The Missouri State Fair is an annual celebration with animals, education, fun activities for all ages and of course, food! Taking place in Sedalia, a little over an hour from Kansas City, the fair is a great day trip.
Check out this guide for all you need to know for a successful day at the Missouri State Fair.
Tickets for the Missouri State Fair, which runs through August 18, can be purchased at the entrance gates. General parking is free and very walkable to the main entrances. Carnival tickets are purchased separately at the entrance to that area of the fairgrounds.
Admission Tickets
- Single Day Adult: $15
- Seniors (age 60+): $10
- Youth (ages 6-12): $4
- Kids (age 5 & under): FREE
Check the gate admission specials for discounts.
Carnival Tickets
Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristband
- $35 weekday (M-F)
- $45 weekend (Sat-Sun)
- $25 Fair Finale Sunday
Family Packs
- 5 tickets for $7
- 30 tickets for $35
- 55 tickets for $50 (includes a value book, provided by Wade Shows, good for concession/game incentives/coupons – $30-$40 value).
Mom Tip: Carnival rides start at three tickets per ride. Games are all cash only so prepare your kids for that when they see all those massive stuffed animals!
Hours
Gates are open daily August 8-18, 2024.
7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Exhibit Buildings Hours
Aug 8-10: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Aug 11-15: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Aug 16-17: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Aug 18: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Carnival Midway Hours
- Monday-Friday, noon to 11 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight
*Both opening and closing times are at the Carnival company’s discretion and depending on weather, crowds or extenuating circumstances.
Location
2503 W. 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301
Located at the intersection of Highway 65 and 16th Street
Entrances
- Centennial Gate entrance – Highway 65
- Main Gate entrance – 16th Street
- Gate 11 entrance – Highway 65
- Gate 6 entrance – Clarendon Road
Parking
- Single Day General Public Parking: Free
- VIP Public Parking: $5 per day (Donations to Missouri State Fair Foundation
See the Missouri State Fair Map for additional parking details.
August can be hot in Missouri so finding air conditioning for little ones (and their parents) can be key! Luckily, there are plenty of areas to cool of with activities, grab an ice cream cone and feed and change a baby.
Baby Feeding and Changing Area
The Family Fun Center is a great place for families with babies and small children to beat the heat for a while and relax in an air-conditioned environment. The 450-square-foot facility offers a baby changing and feeding area, complete with a wash basin and baby changing station.
Stroller Rental
Strollers and wagons will be available for rental at the Fair.
Rental Fees
- Single Strollers: All Day – $10
- Double Strollers: All Day – $15
- Wagons: All Day – $12
Mom Tip: Most of the grounds are dirt/grass so an all-terrain stroller or wagon is the best choice!
You can’t separate the Missouri State Fair from food and drink. Whether you’re looking to try deep fried Oreos, delicious ice cream or a traditional corn dog, the fair has it all!
Gerken Dairy Center
Check out the Gerken Dairy Center for the best fair lunch! Choose from different varieties of grilled cheese including ham and cheese, pizza grilled cheese, bacon and mac or a traditional grilled cheese with your choice of cheese. Add a milk for just $1.
Don’t miss the Flavor of the Fair, which is chosen by Governor Mike Parson every year! This year’s flavor is Kingdom Crunchdown, which features layers of vanilla soft serve ice cream, strawberries and crunchy milk chocolate candy, topped with chocolate syrup and gold sprinkles. It’s a touchdown for your tastebuds!
Kids can also grab a cow headband, coloring books and bookmarks all featuring fun facts about the benefits of dairy!
Mom Tip: Don’t miss the butter cow sculpture. This year’s theme is “Lost in a Dairy Tale.”
The building, located at the Northeast corner of the fairgrounds between the cattle barns and Coliseum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Traditional Fair Food
You’ll find all your favorite fair foods like corn dogs, fried everything on a stick, chicken fingers, popcorn, cheese curds and more at food stands all throughout the streets.
Bring Your Own Food Policies
Coolers
Fair patrons are welcome to bring their own coolers to the Fair, provided they do not contain alcoholic beverages. Coolers are subject to search at the admission gate.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available in parking areas, the Kids Zone located behind the MEC Building and in the Highway Gardens.
Hedrick’s Educational Petting Zoo
Stop by this petting zoo to see a giant tortoise, zebra, emu, baby pigs, goats, llamas and more. You can purchase a cup of food – $1 for a mini cup, $5 for a large cup. Walking through the zoo is free, though.
Clydesdales
The Budweiser Clydesdales will be stalled just east of the Mathewson Exhibition Center and the eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon various times during the Missouri State Fair.
Livestock Barns
Walk through the barns with the animals competing in the fair. You can see how the owners take care of their animals to prepare them for judging and even see a show in the Coliseum. Milking demonstrations are offered in the Dairy Barn several times per day.
Missouri S&T Exhibits
Our family’s favorite area was the Missouri University – Stem and Technology area, which featured robotics, a nuclear reactor example using ping pong balls and mouse traps, coding games and lawn games. The staff were engaged with the kids and taught STEM concepts in a fun way – we had to pull them away!
Mom Tip: If you’re not traveling with a stroller, bring a bag or something to collect your swag. Many booths have prize wheels, giveaways and other swag you’ll have to hold on to throughout the day.
The Missouri State Fair is committed to providing a good experience for all fair goers. Read on for accessibility and safety information.
Sensory Friendly Carnival Time
The Center for Human Services is sponsoring Sensory-Friendly Time on the Carnival Midway, from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Music and lights will be turned off on rides and microphone speakers for games will be at a lower volume. T
Those needing assistance may be required to have a parent or guardian sign an assumption of risk. Fairgoers are encouraged to observe each ride in operation at least one full cycle before riding to be sure they can ride safely and comfortably. All fairgoers are welcome on the carnival midway during sensory friendly time.
Stroller Rental
Strollers and wagons will be available for rental at the Fair.
Rental Fees
- Single Strollers: All Day – $10
- Double Strollers: All Day – $15
- Wagons: All Day – $12
Wheelchair Rental
Electric scooters and wheelchairs will be available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the Fair.
Rental Fees
Electric Mobility Carts:
- 4 Hours – $30
- 8 Hours – $45
- All Day – $55
Wheelchairs:
- All Day – $15
First Aid
Treatment and supplies are available at the First Aid Station, located on the west side of the Firehouse (east of the Highway Gardens).
Handicapped Accessibility
The Missouri State Fair is committed to providing equal access and a pleasant experience to all guests. Please see the Disability Assistance page for more information.
Lost & Found
If you’ve lost something during your visit to the Fair, please visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol office.
The Missouri State Fair is committed to providing a good experience for all fair goers. Read on for accessibility and safety information.
Sensory Friendly Carnival Time
The Center for Human Services is sponsoring Sensory-Friendly Time on the Carnival Midway, from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Music and lights will be turned off on rides and microphone speakers for games will be at a lower volume. T
Those needing assistance may be required to have a parent or guardian sign an assumption of risk. Fairgoers are encouraged to observe each ride in operation at least one full cycle before riding to be sure they can ride safely and comfortably. All fairgoers are welcome on the carnival midway during sensory friendly time.
Stroller Rental
Strollers and wagons will be available for rental at the Fair.
Rental Fees
- Single Strollers: All Day – $10
- Double Strollers: All Day – $15
- Wagons: All Day – $12
Wheelchair Rental
Electric scooters and wheelchairs will be available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the Fair.
Rental Fees
Electric Mobility Carts:
- 4 Hours – $30
- 8 Hours – $45
- All Day – $55
Wheelchairs:
- All Day – $15
First Aid
Treatment and supplies are available at the First Aid Station, located on the west side of the Firehouse (east of the Highway Gardens).
Handicapped Accessibility
The Missouri State Fair is committed to providing equal access and a pleasant experience to all guests. Please see the Disability Assistance page for more information.
Lost & Found
If you’ve lost something during your visit to the Fair, please visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol office.
