The State Fair’s 16th Street Gate Is Being Restored for Missouri’s Bicentennial

As I drove on 16th Street over to the radio stations yesterday morning I noticed they were out working on the Missouri State Fair's iconic main gate.

I wondered what they were doing. Today I found out. They're restoring the main gate in honor of the State's Bicentennial.

“The Historic Main Gate on 16^th Street is an icon for the fairgrounds,” said Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair Director, in a news release. “It is the first impression many fairgoers have when they enter the grounds."

The restoration of the iconic entry point for generations of fairgoers is being funded by the Missouri Bicentennial Commission. The project includes water blasting, priming, and restoration of the previously defined contours of the structure, Additionally, the upper steel structure and three booths will be repainted, vinyl signage will be added, and new fixtures will be put on the existing light poles.

“Missouri commemorated the 100^th year of statehood at the 1921 Missouri Centennial Exposition and State Fair,” said Beth Pike, Missouri Bicentennial Coordinator with the State Historical Society of Missouri. “One hundred years later, Missouri has reached another milestone of 200 years of statehood. The Missouri Bicentennial Commission recognizes the ties that bind – and welcome - all Missourians to the Missouri State Fair each year. Missouri 2021 honors the legacy of the State Fair with the restoration of the Historic Main Gate, which will continue to welcome fairgoers far into the future.”

Sedalia's own W & M Welding is handling the restoration project and the restoration is scheduled for completion next spring if the weather cooperates. The Missouri State Fair says they will show the progress of the restoration on the Missouri State Fair Facebook page.