The Missouri State Fair is one of the largest and most popular state fairs in the country, attracting more than 345,000 visitors in 2024. With a wide array of activities, there's something for everyone. Guests can enjoy live music performances, auto races, and monster truck pulls, while a large portion of the fairgrounds showcase agricultural and livestock exhibits. The carnival rides provide plenty of excitement for those seeking thrills, and the air is filled with the tempting aromas of delicious Southern cuisine. There's never a dull moment at the Missouri State Fair, making it a must-visit event.
The Missouri State Fair offers plenty of classic carnival fare, from hot dogs and hamburgers to crispy French fries. However, savvy RVers know to seek out vendors serving Southern favorites like gumbo, pulled pork, and fried chicken.
After a great meal, you can enjoy live country music, watch monster trucks battle it out, or marvel at the skills of rodeo riders. If you're feeling adventurous, test your balance on a mechanical bull or enter one of the many contests, such as horseshoe tossing or line dancing.
The fair also features a variety of carnival rides and attractions, ensuring fun for all ages. Kids and animal lovers will especially enjoy the petting zoo, and everyone can learn something new at the agricultural exhibits.
The Missouri State Fair provides essential amenities to keep visitors comfortable and safe. EMTs and security personnel are stationed throughout the fairgrounds, with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers available if needed.
ATMs and restrooms are easy to find, and families will appreciate the baby changing stations and designated nursing areas. Additionally, you can relax in the air-conditioned Family Fun Center to take a break from the summer heat.
Missouri State Fairgrounds 2503 W. 16th Street Sedalia, MO 65301 The Missouri State Fairgrounds are located close to U.S. Route 65 and U.S. Route 50 in Sedalia. The closest major airport is about 55 miles away in Columbia. Sedalia is a thriving city that is steeped in history, and it serves as the manufacturing and retail hubs for five counties.
The 2025 lineup for the Missouri State Fair will be announced soon. For the latest updates, visit their Live Music page.
The Missouri State Fair is a major RVing event. The 60-acre campground has 1,100 spaces, but 730 are reserved sites for RVers who attend the fair annually. To add your name to the waiting list, you will need to send an email to [email protected]. Reserve customers must pay for the entirety of the fair (11 days). The reservation starts the day before the fair's opening and costs $495.
The remaining campsites are offered to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to snag one of these sites, it would be a good idea to show up at 7 a.m. when the line forms. When you reach the campground entrance, you will be asked to pay $45 for each night you plan to stay. You can pay with cash or a credit card and will receive a camping permit to display on your windshield. You can exit and re-enter the campground, but don't forget your decal.
Approximately 95 short-term campsites have water and 50-amp electric hookups, but they are snapped up quickly. The rest of the sites are dry. There are three dump stations available and shower and restroom facilities that RVers can use.
You can use a golf cart in the campgrounds if you pay a $100 fee, but ATVs and electric bicycles are prohibited. Generators are permitted. However, quiet hours are enforced between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
If you are not taking an RV to the Missouri State Fair or you arrive too late to get a campsite, there are several affordable hotels within walking distance of the fairgrounds. The closest is the American Inn. This hotel has comfortable rooms and on-site laundry facilities and offers weekly rates. The Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, and Holiday Inn Express are a little further away, but you can still walk to the fairgrounds in about 20 minutes.
Most visitors take U.S. Route 65 to reach the Missouri State Fair. Turn onto West 16th Street from U.S. Route 65 and follow it through four traffic lights until you reach the fairgrounds. For those flying in, the closest major airport is Kansas City International Airport (MCI), about 100 miles northwest. From there, take I-70 east to U.S. Route 65 South, which leads directly to W. 16th Street and the fair entrance.
Parking at the Missouri State Fair is free, though you can purchase a VIP parking pass for $5 for a spot closer to the entrance. However, many RVers park further away to avoid the hassle of navigating the crowd and take the free tram to the entrance.
General admission rates for the 2025 Missouri State Fair have not been released. However, you can expect them to be similar to the 2024 prices: adult tickets were $15, seniors paid $10, and tickets for children ages 6 to 12 were $4.
A visit to the Missouri State Fair is an excellent outing for the whole family, and arriving in an RV means you won't have to stay in a cramped hotel room. If you're new to RVing, you can rent an RV in Missouri for your vacation. After you've enjoyed everything the fair has to offer, consider taking your rental to nearby attractions. For instance, Ozark National Scenic Riverways is less than three hours away and offers RV camping, hiking, canoeing, and beautiful river views. You can learn more about the Missouri State Fair and connect with the event organizers on Facebook and YouTube.
Please note, this is not the official source of the event information. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible, some details may have changed since the time this article was written. Please confirm final details with the official event page .
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