(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced today the theme for the 2015 Missouri State Fair will be "Show Offs Welcome."

“I believe the 2015 theme fits with our state's ‘show-me’ motto," Wolfe said. "The Missouri State Fair is the premier agriculture showcase in the state. The young men and women who participate in the Fair have devoted many hours to raising or growing their best. They’ve put in the work, and exhibiting at the State Fair is their chance to show off that work.”

Wolfe also said the attendance at the 2014 Fair, 361,496, helped to generate positive revenue earnings in several areas including the grandstand, carnival and campgrounds. The number of livestock entries increased, which also contributed to an overall positive experience.

"There was much to be celebrated at the 2014 State Fair,” he said. “The significant number of people who attended the first few days, combined with the sold-out Florida Georgia Line concert mid-week, made for an outstanding Fair.”

Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce announced that participation in livestock shows and competitive exhibits was also up this year.

"The 2014 Missouri State Fair was an outstanding showcase of Missouri agriculture, with nearly every county in Missouri represented, including 4,300 Missouri 4-H and FFA youth," Fordyce said. "Entries totaled nearly 31,000, a three percent increase over last year. Categories tracking upwards included goat, FFA, rabbit, agriculture and home economics."

Great weather, special events, diverse attractions and fantastic Fair food helped make this year successful. Special celebrations and commemorative activities held on Opening Day, Military Appreciation Day, Governor’s, Legislators’ and Judges’ Day and Youth in Agriculture (YIA) Day attracted diverse crowds.

More than 100 Boys and Girls Club youth attended the Fair on Opening Day, participating in the Opening Day Ceremony in front of the Family Fun Center, and then enjoyed a busy day of entertainment on the fairgrounds.  The Opening Day Parade included more than 100 units in a procession along Missouri State Fair Boulevard.

This year’s Military Appreciation Day was again well attended, with more than 33,000 people on the fairgrounds, including military service men and women and their families. Wolfe said he is extremely proud that the State Fair continues to honor Missourians involved in our military.

The Fair also honored women involved in Missouri agriculture with free gate admission on Governor’s, Legislators’ and Judges’ Day; helping set another record-high attendance of more than 31,000.

A new promotion was offered on the final Saturday of the Fair-- Celebrate Kids in Agriculture - YIA Day. The day included free gate admission for kids 12 and younger, and the special contests and activities available created a memorable experience for families. Attendance exceeded 39,000 on Saturday, which resulted in a nice boon in ticket sales at the gate and on the carnival midway.

The 113th Missouri State Fair will be held Aug. 13-23 in Sedalia. For more information about the 2015 State Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

(Courtesy of Missouri State Fair Public Relations)

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