State Fair to offer Rural Lifestyle Showcase

The 2010 Missouri State Fair will feature a exhibits focused on the aspects of rural living and farming as it presents the Rural Lifestyle Showcase. Photo illustration

When the State Fair rolls in to Sedalia, Mo., next month, it will offer a new experience for those wondering what a rural lifestyle is like by offering the Rural Lifestyle Showcase.

The Rural Lifestyle Showcase is one of hundreds of exhibits that can held fairgoers "incorporate rural experiences into everyday living," according to State Fair representatives.

"The Rural Lifestyles Showcase provides helpful how-to information that fairgoers will be able to take home and apply to their own lifestyle," said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. "People respond well to this practical information they can take away from the Fair."

Wolfe said the showcase will feature traditional exhibits as well as new and relevant displays located in 15 buildings and several outdoor exhibition areas on the 396-acre fairground."

The entire Showcase, themed "Something for Everyone," is included in regular Fair admission, which is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 60 and over, and $2 for children ages 6 to 12.

Once again the Home Economics Building will feature the Consumer Showcase Stage, sponsored by Cookbook Publishers, Inc., which will offer sensible family education through a variety of demonstrations provided by individuals and companies, like Missouri Pork Association Cooking with Pork. Also available is the 2010 Missouri State Fair Cookbook for a special Fair price of $12; it contains two-years of prize-winning recipes from the 2008 and 2009 Fairs.

Wolfe said visitors to the Home Economics Building will have an opportunity to enter a free drawing to win a big screen television and DVD player, donated by Sedalia's Walmart, and other contests.

New this year is the Missouri Wine and Grape Board Recipe Contest, Sedalia's Scottish Rite Club Cookie Contest, Mystery Sack Contest, and Kehde's My Favorite Barbecue Recipe Contest.

In the Agriculture Building, which is managed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, fairgoers will have the opportunity to experience the AgriMissouri Farmers' Market, which offers fresh produce straight from Missouri growers. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, visitors can sample local produce and other foods. In addition, fairgoers can locate local farmers' markets and learn how to get involved in growing fresh fruits and vegetables. The Agriculture Building will also host a Local Foods Showcase Stage where visitors can enjoy watching daily demonstrations on cooking and gardening with Missouri products.

Also incorporating the Rural Lifestyle Showcase will be the Women's Building, featuring family outdoor activity ideas provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the FFA and 4-H Buildings. Other exhibits in the showcase will feature painting, photography, and pottery demonstrations, as well as tips from experts in landscaping, gardening, and "going green."

In the newly remodeled Farm Bureau Building, visitors will have the chance to win a John Deere lawn tractor as they view additional agriculture exhibits. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the building at 9:30 a.m., on Aug. 16.

The Mo-Ag Theatre/Mizzou Central Building will be adding several new health-related exhibits this year including an American Red Cross Blood Drive on August 12, a free skin cancer screening on August 16, and an Adult Falls Prevention Health Fair on August 18.

A complete list of showcase topics is available online at www.mostatefair.com/rural-lifestyle-show....

The Missouri State Fair will be held August 12-22, at Sedalia. For more information, log on to www.mostatefair.com.