Tuesday, Governor Nixon was in Sedalia to announce some of the musicians and events that will be a part of the 2011 Missouri State Fair. He was joined by First Lady Georganne Nixon, Dr. Jon Hagler of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Mark Wolfe, the director of the Missouri State Fair. Members of the Missouri State Fair Commission also attented the announcement.
The Pepsi Grandstand is one the favorite attractions every year at the fair, bringing in some of hte most well-known groups from around the state to perform live music for fair-goers.
This year, some past favorites as well as Missouri State Fair newcomers will take to the stage.
On August 11, opening day, Jerrod Niemann and Dexter, MO native Candy Coburn will kick things off with the opening day concert.
The following day, southern rock favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Doobie Brothers will take to the stage.
That Saturday, the grandstand will feature Jason Aldean who will be joined by Chris Young and Thompson Square. On Sunday country legends such as Leroy Van Dyke, T. Graham Brown, Moe Bandy, and Helen Cornelious will all perform as part of the Country Gold Tour.
Monday, August 15 will feature the Championship Tractor Pulls in an all-day event, and the following evening a monster truck show will take place.
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage will perform Wednesday, the 17th, along with Daily and Vincent and The Next Best Thing Band.
Several events will also be returning to the fair. Military Appreciation Day will take place on August 14th. That event features free admission for all active military, veterans, and delayed entry recruits. It also gives a $1 admisison charge for their family members.
Also returning in 2011, the First Lady's Pie Contest, which last year featured 25 amateur entries from around the state, and the Governor's Ham Breakfast, which raises scholarship money for college-bound youth exhibitors. Both of those events will take place on Thursday, August 18th.
A crowd favorite, the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association's Missouri Finals will be run from August 11th through the 13th in the Missouri State Fair Arena.
More acts, special events and promotions are expected to be announced at a later date. The fair will run from August 11th through the 21st in Sedalia. For more information and updates click here.
Governor Nixon also announced an event for July of 2012 that will bring 10,000 people to Sedalia prior to that year's fair.
The Missouri State Fairgrounds will host the 40th annual BMW Motorcycle-Owners of America Rally. Governor Nixon says riders and enthusiasts from around the country will all be heading to Missouri for the event and it will have a significant impact on the economy of Sedalia and the rest of the state. Missouri was selected from numerous candidates after completing a multi-year application process.
What do you think about the entertainment lineup and 2012 motorcycle rally? Leave a comment below.