Our Opinion: Attractions enhance fair's agricultural traditions

News Tribune editorial

Instead of candied apples and country music, a single hog show once formed the backbone of the entertainment on tap at the early Cole County Fair.

More than 50 years ago, the creation of an event for a few men to show their hogs resulted in the inception of the popular late-summer fair. Organizers added horse shows and horse racing to the lineup of events near the turn of the 20th century, according to a 2012 News Tribune article.

During the next several years, the current Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair has evolved into a local entertainment venue featuring renowned country artists, colorfully metallic carnival rides, various mud-slinging arena events and, of course, the occasional heart-stopping fried delicacy.

Despite the gradual transformation of the fair from a purely agricultural festival, the agricultural mainstays of the fair remain largely intact.

In addition to the constant presence of farm-raised livestock at the fair, livestock shows attract moderate crowds throughout the week.

While the Marshall Tucker Band and Parmalee - two bands slated to perform at this year's fair - may dominate the covers of fair promotional materials instead of hogs or cattle, agriculture still captures a subtle center stage at the fair, as opposed to a back seat.

Although crowds may not venture to the fair on a Friday or Saturday night just for a gander at this year's crop of goats and lambs, their ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl and presence at an arena event or concert still provides indirect support for 4-H and other local agricultural programs.

As long as acclaimed artists and high-horsepower engines continue to captivate crowds and ensure the popularity and attendance of the fair as a whole, 4-H participants and other budding agriculturists will have a platform through which they can educate and showcase their agricultural achievements to the local community.

Instead of a distraction from the agricultural foundation of the fair, the variety of events at the fair represents the continuing diversification of enterprises in the community, one in which agriculture will continue to remain stalwart.

This is wholly due to the talented and dedicated young men and women who raise livestock throughout the year in order to care for and showcase them at the fair - and maybe grab a funnel cake or ferris wheel ride in between.