Hard work pays off: Missouri State fair puts our best on display

Missouri has much to celebrate, and a good deal of it goes on display today with the opening of the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

What’s a state fair? Rides and shows, for sure. Tons of food, much of which your doctor might not approve of. Freebies, from recipes and coloring books to hand-held fans that tend to come in handy.

But the heart of the fair is the kid who has spent all year, or longer, raising a hog or a cow to show and then hoping for a blue ribbon. It’s the canner who brings her best pickles or the artist who brings his best landscape.

Yes, the fair has celebrations of industry and commerce, much of which is cheesily on sale in what might as well be called the “as seen on TV” building. Universities and churches, co-ops and businesses set up their displays to keep their public profiles high. (The smart ones do so in the handful of air-conditioned buildings.)

But the fair has deeply agricultural roots, and the spirit of the thing lies in individuals and families doing the work of the farm and ranch: raising plants and animals, tending to them day after day, rain or sun, heat or cold. For the price of admission and enduring the August heat for a few hours, we get to see some of the best of it.

The fair runs 11 days

When: The fair runs today through Aug. 17.

Where: The State Fairgrounds are in Sedalia. Take U.S. 50 east to Sedalia. Turn right (south) at U.S. 65 and go a few blocks to the entrance of the fairgrounds on your right.

How much: Parking is free. Admission is $8; free for kids 12 and under. But there are specials almost every day.

Go to www.mostatefair.com