148th Moniteau County Fair draws to a close

Attendance was good at the 148th Moniteau County Fair. The weather was warm, but not too warm, with a Wednesday evening rain break. The many smaller fair events, such as the halter calf show, washer board competition, horseshoe pitching, kiddie tractor and art hall draw their own audiences and participants. The bigger events and the carnival bring in more people to pay the gate fee.

According to the members of the fair board, attendance was up slightly Monday and Tuesday, but down Wednesday, likely because of concern of a looming storm. On Wednesday night, wind, lightning and rain caused the carnival rides to shut down about the time the racing was over. The rainfall, over and inch in places, caused cancellation of Thursday's Horseback Team Penning event, because of the extremely wet condition of Sappington Arena.

The crews worked hard to preparing the Main Arena for the events, such as Monday's Truck and Tractor Pull, Tuesday's Queen and Little Miss and Mr. contests, Wednesday's Extreme 4 Wheeler Racing, Thursday's full-size and compact Demolition Derbies, Friday's Compact Figure 8 Scramble and Tuff Truck Challenge and Saturday's Mid-America Tractor Pullers Association event and Baby Show. The milder temperatures on Saturday made it more comfortable for participants and audience alike for the Baby Show.

The work crews also prepared Sappington Arena for Monday's Kiddie Tractor Pull, Tuesday's draft horse pull, and the Martin's Bluegrass Music and Rural Roots. There was the Gillam Family Illusion Show, rides for the brave and for the more fainthearted, carnival games and a number of vendor booths.

Tuesday was a free night, featuring the Miss Moniteau County Queen Contest and Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau Contest. Food items available included variety to satisfy almost any tastes, including the traditional funnel cakes, corn dogs, hot dogs and burgers. There were available as well beverages such as cold pop, lemon and limeade and cool treats. Cattlemen's Steaks were available following the parade on Saturday, Aug. 3.

The Kiwanis Ham Breakfast was on the last Saturday, Aug. 10.

With the 2014 fair at an end, planning can begin to make the 149th fair of 2015 a great lead up to the 150th in 2016.