The Moniteau County Fair will be celebrating its 155th annual edition starting Saturday, July 31, kicking off a week of fun and games for the whole family.
Travis Peck, Moniteau County Fair Board President, said while the fair will not have a carnival this year, the board has been hard at work to make sure there are still plenty of activities for the community to enjoy.
Peck said there are a number of events set to be available at this year's fair. This includes the Youth Art Show, which will be held on the upper level of Centennial Hall; livestock shows presented by 4-H and FFA groups set to be held Monday and Tuesday; the MMTTPA Sanction Truck and Tractor Pull and Kiddie Tractor Pull on Monday; and a livestock auction Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, we still don't have what I call a full-fledged carnival, but I do have a company called Carnie King Entertainment and they are bringing blow-up entertainment for the kids to play on, along with games like a carnival would normally have," Peck said. "Our fair has a very rich tradition of being well-supported by the community, and I think that other than the carnival, everything else is still (going to) be the same."
Peck said bounce houses will be brought in for children to play with during the fair in the absence of a carnival. Other returning events include the Miss Moniteau County Scholarship Contest and the Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau Contest, the Four Wheeler ATV rodeo, the Demolition Derby, the Bull Bash and many others.
One new addition is a building on the Moniteau County Fairgrounds - new restrooms have been built, and the interior of the building should be complete in time for this year's fair. Peck said this a very important addition to the fairgrounds, and the Fair Board is happy to be able to offer updated services and amenities to anyone in attendance.
Peck said, in general, he hopes the community can simply find the time to come out and enjoy the occasion - and thank a fair volunteer when you see them.
"I just want the community to know that the Board of Directors have worked hard again this year to put on this county fair," Peck said. "We (have) a lot of volunteers that help throughout the year and throughout the week to put this on and if anybody sees people that they know who have helped, just thank them because it is very time-consuming for the volunteers."
Condensed fair schedule
Saturday, July 31: Fair Ham Breakfast, 7-9 a.m.; Parade, 5 p.m.; "Steak Night" Moniteau County Cattlemen's Association Dinner, 5 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 1: Community ensemble, 7-7:30 p.m.; Ministerial Alliance vesper service, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 2: Livestock shows, starting with breeding swine show at 9 a.m.; Kiddie Tractor Pull, 7 p.m.; MMTTPA Sanction Pull, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 3: Livestock shows, starting with lamb show at 9 a.m.; Junior Livestock Auction, 7 p.m., Livestock Sale Barn; Miss Moniteau County Scholarship Contest, 6 p.m., followed by Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau Contest; Draft Horse Pull, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 4: Senior Citizens Day, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Garden Tractor Pullers of Mid-Mo, 7 p.m.; Halter Calf Show, sponsored by Versailles Livestock Auction, 7 p.m.; Bull Bash, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 5: Baby Show, 6 p.m. in front of grandstand; Junior Ham Auction, sponsored by 4-H, 6:30 p.m., Livestock Sale Barn; Four-Wheeler Rodeo, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 6: Compact Figure 8 Scramble, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7: Demo Derby, 7 p.m.