Entries for all Missouri State Fair livestock shows and competitive exhibits will open May 1 at 9 a.m. Complete rules and regulations for all shows and contests are available in the online Premium Guide.
All entrants must register at MissouriBuys, powered by MOVERS website to receive premium payment(s). Premium checks will be issued after Aug. 23, 2026, and must be claimed prior to Dec. 31, 2026.
Important competition updates include:
Poultry – Addition of the 4-H & FFA Market Turkey Show.
Boer Goats – Percentage Buck classes have been added for open, 4-H & FFA divisions.
Carcass – Market heifers will now be accepted in the beef carcass shows.
Poultry, Rabbit, Floriculture, and Dorm entry fee increases.
Show-Me Stars & Stripes/America 250
- Livestock: Stall & pen decorating contests for all livestock species.
- Dairy Cattle: Red, White, and MOO! Fun Contest
- Horticulture: Patriotic Presidential Spuddy Buddy Contest
- Home Economics: Threads of Freedom, Americana Treasures, Deviled Egg Derby, Sewn in the USA
Learn about other competition updates on the Competition Updates page.
Important rule updates include:
Vendor Payment Registration – Vendor payment registration with the State of Missouri is required for individuals to be able to receive prize money from the Missouri State Fair. Exhibitors must register at MissouriBuys, powered by MOVERS website. Vendor Input Forms will no longer be accepted.
Entry Deadline – The livestock entry deadline is July 13 at 5 pm. No late entries will be accepted. All shows and competitions have entry deadlines listed within the rules of each department on the online Premium Guide. They are also included on the Fair’s Entry Deadline page.
Animal Health – Updated rules and regulations provided by the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Department. Animal health rules require cattle and swine exhibitors to provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), completed by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of the show. Cattle and swine must also be identified with an official form of identification. Swine will require a NUES tag and cattle will require an AID/RFID tag.
Exhibitor Admission – Exhibitors age 12 and under will again be admitted free to the 11-day Fair and will receive a wristband, sponsored by MFA, Inc. Exhibitors age 13 and older will be able to purchase up to 40 single-day exhibitor admission tickets at a special price of $8. New for 2026, exhibitors may also purchase a season pass exhibitor wristband, sponsored by Bomgaars, for $88. One wristband provides admission for all 11-days of the Fair. Discounted exhibitor tickets and season pass exhibitor wristbands are available at time of entry and from the Fair’s Business Office through Aug. 12. These tickets and wristbands will not be available at the gate and do not include exhibitor parking.
The 2026 Missouri State Fair, themed “Show-Me Stars & Stripes” is Aug. 13-23, in Sedalia.