Missouri State Fair has 'a little bit for everybody'

Missouri's State Fair continues each year with its main mission "to promote agriculture," Fair Director Mark Wolfe said in a recent interview.

But it also exists to entertain, with a variety of contests, competitions, exhibits and carnival rides. And professionals offering a musical variety.

This year's fair that begins Aug. 13 in Sedalia is no different, Wolfe said.

"We have a little bit for everybody," he said, with "a really good lineup this year."

The first concert, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, features the "Happy Together" Tour with five different bands from the 1960s, plus a solo act.

The concert includes The Turtles, featuring Flo and Eddie; The Association; The Grass Roots; The Buckinghams; The Cowsills; and Mark Lindsay, former lead singer for "Paul Revere and the Raiders."

Tickets are $25 for track seating and $20 for the Grandstand.

Friday, Aug. 14, "is our "Classic Rock' night," Wolfe said, featuring Def Leppard, with two opening acts - Styx and Tesla - beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $65 premium track seats, $60 for the regular track, $55 for premium Grandstand seats and $50 for the regular Grandstand.

Saturday brings the first country concert of the fair, featuring Justin Moore and Easton Corbin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 for the premium track seats, $30 for the regular track, $25 for premium Grandstand seats and $20 for the regular Grandstand.

The Missouri Association Championship Truck and Tractor Pull is Sunday (qualifying) and Monday (finals).

Tickets are the same for both days - $12 for adults and $5 for children 6-12 for the 10 a.m. Sunday or 1 p.m. Monday event, and $15 adults / $6 children 6-12 for the 7 p.m. event - or the "Best Value" $20 adults and $9 for children, all day.

Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. concert features John Michael Montgomery and Belles & Whistles.

Tickets are $20 Track seats and $15 Grandstand.

The Aug. 19 concert is Gary Allan and the Swon Brothers, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for the premium track seats, $30 for the regular track, $25 for premium Grandstand seats and $20 for the regular Grandstand.

The Aug. 20 program features two Christian groups - Casting Crowns and I Am They - starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for Track seats and $20 in the Grandstand.

Friday, Aug. 21, the 7:30 p.m. concert features Alabama and Michael Ray.

Tickets are $40 for the premium track seats, $30 for the regular track, $25 for premium Grandstand seats and $20 for the regular Grandstand.

The final music concert of the fair is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22, with The Fray and Andy Grammer.

Tickets are $40 for the"premium track seats, $30 for the regular track, $25 for premium Grandstand seats and $20 for the regular Grandstand.

And auto racing returns to the Missouri State Fair, three years after an accident left several people injured.

This year's event is the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car National Tour Series, with Hot Laps at 6 p.m. and racing beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for military or seniors; $10 for students (ages 13-16); $8 youth (8-12); and free for kids 7 and younger.

All tickets are reserved - there's no general admission.

"Basically, we took the approach that we wanted to bring racing back," Wolfe said, "and it's like anything else - you learn, sometimes, from accidents how to make things better.

"We've certainly been working to change some of the guardrail systems, and do some things out there to make the track safer."

The Grandstand event tickets are in addition to the regular fair admission, which is $10 adults; $2 for children ages 6-13 and free for those 5 and under.

Link:

www.mostatefair.com