ALTENBURG – The ”Best Little Fair in the Land” will open with a parade at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 19, which includes bands, floats and other entries followed by the opening ceremony featuring the parade’s Grand Marshal. Last year a record ten high school marching bands and musical groups from throughout southeast Missouri participated.
There will be a total of eight musical performances on stage during the fair beginning with Jason Heeter at 4:00 p.m. on Friday followed by Still Standing at 7:00 p.m. Saturday’s music will bring a wide variety of music to the stage beginning at Noon with Wes of Blue Collar Roots, Landon Overbey, Julie Triller, Dani Bishop, and Clint Sattler all performing hour-long sets. SilverTone will wrap up the Saturday musical entertainment from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday the traditional awarding of attendance prizes will take place.
The “World Champion” Jumping Mule Competition is held in the arena at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. It features three classes of mules based on the height of the mule plus a fourth open class where the top jumpers from the other classes will participate. The event, which has been held since 1982, had a great turn out of fifteen mules last year thanks to increased prize money and bonuses for breaking the fair record or the world record. Last year’s highest jump of 60 inches came within two inches of the fair record.
The 4X4 Truck Pull starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday at 6:00 pm the Hot Rod Tractor Pull which will again feature the Illinois Hot Farm Stock Pullers will take to the track. Goldstar Amusements, which is a family owned and operated business with over six generations of history, will return with its carnival rides for their third year, as they return to the south after spending the summer in Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.
As always, the fair will feature the judging of entries in home economics, photography, horticulture, field and forage, 4-H, and FFA departments. Most of the livestock judging and shows will take place throughout the day on Saturday ending with the 4-H and FFA sale of all types of livestock at 5:00 p.m.
This year there will be over twenty food and drink stands including traditional fair favorites like grilled cheese sandwiches, pork burgers, corn dogs, and funnel cakes as well as some newer selections. The grilled cheese sandwiches, which are a favorite of the attendees, have been a staple at the fair for over sixty years.
The “Best Little Fair in the Land” is pleased to be able to continue free parking, free admission, and free entertainment, but reminds everyone that having a large crowd in a small town requires patience in dealing with traffic and parking issues. Arrive early to take in as much of the fair as possible before enjoying your favorite entertainment or event.
East Perry Community Fair
Altenburg, Missouri
Schedule of Events 2025
Friday, September 19:
8:00 AM Judging of Poultry and Small Animals
9:30 AM 4-H & FFA Market Lamb/Goat Show
10:00 AM Judging of Hall Exhibits
1:30 PM Parade
2:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
4:00 PM 4H & FFA Barrow Weigh-In
4:00 PM Music by Jason Heeter
5:00 PM 4H & FFA Steer Weigh-In
6:00 PM 4X4 Truck Pull
7:00 PM Music by Still Standing
Saturday, September 20:
8:00 AM 4-H & FFA Steer Show
8:00 AM River Hills Run & 9:00 AM – Kids Run
8:30 AM Judging of Sheep, Goats, & Swine
9:00 AM Judging of Beef Cattle
10:00 AM Judging of Draft Horses & Mules
10:00 AM Pedal Tractor Pull
10:30 AM Dairy Cattle Show
12:00 PM Music by: 12:00 PM Wes of Blue Collar Roots;
1:00 PM Landon Overbey; 2:00 PM Julie Triller;
3:00 PM Dani Bishop; 4:00 PM Clint Sattler
3:00 PM Jumping Mules Competition
5:00 PM 4-H & FFA Sale
6:00 PM Attendance Prizes
6:00 PM Hot Rod Tractor Pull
featuring Illinois Hot Farm Stock Pullers
7:00 PM Music by SilverTone
“The Best Little Fair in the Land”
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Free Parking, Free Admission, Free Entertainment