MULE
Photos by KURT RODEWALD, Digitalburg
The 2012 Missouri State Fair is currently underway in Sedalia and will continue through Sunday, Aug. 19. The theme of this year’s fair is “Celebrate Then and Wow.” For more information, visit www.mostatefair.com or call 1-800-422-FAIR. The following photos are from the opening day, Aug. 9. Click on a photo to see a larger view.
The MSF midway was scarcely populated at 11 a.m. Thursday as patrons began to fill the fairgrounds.
Kevin Lines conducted the Marshall Municipal Band as it played before and after the Missouri State Fair opening ceremony.
Director of the Mo. State Fair, Mark Wolfe made opening remarks and served as emcee of the opening ceremony Thursday.
Keynote speaker, Governor Jay Nixon, speaking during the opening ceremony.
Director of the Mo. Dept. of Agriculture, Jon Hagler speaks during the opening ceremony.
Chairman of the MSF Commission Jack Magruder speaks during the opening ceremony.
MSF director, Mark Wolfe presents MSF volunteer fire fighter chief Rick Dozier a commemorative plaque in honor of the department’s 50 years of service.
Ryan Manuel sang the national anthem at the beginning of the opening ceremony.
Members of the Smith-Cotton High School JROTC served as color guard for the opening ceremony.
Mo. State Fair Fire Department public information officer, Joe Jennings hands first-aid kits to Sparky, the department’s mascot. The department is celebrating 50 years of service at the fair.
Spectators at the opening ceremony were given fans for some relief from the early morning heat. Temperatures reached the low 80s by 10 a.m.
For Two Buck Bonanza day, many vendors offered $2 deals. Raymond Bell created this sign to advertise the smaller $2 corn dogs sold at his concession stand Thursday. Bell normally sells foot-long corn dogs for $4.
Jose Medrano buys a $2 corn dog and soda at a Kim Laine Fun Foods concession stand.
The “Mooo-na Lisa,” the 2012 buttercow at the Gerken Dairy Center, was created by Scott Linsenbardt and Janice Hargrave.
Tyler Schwartz of Mo. State Parks describes some of the items on display which would typically be used on a camping trip. Schwartz and others are part of the “Learn 2” program to teach inexperienced campers the basics of camping in Missouri.
Judy Merritt hangs a sign for her Butterfly Kingdom. The tent is filled with a nature setting and area butterflies, such as monarchs, for patrons to interact with.
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