The best traditions honor our heritage while remaining relevant.
The 116th Missouri State Fair, which begins today in Sedalia, continues to celebrate agriculture - among the state's top industries - with exhibits, competitions and educational events.
After more than a century, Fair Commission Chairman Lowell Mohler - himself participating in his 50th consecutive fair - said the commitment to agriculture remains paramount.
"We've done a lot more in the last few years designing ag-education efforts for people who really want to learn where our food comes from," he said.
Fair Director Mark Wolfe echoes the emphasis on agriculture.
"I want people to remember the fair as, 'How good is Missouri agriculture?'" Wolfe said. "The best parts of the fair, to me, are not the food, the music or the rides. It's the ag side."
Other aspects of the fair also blend the traditional and modern.
This year's entertainment, for example, continues to feature the venerable country music genre, but the performers are among the today's most popular singers and songwriters.
The winning combination of old and new continues to attract visitors from throughout the state.
Visitors to the 11-day event typically range from 350,000 to 375,000 annually, occasionally nearing 400,000. Organizers say the fluctuation largely can be attributed to the weather, which can be blistering or steamy in mid-August.
"We have a lot of air-conditioned buildings," Mohler said, adding the fair is designed to offer family-friendly events, activities and events at a "reasonable cost."
The Missouri State Fair traces its roots to Boonville in the 1850s. In 1899, Missouri lawmakers transferred operation to the state and Sedalia won a competition to host the annual event.
Today, visitors begin writing another chapter in history and heritage of this showcase for Missouri.