The Missouri State Fair is a time-honored tradition that dates back to 1901. It’s a celebration of the best of the best of Missouri, and is the premier showcase for agriculture in our great state. Fair staff, superintendents and commission look forward to planning the Fair each year.
COVID-19 has certainly brought its challenges to that planning. At this time, we are still moving forward with preparations, although we have altered timelines and are looking at things from all angles. We are communicating with many partners including other county and state fairs, local and state elected officials, public health departments and others to monitor and stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 situation. The safety of our staff, fairgoers and other partners is of utmost importance to us.
As opening day of the 2020 Fair approaches, we, like you, are anxious to know if the Fair will happen. A lot of work goes in to hosting the 11-day Fair each August. We expect a decision involving what the 2020 Missouri State Fair will look like to be announced in early to mid-June. We will share that information through our website and social media as quickly as we can.
For our exhibitors, schedules and important information including official rules for contests and shows are currently available in the Online Premium Guide. Entry forms are not being released until a decision about the Fair has been made.
Our thoughts continue to be with those fairs who have already had to make the difficult decision to cancel their events, and also with others in the fair industry whose livelihoods have been put on hold because of COVID-19.
To our partners in Missouri 4-H and the Missouri FFA Association, our hearts go out to you as you have had to make some difficult decisions over the last few months. Your resilience is a testament to your organizations’ mission and purpose. We want to assure you that the Fair is still grounded in agriculture and we are committed to providing a place for youth in agriculture to participate in competitions and educational programs.
No doubt we will see more changes as the situation develops. We will continue to work on behalf of all Missourians to bring you the best of the best our great state has to offer. State Fair staff is working and available to answer questions as needed. Feel free to reach out to us by phone 660-530-5600 or by email mostatefair@mda.mo.gov.
We are grateful for your understanding and patience as we work through this together.