missouri state fair

What missouri state fair does

The Missouri State Fair is an annual 11-day agricultural fair held in Sedalia, Missouri, scheduled for August 13-23 in 2026. Founded in 1901 and operated as a state government entity under the Missouri Department of Agriculture, it is one of Missouri's largest summer events, drawing 329,000+ attendees in 2025. The Fair's core offering combines general fair admission with separately ticketed attractions: grandstand concerts ($35-$100, featuring artists like Nate Smith, Little Big Town, Russell Dickerson), carnival rides, bull riding and rodeo events in the new Governor Michael L. Parson Arena (completing July 2026), truck and tractor pulls, jousting shows, exotic animal races, and a wine showcase. Agricultural programming includes livestock exhibitions (4-H and FFA), the Youth in Agriculture Scholarship program (62 scholarships awarded for 2026-2027), milking demonstrations, and the Sale of Champions auction.

The business model relies on a hybrid of consumer ticketing and a multi-tier corporate sponsorship structure (Grand Champion, Purple Ribbon, Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon, White Ribbon, Yellow Ribbon, Green Ribbon tiers) supporting at least 17 named Grand Champion partners across agriculture, education, government, financial services, and consumer brands. Revenue is also generated through vendor and concessionaire fees and reserved/FCFS camping fees on the Fairgrounds. Distribution runs through etix.com online sales, phone (1-800-514-3849), on-site box office, and advance ticket locations across Missouri. The Fair is governed by a State Fair Commission, directed by Jason Moore, and supported by a separate Missouri State Fair Foundation nonprofit. Infrastructure investments are underway, including the new indoor arena, a new Fire Station, and a recently branded Missouri State Fair cheese product.

Name

missouri state fair

Legal name

Missouri State Fair

Website

https://mostatefair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Missouri State Fair is an annual 11-day agricultural fair held in Sedalia, Missouri, drawing 329,000+ attendees with grandstand concerts, livestock exhibitions, carnival attractions, and youth scholarship programs, operated as a state government entity under the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Fair and Live Event Entertainment

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH), Amusement Parks (Regional/Local Ride Parks & Funfairs) (THAJAEAD)

Keywords

• Agricultural fair events
• Livestock exhibitions
• Live concert entertainment
• Carnival attractions
• Fairground camping

Headquarters

HQ city

Sedalia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: The Missouri State Fair generates revenue through gate admission fees for fairgoers attending the annual event in Sedalia, MO.
2. Concert and Event Tickets: Grandstand concerts and special events (bull riding, rodeo, truck/tractor pulls) are ticketed separately with tiered pricing for different seating areas. Tickets sold through etix.com and at the box office.
3. Carnival Tickets: Carnival ride and attraction tickets sold separately from general admission.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tier levels (Grand Champion, Purple Ribbon, Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon, White Ribbon, Yellow Ribbon, Green Ribbon, Friends of the Fair) provide revenue and support in exchange for brand visibility.
5. Vendor and Concessionaire Fees: Commercial vendors and concessionaires pay fees to operate at the Fair.
6. Camping Fees: Fairgrounds camping facilities generate revenue through reserved and first-come-first-served camping fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Missouri State Fair operates an annual 11-day agricultural fair held August 13-23, 2026 in Sedalia, Missouri, offering gate admission, grandstand concert tickets, carnival ride tickets, livestock exhibitions, agricultural competitions, family entertainment attractions, food and vendor concessions, fairground camping, and sponsorship opportunities. The fair combines agricultural heritage programming (livestock shows, 4-H/FFA youth events, Sale of Champions auction) with mass-market entertainment including major country music concerts, rodeo and bull riding events, jousting shows, and carnival attractions for families and individuals across Missouri and the Midwest.

Product overview

The Missouri State Fair is an annual 11-day agricultural fair held August 13-23, 2026 in Sedalia, Missouri. The fair offers a unified product portfolio centered on live entertainment, agricultural exhibitions, and family activities. Core products include fair admission, grandstand concerts featuring major country music artists (Nate Smith, Little Big Town), livestock shows and competitive exhibits, carnival attractions, and special events like the new Governor Michael L. Parson Arena. Additional offerings include educational activities at Mizzou Central and Missouri S&T, Military Appreciation Day ceremonies, children's contests at the Kids Zone, exotic animal races, rodeo events, jousting shows, and wine tasting experiences. The fair also provides sponsorship and vendor participation opportunities, along with a live webcam streaming service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fair Admission General admission tickets to the Missouri State Fair, an annual 11-day agricultural fair held August 13-23, 2026 in Sedalia, MO. Provides access to fairgrounds, agricultural exhibits, attractions, and entertainment for families and individuals.
• Grandstand Concert Tickets Ticketed grandstand concerts featuring major country music artists (Nate Smith, Little Big Town, Russell Dickerson, and others) held at the State Fair Grandstand venue during the Fair. Tickets range $35-$100 depending on artist and seating, with discounted youth pricing.
• Carnival Tickets Carnival ride and attraction tickets sold separately from general admission at the Missouri State Fair, providing access to carnival midway rides and attractions during the 11-day event.
• Fair-Time Camping Camping facilities at the Missouri State Fairgrounds offered as both reserved long-term sites and first-come, first-served sites during the annual Fair, for fairgoers and livestock exhibitors.
• Governor's Ham Breakfast Ticketed Governor's Ham Breakfast event held during the Missouri State Fair, a traditional Missouri agricultural event with food and political/community programming.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tier corporate sponsorship packages (Grand Champion, Purple Ribbon, Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon, White Ribbon, Yellow Ribbon, Green Ribbon, Friends of the Fair) sold to brands for visibility to 329,000+ annual fairgoers and access to Missouri's agricultural community and rural consumer base.
• Vendor and Concessionaire Booth Spaces Commercial booth spaces leased to food vendors, merchandise sellers, and concessionaires operating at the Missouri State Fairgrounds during the 11-day event, providing access to 329,000+ fairgoers.
• Pavilion and VIP Tent Rentals Rental of Pavilion and VIP tent spaces at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, providing premium venue accommodations for groups, sponsors, and private events during the annual Fair.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered grand champion, purple ribbon, red ribbon, blue ribbon and core.

• Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)grand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor of the Missouri State Fair. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will appear at the 2026 Fair in partnership with County Distributing and Anheuser-Busch. Budweiser logo displayed prominently on Budweiser Stage.
• GoNetspeedgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor providing live webcam streaming of the Fairgrounds throughout each day of the Fair.
• Missouri Department of Conservationgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor and daily National Anthem presenter. Conservation Day featured on August 14. Conservation Building and exhibits throughout the Fair.
• Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)grand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor of Buckle Up Phone Down initiative. MoDOT Expo Center showcases transportation safety and education with interactive displays.
• Missouri Electric Cooperativesgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Missouri Electric Cooperatives Day on August 21. Four $550 State Fair Scholarships offered. Educational exhibits in dedicated building.
• Missouri Farm Bureaugrand championStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. 66-year partnership for Missouri Farm Bureau/Farm Family Day on August 17. Farm Bureau Building exhibits.
• University of Missouri (Mizzou)grand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Mizzou Day on August 13. Mizzou Central/MO-Ag Theatre activities including cooking demos, Tiger Stripe Ice Cream, and Tiger Team Store.
• Missouri State Universitygrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor with educational activities and exhibits at the Fair.
• Missouri S&Tgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. STEM activities and engineering exhibits across multiple days including robotics, chemistry, AI, and more for youth ages 5-18.
• CFM Insurancegrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor and presenter of multiple Grandstand concerts including Nate Smith, Little Big Town, Russell Dickerson, and others.
• Sedalia Democratgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor and Senior Appreciation Day sponsor. Local media coverage and news updates.
• Ag-Powergrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Agricultural equipment and power equipment company.
• Break Timegrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Convenience store chain.
• BTC Bankgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Financial institution.
• Family Center Farm and Homegrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Free 5-gallon buckets giveaway at Fair.
• Mainline Servicesgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Service company.
• Sydenstricker Nobbe Partnersgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Agricultural equipment dealer.
• Starline Brassgrand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. Military Flag Retreat Ceremony sponsor.
• McDonald'spurple ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerPurple Ribbon sponsor. Kids Zone and Kids Stage sponsor.
• MFA Inc.purple ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerPurple Ribbon sponsor. MFA Youth Livestock Arena named sponsor. Missouri State Championship Pedal Pull sponsor.
• Superior Sleep Experiencepurple ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerPurple Ribbon sponsor. Superior Sleep Stage performances including Kevin Horner comedy/ventriloquist show.
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Missouripurple ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerPurple Ribbon sponsor. Touchstone Energy Stage hosting multiple musical performances including Marshall Municipal Band, Mulekicker Cloggers, and Missouri Fiddling Championship.
• Tractor Supply Co.red ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerRed Ribbon sponsor. Let's Talk Livestock program supporter at multiple barns.
• Midwest Dairy Associationblue ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerBlue Ribbon sponsor. Milking Demos at Gerken Dairy Center.
• Missouri Winesblue ribbonStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Ribbon sponsor. Missouri Wine 101 Classes and Missouri State Fair Winery Showcase featuring daily winery rotations.
• Tyson Foodsblue ribbonGTM or Marketing PartnerBlue Ribbon sponsor. Protein and food company.
• Missouri State Fair FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation supporting the Missouri State Fair. Logo displayed on official website. Legacy Flag Plaza honoring contributors to the Fair.
• Show Me America 250grand championGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Champion sponsor. America 250 celebration theme at the 2026 Fair marking 250 years of America.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Minnesota State Fair: One of the largest state fairs in the U.S. by attendance, held in St. Paul, MN with extensive livestock shows, Grandstand concerts, and agricultural exhibitions. Highly comparable in operational format, scale benchmarks, and Midwest demographic base.
• Wisconsin State Fair: Annual state fair held in West Allis, WI featuring agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, Grandstand entertainment, and youth programming. Directly comparable in operating structure, agricultural heritage emphasis, and Midwest geographic footprint.
• Illinois State Fair: Annual state fair in Springfield, IL featuring livestock judging, Grandstand concerts, agricultural exhibits, and carnival attractions. Comparable in structure, government operation, and Midwestern agricultural heritage orientation.
• Iowa State Fair: One of the largest state fairs in the U.S., held annually in Des Moines with comparable agricultural exhibition, livestock shows, Grandstand concerts, and 11+ day run. Iowa State Fair is the closest peer in scale, format, agricultural heritage focus, and Midwest geographic reach, with similarly iconic brand recognition.
• Indiana State Fair: Annual state fair in Indianapolis, IN with livestock competitions, concerts, 4-H/FFA programming, and agricultural heritage focus. Comparable as a Midwest state-affiliated fair with similar youth exhibitor and family attendee ecosystem.
• Ohio State Fair: Annual state fair in Columbus, OH featuring livestock shows, agricultural competitions, concerts, and youth programs. Comparable as a state-government-operated agricultural fair with similar scale, programming mix, and family-oriented target audience.
• Kansas State Fair: Annual state fair held in Hutchinson, KS featuring livestock competitions, Grandstand entertainment, carnival midway, and agricultural exhibits. Directly comparable in mission, agricultural focus, and operating model, and serves a neighboring state with similar demographic and economic profile.
• Nebraska State Fair: Annual state fair held in Grand Island, NE focused on agricultural heritage, livestock shows, and family entertainment. Directly comparable as a Midwest state government-affiliated agricultural fair with similar programming mix and target audience.
• Oklahoma State Fair: Annual state fair in Oklahoma City featuring livestock shows, Grandstand concerts, carnival, and agricultural exhibits. Comparable in state-affiliated operation, livestock competition focus, and entertainment-driven revenue model.

Regional players

• Arkansas State Fair: Annual state fair in Little Rock, AR with livestock shows, concerts, and agricultural exhibitions. Comparable in format and agricultural heritage focus but serves a different regional market than the Missouri State Fair, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MOStateFair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missouri-state-fair

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about missouri state fair