Moniteau County Fair to build off family traditions, past successes

Volunteers serve customers during a previous ham breakfast during the Moniteau County Fair. The breakfast will return Saturday, Aug. 3.
Volunteers serve customers during a previous ham breakfast during the Moniteau County Fair. The breakfast will return Saturday, Aug. 3.

The Moniteau County Fair is slated to begin Saturday.

The fair will run through Aug. 10 at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds located on East South Street in California.

This will be the 153rd consecutive edition of the fair, which is known as the oldest continuous fair west of the Mississippi.

Part of this storied history is the family of Tammy Hoellering, who serves as treasurer on the fair's board. Hoellering said she has been serving on the board for more than 20 years. Even before then, the fair has been a family tradition - she said her father also served on the board, so she spent plenty of time around the fair while growing up.

As far as this year's fair goes, Hoellering said not much has changed in terms of the daily events taking place throughout the week. She said fairgoers can expect the usual popular standards, such as the Figure 8 Scramble on Friday and the Demo Derby on Saturday. The Kay Brothers, a band with a local connection, will return to perform Thursday night.

The few notable changes this year largely revolve around the fair schedule. The Senior Citizens Day, previously held Thursday during past editions of the fair, will instead take place Wednesday. The Fair Ham Breakfast will still open the fair but will be hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles instead of the Kiwanis Club.

Hoellering said the Figure 8 Scramble has been the fair's biggest night for the past several years, and she anticipates that trend to continue.

As for herself, Hoellering said her favorite night has always been the tractor pull, but she also looks forward to simply seeing old friends during the week.

The Moniteau County Fair schedule is as follows:

Saturday

Fair ham breakfast: 7-9 a.m.

Art Hall entries (4-H only): 9 a.m.

Wayne Bueker Trail Challenge: 10 a.m. at the main arena.

Parade: 5 p.m.

Awards: following the parade.

Moniteau County Cattlemen's Association Dinner: 5 p.m. in Centennial Hall.

Sunday

Youth Art Show entries: 9-11 a.m.

Judging of youth art show: noon.

Art Hall open class: 1-5 p.m.

Judging of Art Hall entries: 6:30 p.m.

Community Ensemble: 7-7:30 p.m. at the main arena.

Outdoor vesper service Ministerial Alliance: 7:30 p.m. at the main arena.

Monday

Breeding swine show, breeding beef show, breeding sheep show and goat show: 9 a.m.

Poultry show and rabbit show: 5 p.m.

Art Halls open: 6-10 p.m.

Tractor pull: 6:30 p.m. at the main arena.

Kiddie tractor pull: 7 p.m. at Sappington arena.

Professor Farquar & Polecat Annie performances throughout the night.

Horseshoe pitching (doubles only): 7 p.m.

MMTTPA sanction pull: 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Lamb show, goat show, market hog show, junior and homegrown steers: 9 a.m.

Art Halls open: 6 p.m.

Miss Moniteau County scholarship contest, followed by Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau Contest: 6 p.m. at the main arena.

Jesse Rohrbach and Gang: following contests.

Junior livestock auction/livestock sale barn: 7 p.m.

Draft horse pull: 7 p.m. at the Sappington arena.

Professor Farquar & Polecat Annie performances throughout the night.

Horseshoe pitching (doubles only): 7 p.m.

Wednesday

Senior Citizens Day: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Art Halls open: 6-10 p.m.

"Hart" Land garden tractor pull: 7 p.m. at the Sappington arena.

Rodeo: 7 p.m. at the main arena.

Professor Farquar & Polecat Annie performances throughout the night.

Washerboards: 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 8

Art Halls open: 6-10 p.m.

Baby Show: 6 p.m. in front of grandstand.

Halter calf show: 7 p.m.

ATV Rodeo: 7 p.m. at the Sappington arena.

The Kay Brothers: 8 p.m. at the main arena.

Horseshoe pitching (doubles only): 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9

Art Halls open: 6-10 p.m.

Compact & SUV/Mini Van Figure 8 Scramble: 7 p.m. at the main arena.

Horseshoe pitching (doubles only): 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10

Art Halls open: 6-10 p.m.

Junior ham auction/livestock sale barn: 6 p.m.

Washerboards: 7 p.m.

Demo Derby: 7 p.m. at the main arena.

Bluegrass Martins: 7 p.m. at Sappington arena.

For more information about the fair, visit the Moniteau County Fair page on Facebook.