(SEDALIA, MO) – Today, Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore announced that 333,489 people attended the 2026 Missouri State Fair, held last month in Sedalia, with the theme “Show-Me Stars & Stripes.”
“The 2026 Missouri State Fair was a tremendous celebration of agriculture and of America,” said Director Moore. “Throughout the 11 days of the Fair, visitors saw some of the best of Missouri agriculture and American pride on full display. A defining highlight was opening the Governor Michael L. Parson Arena, welcoming new and fan-favorite events back to the Fairgrounds.”
Former Governor Parson and Mrs. Theresa Parson were in attendance Opening Day to cut the ribbon on the new structure, a climate-controlled, multipurpose arena to host livestock and other events throughout the entire year. The inaugural Parson Arena event was a three-day rodeo, followed by fan-favorite zebra, camel and ostrich races and jousting. A two-night bull ride competition closed out the Fair in the new arena.
Other Fair highlights included:
- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe swore in 41 recruits to the Missouri National Guard during a ceremony to celebrate Military Appreciation Day.
- A ribbon cutting for the new Missouri State Fair Firehouse.
- Renovations, including the addition of air conditioning, to the historic 4-H Building.
- The Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions and Best of Missouri Sale raised more than $385,000 for youth in agriculture.
- More than 29,000 entries in livestock and competitive exhibits were showcased with several departments showing substantial increases including sheep, boer goats, draft ponies and poultry. Missouri 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors totaled more than 3,000.
- The State Fair celebrated America 250 with patriotic decorations, contests, entertainment, a fireworks and drone show, and more.
Make plans to attend the 2027 Missouri State Fair Aug. 12-22, 2027, in Sedalia.
For more information about the Missouri State Fair, visit the Fair at MoStateFair.com.