A tradition that has been running for 99 years and counting will be renewed next Thursday, Sept. 3, when the Northwest Missouri State Fair kicks off for Labor Day weekend.
The late Labor Day has enabled fair volunteers to catch up on some of their preparations as the big weekend approaches. The fair board was able to finish the interior renovations at the Liberal Arts building in time for the arrival of exhibits next Wednesday afternoon.
Fair Board President Charlie Spillman said box seats for grandstand shows are sold out.
“We have a long waiting list for box seats,” Spillman said, pointing out that the seats are often passed down through families.
Boy Scout Troop 100’s food stand, which has been located under the grandstands for at least 50 years, will be getting an extensive makeover in time for the fair’s opening.
Scout adult leaders have been spending evenings installing a new roll-up window at the entrance to the food stand and installing a new floor. The food stand also will have a new hot water heater. More than $3,000 has been donated to the project including a grant from BTC Bank, according to Bob Beaty, an adult leader.
The fair’s opening will be welcomed with a parade through the downtown at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, Sept. 3. The procession will travel down Main Street and wind up at the fairgrounds.
The baby shows will get underway at 3 p.m. in the Family Pavilion, starting off with the girls and followed by the boys. Little Mr. and Mrs. will be crowned at the end of the show.
Admission will be free on the opening day when the Ranch Rodeo will be held at the horse arena, west of the grandstands.
Country singer Eric Paslay will be the main grandstand attraction at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, appearing with Madd Hoss Jackson.
Other grandstand events will be the tractor pull at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night; the antique tractor pull at 11 a.m. on Saturday; Lil’ Monster Trucks at 2 p.m. on Sunday; car races at 8 p.m. on Sunday, and the demolition derby at 12:30 p.m. and car races at 8 p.m. on Monday, Labor Day.
The fair will be celebrating its centennial in 2016.