County Fairs in Missouri
Missouri's county fair tradition runs strong across the Show-Me State's 114 counties and the city of St. Louis. The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia has been the flagship since 1901, drawing visitors from across the state each August. County fairs reflect Missouri's agricultural diversity, from the grain and soybean farms of the northern prairies to the cattle ranching and timber country of the Ozarks.
Home arts divisions are a cornerstone of Missouri county fairs, with quilting, canning, and baking competitions drawing skilled entrants in both rural and suburban communities. 4-H and FFA youth programs play a central role, and the community traditions surrounding county fairs remain a defining part of summer life in outstate Missouri.
Top County Fair Events in Missouri
- Missouri State Fair — Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia; 11 days in August; livestock, home arts, craft vendors, carnival rides, and grandstand entertainment
- Boone County Fair — Columbia; late July; serving the mid-Missouri agricultural community with 4-H livestock shows and home arts
- Ozark Empire Fair — Springfield; late July through early August; southwestern Missouri's largest fair with livestock, home arts, and entertainment
- Platte County Fair — Tracy; mid-July; Kansas City-area agricultural traditions with livestock and community events
- Cape Girardeau County Fair — Jackson; late July; southeast Missouri agricultural heritage with livestock shows and home arts competitions
What to Expect
Missouri county fairs run primarily from late June through August, with the Missouri State Fair anchoring the season in mid-August. Livestock shows feature beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and poultry. 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors are prominent at nearly every fair. Home arts buildings display quilts, canned goods, baked items, and handmade crafts, all judged with ribbon awards.
Most Missouri county fairs offer affordable admission, with many smaller fairs providing free gate entry. Carnival midways, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, and live country music are standard fare. The Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield and the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia are the largest events, but smaller county fairs across outstate Missouri maintain strong community attendance.
Popular Cities for County Fairs
- St. Louis — Surrounding counties like St. Charles and Jefferson host traditional fairs, and the metro area is within reach of the State Fair in Sedalia
- Kansas City — Platte, Clay, and Jackson county fairs serve the metro area with livestock and 4-H exhibits
- Springfield — The Ozark Empire Fair is southwestern Missouri's premier fair with livestock, crafts, and entertainment
- Columbia — Boone County Fair celebrates mid-Missouri's agricultural community near the University of Missouri
See all craft events in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Missouri State Fair?
The Missouri State Fair runs for 11 days in August at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. It features livestock competitions, home arts exhibitions, craft vendors, a carnival midway, and grandstand concerts. Sedalia is located in central Missouri, roughly equidistant from Kansas City and St. Louis.
How many county fairs does Missouri have?
Missouri has 114 counties plus the city of St. Louis, and many host annual county fairs during the summer months. The Missouri Association of Fairs coordinates the network of events. Not every county holds a fair each year, but the state has one of the densest fair circuits in the Midwest.
Do Missouri county fairs have quilting and canning competitions?
Yes. Home arts divisions at Missouri county fairs include competitive categories for quilting, canning, baking, needlework, and other handmade crafts. The Missouri State Fair has extensive home arts competitions, and smaller county fairs maintain strong quilting and canning traditions, particularly in rural communities across the Ozarks and northern prairies.