The Missouri State Fair was canceled only one time in more than 100 years and that was during World War II. Gov. Mike Parson did not want it to happen again.

“As an ag governor and someone who comes from the farm, I want to say, ‘I don’t want it to be the second time on my watch that it’s canceled,’” Parson said during a June 11 press briefing. “We will have some sort of state fair.”

Livestock show traditions

Parson pointed out the core value of the Missouri State Fair is supporting youth and agriculture. Fair exhibitors took to Facebook and Twitter with #FAIRSTRONG urging the Missouri State Fair Commission, Missouri Department of Agriculture and the governor to buck trends seen in others states and keep the state fair open.

CHEERS: Charleigh Spoonster is all smiles while exhibiting her wether dam during the Missouri State Fair. Her reaction then sums up the reaction of thousands of Missouri youth livestock exhibitors today as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced the fair will go on. 

After the governor’s announcement, the Missouri State Fair reinforced its commitment to exhibitors in a press release that stated, “Our hearts broke as we watched COVID-19 cancel fairs, festivals and expositions around the world. We know the countless hours our exhibitors and fair families have put in to taking care of their livestock and 4-H and FFA projects.”

The mission of the fair, the release continued, has always been to showcase Missouri agriculture, “so our livestock shows will continue to honor that tradition.” These shows will be live events, according to the state’s agriculture department.

Changes still in works

In May, with concerns surrounding COVID-19, the Missouri State Fair Commission met to discuss the future of the fair. At that time, the nine-member commission agreed to decide on what this year’s fair will look like by mid-June. A meeting of the commission was scheduled for June 12 but was later postponed.

Still the governor weighed in on how the 2020 Missouri State Fair may look in August. He said the version of the state fair may be different and floated ideas like shorter hours and fewer days during the press conference.

Parson said the state fair is still in the planning phase, but it is “more than likely there’s not going to be concerts; there may not be a lot of vendors there.” He also said he doubts he will be asking for the annual Missouri Governor’s Ham Breakfast.

The Missouri State Fair also warned fairgoers that the fair will look differently than previous years. However, details regarding vendors, sponsors and other partners have not been solidified.

“It’s about supporting youth and agriculture,” Parson said. “So, let’s just get back to those basics. Do what we got to do, and we want to do it as safe as possible. But we plan on having the state fair.”

During the press conference, Parson also announced the state will reopen June 16.