Save on State Fair gate admission and carnival ride wristbands

Discounted gate admission and carnival ride wristband tickets are now available for the 2014 Missouri State Fair at Missouri Break Time Convenience Stores, Orscheln Farm and Home Stores and Walgreens. These savings, and the free entertainment bonanza being offered, help to make the State Fair an affordable destination for families.

"The Fair's Box Office and three retail partners are offering $6 adult gate admission tickets now through Aug. 6," Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. "Regular admission tickets at the gate will be $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for children age 6-12 and free for children age 5 and younger. I believe the prices for admission are very reasonable for the quality showcase being offered."

A single-day unlimited carnival ride wristband, which includes one-day Fair admission, is $27 and is available through Aug. 16 at all three retailers. In addition, Walgreens is selling a variety of tickets, including a $45 jumbo pass, which includes four consecutive days of carnival rides and Fair admission, as well as a single-day unlimited carnival ride wristband for $21. These offers are on sale now through Aug. 6, exclusively at Walgreens.

Regular price wristbands at the carnival midway will be $25/weekdays and $30/weekends.

The diverse lineup of professional free entertainment at this year's Fair will provide hours of enjoyment for all ages. New shows include the SwashChucklers Comedy Pirate Show, Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet," Team Rock, The Alley Cats and Scott Bruce: Tribute to the King of Rock & Roll.

Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove is a new show, which will be on the Kids Stage, sponsored by McDonalds. His approachable style and ability to immediately connect with the audience has made him a favorite, especially with parents, many of whom have dubbed him the "Jimmy Buffett" for kids.

Team Rock is a new group that will be performing on the Ditzfeld Stage. This team of national champion martial arts experts has been wowing audiences around the country with highflying, jaw-dropping performances that showcase an extraordinary display of martial arts skills and theatrics.

Also, joining the State Fair lineup is Terry DaVolt's Comedy Hypnosis Show, performing on the Touchstone Energy Stage. Volunteers will become the stars of the show as they relax and go on a daydream that Terry likes to call "an imagination vacation!" Ruckus, also a new act on the Touchstone Energy Stage, is a four piece rock band with a blend of classic rock and blues.

Acts, which will be returning this year, include Ronald McDonald sponsored by McDonald's, Those Funny Little People sponsored by Sonic, Sweeney Family Band Country Comedy Review sponsored by Ditzfeld Transfer, Inc. and MC Power, Amazing Anastasini Circus sponsored by MFA Agri Services, Hedrick's Pig Races sponsored by Jim's Tire Service, and Hedrick's Petting Zoo sponsored by Sam's Club.

Fairgoers will also have an opportunity to see two performances of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, sponsored by Starline Brass. The show will be held at 6 p.m. Aug 7 and 8 in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Mounted contestants will compete in this fast action timed event using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specialty prepared blank ammunition.

The 112th Missouri State Fair, themed, "Harvest the Fun!," will be held Aug. 7-17 in Sedalia. In addition to the bonanza of free entertainment, the state's largest agriculture showcase will feature a full schedule of premium livestock shows and competitive exhibits, also free with gate admission. For more information, visit www.mostatefair.com and follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).