Missouri State Fair Wins Big in Vegas

( SEDALIA, Mo.) – The Missouri State Fair received several awards of excellence from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) convention held recently in Las Vegas, and was a recipient of a motorized Segway given in a drawing.

The fair shared in one agricultural award with the radio station KMZU in Carrollton for outstanding media commitment. Farm Director Janet Adkison accepted the plaque at the December 17 monthly commission meeting held at the fair’s administrative offices in Sedalia.

According to Commission Chairman Elizabeth Schlueter the fair has many outstanding media partners, and among them is KMZU also known as The Farm. The station can be found in front of the Pepsi Grandstand during the 11 day fair in August reporting live as events progress.

The fair received another first place award for competitive photo series along with many other honors in numerous categories.

“The awards are to help recognize fairs that are doing an exceptional job in the area of agriculture,” Schlueter said. “At the IAFE convention fairs share ideas to help improve the industry.”

The Missouri State Fair is dedicated to providing a fair that is enjoyed by a diverse population, and to presenting agriculture in a meaningful way to all fairgoers.”

Sgt. Ahern from the Missouri State Highway Patrol was also present at the December commission meeting to assemble the newly acquired Segway donated by Schlueter for use during the fair.

Ahern said that officers use similar Segways during the fair to navigate through the crowd, and to be more accessible to the public. Ahern is a trainer on the battery powered vehicle and was very pleased to learn that another would be available to the patrol for use in 2008 and for future fairs.

The Missouri State Fair will present its 106^th fair August 7 to 17. The 2008 website www.mostatefair.com will be launched in January that will provide details on all aspects of the fair experience.