State Fair Attendance Grows Alongside Traditions

Not only were traditions growing at this year’s Missouri State Fair, so too were attendance figures.  Governor Mike Parson’s office announced Monday morning that close to 350,000 visitors made their way to the fairgrounds in Sedalia for last month’s event, a 2.5 percent increase from last year.  This is the second straight year that attendance increased compared to the previous year, and is the highest-reported attendance in five years.  Attendance was boosted by a sellout Grandstand concert August 11th headlined by Lainey Wilson, while Nelly’s performance August 18th was almost a sellout.

Records were reported throughout the fairgrounds.  This year’s carnival midway achieved record hauls on the first Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.  Over 25,500 livestock and competitive entries were exhibited at this year’s fair, including a 37-percent jump in dairy cattle and 30 percent more rabbits.  Indoor entries which include hams and bacon as well as apiculture and horticulture, were up by a third.