Mo. state fair boasts big lineup

Summer is traditionally packed with fairs and festivals. But next month, Sedalia, Mo., will play host to one of the biggest in the Show Me State.

August brings with it the 110th year for the Missouri State Fair. According to director Mark Wolfe, the fair will reflect upon the its rich history and role in the Missouri's agriculture and entertainment industries through the years with the theme "Celebrate Then and Wow."

"Many activities are being planned that will pay tribute to Missouri State Fair milestones, as well as achievements being celebrated by Missourians across our great state," Wolfe said. "We really want this year's event to bring out the pride in Missouri."

Opening-day ceremonies include special recognition of the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Firefighters' 50 years of service to the fair. Other organizations being honored on the fairgrounds during the 11-day event are the National 4-H for their 100th anniversary, the Missouri Department of Conservation for its 75 years and John Deere's 175 years in business. A 48-foot-long wall of photographs and memorabilia called "Saluting Decades of Tradition" will help provide fairgoers with an opportunity to reflect upon the fair's long history.

The wow factor of the fair, Wolfe said, is this year's entertainment lineup, which offers plenty of well-known performers and a mix consisting mostly of country and classic rock artists. Headliners include Montgomery Gentry on Aug. 11 and Hank Williams Jr. on Aug. 18. Both shows will feature classic rock bands as openers.

"I'm really happy with what we have in store on our stages," Wolfe said. "We are lucky enough to have some big names with huge talent coming in. You couldn't ask for much more."

Country music duo Montgomery Gentry is known for hit singles "Where I Come From" and "Good Ol' Boys." Opening for the group is 38 Special, a Southern rock band with more than 30 years of experience and classic rock hits "Hold On Loosely" and "Rockin' Into the Night."

Country music legend Hank Williams Jr.'s "Taking Back the Country" tour comes to the fair on its final Saturday. Williams, who has 20 gold albums, six platinum albums and 10 No. 1 singles, will perform hits, such as "A Country Boy Can Survive," "Dixie on My Mind" and "All My Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight." Opening for Williams will be rock and blues big name George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Thorogood also has a successful recording history, with songs including "Get a Haircut" and classic rock anthem "Bad to the Bone."

Hits also belong to each of the performers in the Country Gold Tour, performing Aug. 15 on the Pepsi Grandstand stage. Sharing the stage will be Leroy Van Dyke and the Auctioneers, Rex Allen Jr., Leona Williams, Bobby Bare and Lynn Anderson.

Aug. 14 will feature Paul Revere and the Raiders, which appeared in 520 episodes of the Dick Clark produced ABC show "Where the Action Is" from 1965 to 1966, will play early rock standards including "This Diamond Ring," "Indian Reservation" and "Everybody Loves A Clown." Paul Revere and the Raiders was the first rock group to be signed with Columbia Records, thanks to the 1963 hit "Louie Louie."

The main stage will also host a few up-and-coming country artists. Randy Rogers Band and The Dirt Drifters will play Aug. 9, Justin Moore and Josh Thompson take the stage Aug. 10, and Jake Owen and Colt Ford perform Aug. 16.

Along with the music, the fair offers a little comedy. Larry the Cable Guy, comedian and star of the reality television show "Only in America," will be performing Aug. 17. Larry the Cable Guy is perhaps best known for his slogan, "Get 'er done." His rise to fame started in early 2000, thanks to the Blue Collar Comedy troupe, which featured himself and "good ole boy" comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Ron White.

Fair dates are Aug. 9 through the 19 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Mo. For more event and ticket information, call 1-800-422-3247 or visit mostatefair.com.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, MO