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COLUMBIA -- A few thousand people, from across the country, rallied at the Boone County Fairgrounds Saturday to support the FairTax.

The event was oragnized by the group Americans for Fair Taxation. While the crowds fell short of original estimates, many were still happy with the turnout.

Some posed for pictures with conservative celebrities, like Joe Wurzelbachert, better known as Joe the Plumber.

The FairTax "will actually jump start the economy itself," said Wurzelbacher, who released a book and is no longer a plumber. "I mean it will create huge amounts of business, stimulate the economy and create millions of dollars at no cost to the American taxpayer."

The rally attracted a mostly conservative group, many coming from across the country. We saw a fair tax car from Michigan and found Matt Schumann, who drove from New York to attend the rally.

"All the speakers from Democrats to Libertarians, all walks of life," said Schumann. "It's wonderful to see people actually coming together like this and promoting a decent goal."

The FairTax calls for replacing state and federal income taxes with a higher sales tax. Here's how it works: The more you make, the more you spend. So, as you spend more, you'll pay more in taxes.

Critics say the sales tax would need to be raised significantly in order to generate the same amount of revenue. They also say it would increase the burden on the lower and middle classes.

Those in favor disagree.

"If we can get rid of an income based tax system it's gonna mean prosperity for the poor," said Columbia radio talk show host Gary Nolan. "It's gonna mean more prosperity for the middle class. It's gonna help our senior citizens. It's gonna drive the economy."

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Neal Boortz - one of the most well known FairTax supporters - flew in from Atlanta for the rally.

"I like the FairTax because...it's pro gowth, pro jobs, pro business, pro individual," said Boortz. "And it reduces the size and the power of the federal government."

Efforts to replace the federal tax system with a tax on spending have fallen short in Washington. In Missouri, lawmakers endorsed a proposed amendment in April that would have replaced state income tax with an expanded sales tax. It never made it out of the Senate.

But that hasn't deterred FairTax supporters who say they're going to keep fighting.

Organizers say the next Midwest FairTax Rally will be in Jefferson City next February.