Moniteau County Fair time is next week

Every year there are changes for the Moniteau County Fair. With major changes in the Baby Show, this year is no different.

The 2018 Baby Show starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 9. This year is an open show for babies. Anyone can enter children of appropriate age. There is no residency requirement and no registration fee. Registration is from 5-5:45 p.m. Judging will take place in front of the grandstand.

All winners in each category are asked to remain for photographs. For information, contact Sally Vogel at 573-796-4851.

For other fair events and activities this year, the pre-festivities, including the parade, begin Aug. 4. It closes Aug. 11, with the Martins Bluegrass Music starting at 7 p.m. at the Sappington Arena and the Demolition Derby, also starting at 7 p.m., at the Main Arena.

The Fair Ham Breakfast is from 7-9 a.m. Aug. 4 at Centennial Hall.

The Wayne Bueker Memorial Trail Challenge begins at 10 a.m. in the Main Arena. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The event is to promote good horsemanship skills and provide an educational venue.

The evening gets really 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 County Cattlemen's Association "Steak Night" also starts at 5 p.m. at Centennial Hall.

The Moniteau Saddle Club Sho-Me Circuit Horse Show begins in the main arena at 5:30 p.m. Entry fee is $5 per class, $2 per horse office fee. For more information, contact 573-301-6845.

The Vespers Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 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 efforts for the community.

The fair officially begins 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. There are four classes of events.

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 is from 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. In the main arena, The Kay Brothers will perform at 8 p.m

The Tuff Truck/Compact Figure 8 Scramble starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 10. For the Tuff Truck Challenge, vehicles 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 others paths at right angles.

Saturday, Aug. 11, is the last day of the fair and has several featured events. The Junior Ham Auction, sponsored by 4-H, 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. Martins Bluegrass will perform in Sappington Arena, beginning at 7 p.m.

There are other events of interest at the fair.

Horseshoe pitching starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 6, 7, 9 and 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. They are also open 1-3 p.m. Aug. 12 for articles to be picked up.

General Admission (ages 12 and older) for the fair varies this year. Sunday services are free and there's no charge Aug. 7. Admission Aug. 9 is $5. Admission on Aug. 6, 8, 10 and 11 is $10.

For general information, call Wayne Kunze at 573-338-4714.