SEDALIA – As the barn doors begin to open for the 2023 Missouri State Fair, we’re sharing what’s new for livestock shows and contests coming to the Fair. A complete list of competition updates can be found on our website.
Several shows and contests have rule updates. One in particular to note is for the Agriculture Department for ham, bacon, summer sausage, snack sticks and jerky exhibitors. New in 2023 – all hams, bacons, summer sausages, snack sticks and jerky must be pre-entered by 5 pm on July 25 (a late fee does apply for items entered after this deadline). Additional rules updates for the 4-H/FFA Horse Show, Gypsy Horse Show, Draft Horse Show and Beef Cattle are listed on the website.
New contests/shows offered in 2023 include:
- 4-H/FFA Horse Show: New Youth Equine Fine Arts, Public Speaking and Demonstration Contests
- Agriculture: New Flavored Bacon Contest and New Dairy Products Coffee Creamer Division
- Home Economics: New Rug Hooking Classes
- Missouri First Lady’s Pie Contest: New Youth Division (16 & Under)
- Rabbits: Several new classes
For complete information about what’s new in State Fair shows and contests, visit the Competition Updates page.
Entry Deadlines
The Missouri State Fair is getting closer and time is ticking down to enter Fair shows and contests! Below are the upcoming deadlines for some of the shows and contests the Fair offers.
- June 23: Fine Arts, Missouri Top 50
- July 3: 4-H/FFA & Open Livestock Entries, 4-H/ FFA Horse Show and Mules
- July 15: Queen Contest
- July 20: Agriculture: Horticulture by 5 p.m.
- July 20: Fine Arts: Missouri Junior Top 50, Photography, Porcelain, Amateur/Professional
- July 20: Home Economics: All Entries
- July 21: Opening Day Parade Entries by 5 p.m.
- July 25: Draft Horse, Draft Horse Pull, Pony Pull, Gypsy Horses
- July 25: Agriculture: Country Hams, Mild Cured Ham, Bacon, Sausage, Snack Sticks & Jerky by 5 p.m.
- July 28: Horseshoe Pitching
- July 31: Agriculture: Dairy Products
- August 1: Truck and Tractor Pulls & Barbecue Contest
- August 6: Apiculture by 5 p.m.
The online Premium Guide, a comprehensive tool for State Fair exhibitors, is available on the Fair’s website. It contains rules and regulations for livestock shows and contests, entry deadlines and links to enter. The deadline for livestock entries is July 3, including the 4-H/FFA Horse Show and mules. After that date livestock exhibitors will only be able to enter with a downloadable paper entry form available on the website; no online entries will be accepted for livestock entries after July 3. A late fee will be added to all livestock entries submitted by paper entry form after the July 3 deadline. Please note different entry deadlines for certain Equine competitions. For more information about entry deadlines, please visit the Fair’s website.
For complete information, visit the online Premium Guide. Start your tradition showing livestock or entering a contest at the 2023 Missouri State Fair, Aug. 10-20 in Sedalia.