The annual Missouri State Fair is back, beginning Aug. 10 and continuing until Aug. 20 in Sedalia. 

The fair’s theme this year is “Where Tradition Grows.”

Fair-goers will enjoy live music, truck/tractor pulls, rodeos, bull riding, demonstrations, carnival rides and more. 

Price of admission will vary depending on age:

• Single Day Adult: $15
• Seniors (age 60 and over): $10
• Youth (ages 6-12): $4
• Kids (age 5 & under): Free

Tickets for adults can be bought at a discounted price of $12 until Aug. 9 at the MSF Box Office,

Break Time Convenience Stores, and Bomgaars.

The price of unlimited carnival ride wristbands, good for one day, will be reduced to $25 when bought online prior to Aug. 9. When bought at the fair, prices will be:

• $35 weekday (Monday-Thursday)
• $40 weekend (Friday – Sunday)
• $25 (Thrifty Thursday) Aug. 17
• $20 (half price) final Sunday

Carnival ride tickets also may be bought instead of wristbands: 5 tickets for $6, 30 tickets for $30, and 55 tickets for $50. 

The carnival will be open by noon Monday through Friday and close around 11 p.m. On the weekend, the carnival will open by 11 a.m. and close at approximately midnight. 

In addition to carnival rides, the fair will host live concerts and shows at the State Fair Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought here. A full schedule of the grandstand is listed below:

• Aug. 10: Tyler Hubbard with Parmalee at 7:30 p.m.
  • $45 grandstand /$50 track
• Aug. 11: Lainey Wilson with Jackson Dean at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sold Out
• Aug. 12: 3 Doors Down – Away from the Sun Anniversary Tour with Candlebox at 7:30 p.m.
  • $35 grandstand /$45 track
• Aug. 13: Missouri State Fair Shoot Out Truck & Tractor Pulls at 12 p.m. & 6 p.m. 
  • $15 ages 6-12 /$35 adult/ free 5 and under (must sit on adult’s lap)
• Aug. 14: Pro Pulling League at 6 p.m. 
  • $15 ages 6-12 /$35 adult/ free 5 & under (must sit on adult’s lap)
• Aug. 15: Outlaw Nationals Monster Truck Show at 7 p.m. 
  • $15 ages 6-12 /$35 adult/ free 5 & under (must sit on adult’s lap)
• Aug. 16: Cory Asbury and CAIN at 7:30 p.m.
  • $25 grandstand/ $35 track
• Aug. 17: The Country Comeback Tour with Shenandoah, Billy Dean and Wade Hayes at 7:30 p.m.
  • $20 grandstand/ $30 track
• Aug. 18: Nelly with Rahzel at 7:30 p.m.
  • $40 grandstand/ $50 track 
• Aug. 19: Riley Green with Randy Houser at 7:30 p.m.
  • $45 grandstand/ $50 track
• Aug. 20: 2023 Powri 410 Sprint Cars, B Modifieds & Super Stocks, Show Me Vintage Race Cars at 6 p.m. (Hot Laps) and 7 p.m. (Heat Races) 
  • $20 Adult/ $18 Military and Seniors (65+) / $10 Students (13-17) / $5 Youth (6-12)/ Free ages 5 & under (must sit on adult’s lap)

The Missouri State Fair also hosts events at the State Fair Arena. Children 5 and under are free for all events at the State Fair Arena, but must sit on an adult’s lap. Tickets are available for purchase here. The full schedule is listed below:

• Aug. 10-12: MRCA Show-Me State Rodeo at 7:00 p.m.
  • $12 Adult/ $6 Youth (6-12)
• Aug. 13: Motocross, Final CHa.m.pionship Round of the MO State Fair Cross Series at 7:00 p.m.
  • $7 Adult/Youth
• Aug. 14: ATV/Dirt Bike Rodeo at 7:00 p.m.
  • $7 Adult/Youth
• Aug. 15: MSF Truck & Farm Tractor Pull at 12:00 p.m.
  • $10 Adult/Youth
• Aug. 16: Antique Classic Tractor Pull at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Free
• Aug. 17: Garden Tractor and Mini Rod and Truck Pull at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Free
• Aug. 18-19: Bull Riding Competition at 8:00 p.m.
  • $12 Adult/ $6 Youth
• Aug. 20: Demolition Derby at 2:00 p.m.
  • $20 Adult/ $10 Youth

Another famous feature of the Missouri State Fair is the livestock shows, where everything from miniature donkeys to rabbits compete. To see the complete listing of judged events see the Judging Schedule here. 

There are several daily admission specials taking place during the fair. A complete list can be found here, but the best deals are listed below: 

• Aug. 10: Family Value Opening Day
  • $7 gate admission all day 13+; $2 youth age 6-12
• Aug. 12: Law Enforcement/Firefighter Appreciation Day
  • Free gate admission for law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics with I.D. $1 gate admission for immediate family members. 
• Aug. 13: Military Appreciation Day
  • Free gate admission for active military, veterans and delayed entry recruits with I.D. $1 admission for immediate family members.
• Aug. 15: Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive $2 Tuesday to benefit Feeding Missouri
  • Give a minimum $2 donation to Feeding Missouri or donate a minimum of 2 non-perishable food items at the tent outside the Centennial ticket booth to receive a coupon redeemable for $2 admission at the ticket booth.
  • Most carnival rides $2 all day
  • $2 specials at select concessions and vendors
• Aug. 20: Family Preparedness Half Price Day
  • $7 gate admission all day 13+; $2 youth age 6-12

From Aug. 13-17, adult admission is just $5 after 5 p.m.

Many of the entertainment options are free with fair admissions. Families are able to enjoy the jungle gym at the Kids Zone, watch performances by the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, view the 2023 butter sculpture, cheer on Hedrick’s Racing Pigs, and so much more. A complete list of attractions can be seen here. 

Those interested in the daily schedules can view them here. For more information, view answers to frequently asked questions at this link.