Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced that former Sen. James L. Mathewson, of Sedalia, has been appointed to serve on the Missouri State Fair Commission. Mathewson was nominated by Gov. Jay Nixon and confirmed by the Missouri Senate. His term will be in effect until December 29, 2019.

Mathewson served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981 and in the Missouri State Senate from 1981 to 2005, when he became term-limited. He was the Majority Floor Leader from 1985 to 1988 and served several terms as president pro-tem from 1989 to 1996.

“Sen. Mathewson’s commitment to the Fair is undeniable,” Wolfe said. “During his tenure in the Senate, he was instrumental in the establishment of the State Fair Commission and the building of our Exhibition Center, which bears his name.”

The Missouri State Fair Commission was established by the Missouri Legislature effective September 1, 1995 through Missouri Revised Statutes (Chapter 262, Section 26.217).

The purpose of the Commission is to oversee the operation of the Missouri State Fair. It is responsible for the selection and supervision of the Fair director, and it has authority to lease or purchase land and accept or reject contracts. The Commission contains nine members, one of which is the Director of Missouri Agriculture.

The 114th Missouri State Fair, themed “See What Crops Up” will be held Aug. 11-21 in Sedalia. For more information about the year's fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Missouri State Fair on Facebook and Twitter or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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