The Moniteau County Fair kicks off with pre-fair festivities including the parade Saturday.
The fair will run through Aug. 11, with the Bluegrass Martins performing at the Sappington Arena and the Demolition Derby in the Main Arena, both starting at 7 p.m.
The Fair Ham Breakfast is 7-9 a.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall.
The Wayne Bueker Memorial Trail Challenge, which promotes good horsemanship and provides an education venue, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Main Arena. Registration is at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday evening gets busy with the start of several events including the annual fair parade, with a theme of "It's Fair Time." The parade starts at 5 p.m. on East Smith Street and all are advised to be there early for the line-up.
The Moniteau Saddle Club Sho-Me Circuit Horse Show begins in the main arena at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact 573-301-6845.
The Vespers Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the main arena at the fairgrounds. The Community Ensemble will provide pre-service and vespers service musical arrangements. Eugene Moeller, president of the California Ministerial Alliance and pastor of California United Methodist Church, will bring the message on I Cor. 13, "The Love Chapter." Other local ministers are included in the service. Offerings support the California Ministerial Alliance's efforts.
The fair officially begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 with the breeding swine show, followed by the other animal events. The art hall and youth art show open at 6 p.m. The non-sanctioned tractor pulling contest begins at 6 p.m. in the main arena. The MMTTPA-sanctioned tractor and truck pulling contest begins at 7 p.m. The pedal tractor pull for children begins at 7 p.m. at the Sappington Arena.
The Miss Moniteau County Scholarship Contest begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 7, followed by the Little Mister and Miss Contest. Jesse Rohrbach and Gang will perform following these contests.
The Draft Horse Pull begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Sappington Arena.
The art halls are open 6-10 p.m. Aug. 8. The rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Events include sheep riding, calves, peewee bulls, junior bulls, open bulls and barrel racing.
Senior Citizens Day at the fair is 1:30-3:30 p.m. Aug. 9. The Children's Barnyard begins at 5 p.m. at the livestock barn. The halter calf show starts at 7 p.m. Also at 7 p.m., the ATV rodeo begins at the Sappington Arena. The Kay Brothers will perform at 8 p.m. in the Main Arena.
Also Aug. 9, the 2018 Baby Show starts at 6 p.m. This year it is an open show - anyone can enter children of appropriate age, and there is no residency requirement or registration fee. Registration is 5-5:45 p.m. Judging will take place in front of the grandstand. For information, call Sally Vogel at 573-796-4851.
The Tuff Truck/Compact Figure 8 Scramble starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 10, with vehicles competing to go over jumps and obstacles in the least amount of time. For the Compact Figure 8 Contest, compact cars scramble through a figure 8 course risking damage while crossing each other's paths at right angles.
Aug. 11, the last day of the fair, features several featured events. The Junior Ham Auction, sponsored by 4-H, will be at the Livestock Sale Barn. Champion and Reserve Champion Hams and Bacon will be auctioned starting at 6 a.m. The Demolition Derby starts at 7 p.m. at the Main Arena. The Bluegrass Martins will perform in Sappington Arena beginning at 7 p.m.
Other events of interest include:
Horseshoe pitching starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 6-7 and 9-10.
The washerboard tournament starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 and 11 in the horseshoe pits.
The art halls are open 6-10 pm. Aug. 6-11.
General admission (ages 12 and older) for the fair varies this year. Sunday services are free, and there's no charge Aug. 7. Admission on Aug. 9 is $5. Admission on Aug. 6, 8, 10 and 11 is $10.
For general information about the fair, call Wayne Kunze at 573-338-4714.