News

Changes on the horizon at the Missouri State Fair

Infrastructure at the Missouri State Fair is getting a refresh in the next two years.

Director Jason Moore says there have been many changes at the Missouri State Fair in the past two decades and “I can’t imagine the changes they would have seen from the original fair in 1901, but I would hope we’re doing those generations proud.”

Events at the State Fair Arena have been cancelled this year due to the start of the construction of a new indoor facility to replace the current venue on the fairgrounds. The building is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and a groundbreaking is expected next week.

Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn says the arena updates are needed.

“Many events start happening before the official first day of the state fair, because we don’t have the capacity or the barn space for so many livestock exhibitions. Having the new building on the fairgrounds is going to help us meet the growing demand for livestock entries at the Missouri State Fair.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson says the $78 million that’s been invested in the fairgrounds for updates during his term has impact beyond the 10-day event.

Brownfield interviewed Moore, Chinn and Parson at the opening day of the Missouri State Fair.