 youth (ages 6-12)/free kids 5 and under
  • MONDAY, AUG. 12 – PRO PULLING LEAGUE, 6 p.m., $35 adults/$15 youth (ages 6-12)/free kids 5 and under
  • TUESDAY, AUG. 13 – TRACY LAWRENCE WITH RUBY LEIGH, 7:30 p.m., $35 grandstand/$40 track.
  • WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14 – TAUREN WELLS WITH JORDAN FELIZ, 7:30 p.m., $35 grandstand/$40 track.
  • THURSDAY, AUG. 15 – IAN MUNSICK WITH CREED FISHER, 7:30 p.m., $45 grandstand/$55 track.
  • FRIDAY, AUG. 16 – LUDACRIS WITH DAX, 7:30 p.m., $50 grandstand/$60 track with fireworks following the show, sponsored by Missouri S&T.
  • SATURDAY, AUG. 17 – ALABAMA WITH RESTLESS ROAD, 7:30 p.m., $65 grandstand/$75 track with fireworks following the show, sponsored by Missouri S&T.
  • SUNDAY, AUG. 18 – 2024 POWRi 410 SPRINT CARS, B MODIFIEDS & SUPER STOCK RACES, 6 p.m. Hot Laps/7 p.m. Heat Races, $25 adults, $20 military/senior (65+), $10 students (11-17), FREE ages 10 & under