Morgan County Fair boasts new attractions, more free events

A variety of tractors will take part in the Morgan County Fair's annual Antique and Farm Tractor Pull, held at 7 p.m. July 15 at the fairgrounds grandstand arena in Versailles, Mo.
A variety of tractors will take part in the Morgan County Fair's annual Antique and Farm Tractor Pull, held at 7 p.m. July 15 at the fairgrounds grandstand arena in Versailles, Mo.

The Morgan County Fair Board is changing its grandstand arena events and expanding its free attractions this year to garner even more interest in the nearly 80-year-old festival.

A partnership with the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce's annual free Concert in the Park event and inclusion of Wednesday's new Obstacle Course Challenge and Fun Night are just a few of those changes at the fair, scheduled July 12-15 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Versailles.

"With the popularity of 'American Ninja' Warrior and 'Wipeout'-type shows, the fair board is going to have a fun obstacle course that will challenge the whole family," said Morgan County Fair Board President J.T. Gerlt, who added the board plans to include crawling, climbing, jumping, balancing and weight stations on the course challenge from 6-9 p.m July 12. "We hope to have a lot of kids and adults try out the course. There will be no charge to participate or just come out and cheer on the competitors. If this event goes well, it will be back next year with new and bigger obstacles and challenges."

The Concert in the Park on July 14 will feature Jefferson City's own regional rockers Five Turn Knot. The Family Fun Zone will open at 5:30 p.m., offering lots of free activities for children. At 6:30 p.m., Five Turn Knot will take the stage at the fairgrounds, delivering hits from bands like Journey, Bruno Mars, Guns and Roses, AC/DC, REO Speedwagon and Elton John.

Gerlt said other crowd favorites will return to the Morgan County Fair grandstand arena, including the Dirt Bike, ATV and UTV Rodeo at 7 p.m. July 13 and the Antique and Farm Tractor Pull at 7 p.m. July 15, featuring the Mid America Tractor Pullers Association. Gates open for the Dirt Bike, ATV and UTV Rodeo at 5 p.m., with sign-up at 6 p.m.

Guests also flock to the fair for one of its most important pieces: 4-H and FFA project showcases and competitions.

"The youth put a lot of work into getting their animals ready for the competitions," Gerlt said. "The Morgan County residents and youth that participate in the home (economics) and agriculture competitions are truly some of the best in the state."

Check-in for those projects is 5-7:30 p.m. July 11, with 4-H and FFA ham check-in at the home economics building. The home economics division check-in is 6-8:30 p.m. July 12 at the home economics building, and judging for the hay bale decorating contest will take place the same day. Home economics division check-in continues 7:30 a.m.-noon July 13, with the home economics division auction at 7 p.m.

A slew of competitions begin July 14, starting with rabbit, poultry and swine check-ins from 7-8 a.m., with swine and rabbit shows beginning at 9 a.m. The poultry show will follow the rabbit show.

Cabbage patch check-in is noon-5 p.m. July 14, with open pee-wee swine, goat and bucket calf check-in 5-5:30 p.m. The open bucket calf show starts at 6 p.m., followed by the pee-wee swine, bucket calf and pee wee goat shows.

Cattle, goats and sheep check-in is 7-8 a.m. July 15, with the dairy goat, goat and sheep show at 8 a.m. The 4-H Bucket Calf Show, dairy show and beef show will follow. A premium sale is also scheduled for 3 p.m. July 15.

Throughout the three-day fair, visitors can enjoy rides and games from new carnival company this year, Show-Me Amusements from Fisk, opening 6-10 p.m. July 13 with a special arm band night for $20 per person. With free WiFi on the fairgrounds courtesy of Co-Mo Connect, attendees can also feast from an array of choices at the Versailles Lions Club Cook Shack, as well as quench their thirst with Bee's Knees Ale House's craft beers, serving Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at the fair.

Gerlt said the fair board also makes sure the historic fairgrounds and buildings are updated and renovated. The first fair at the Morgan County Fairgrounds was in 1942, just one year after the original fair sponsors, the Versailles Lions Club, formed the Morgan County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, or fair board, in 1940 to run the event.

"This year the fair board has undertaken the project of replacing two buildings on the fairgrounds that date back to the late '40s or early '50s. One of our major projects this year has been a new building on the fairgrounds, as well. The building includes an office, restrooms, storage for the fair board and the undercover area for the open air market. We hope to have that building complete and landscaping done by the fair," Gerlt said, noting the total cost of the latter project is $60,000, with $40,000 donations received to help cover expenses.

For more information about the Morgan County Fair, contact Gerlt at 573-378-0823, visit the Morgan County Fair Facebook page or view this year's full fair book at extension.missouri.edu/morgan.

MORGAN COUNTY FAIR 2017 SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 12

Home Economics Division Check-in, 6-8:30 p.m. at Home Economics Building

Hay Bale Decorating Contest Judging

Obstacle Course Challenge & Fun Night, 6-9 p.m. (free admission)

Thursday, July 13

Home Economics Division Check-in, 7:30 a.m.-noon

Home Economics Division Auction, 7 p.m.

Dirt Bike, ATV and UTV Rodeo, 7 p.m. at Grandstand Arena (gates open at 5 p.m., sign-up at 6 p.m., racing starts at 7 p.m.; free admission to watch and $20 to enter)

Friday, July 14

Cabbage Patch Check-in, noon to 5 p.m.

Swine Check-in, 7-8 a.m.

Rabbit and Poultry Check-in, 7-8 a.m.

Swine Show, 9 a.m.

Rabbit Show, 9 a.m.

Poultry Show immediately following Rabbit Show

Open Pee-Wee Swine, Goat and Bucket Calf Check-in, 5-5:30 p.m.

Open Bucket Calf Show, 6 p.m.

Pee-Wee Swine Show immediately following Bucket Calf Show

Pee-Wee Goat Show immediately following Pee-Wee Swine Show

Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce's Concert in the Park and Kids Fun Zone featuring Five Turn Knot, 5:30-9 p.m. at Grandstand Arena (free admission)

Saturday, July 15

Cattle, Goats and Sheep Check-in, 7-8 a.m.

Dairy Goat, Goat, and Sheep Show, 8 a.m.

4-H Bucket Calf Show immediately following Sheep Show

Dairy Show immediately following Bucket Calf Show

Beef Show immediately following Dairy Show

Premium Sale, 3 p.m.

MATPA Antique and Farm Tractor Pull, 7 p.m. at Grandstand Arena ($5 admission)