Fair Director Mark Wolfe today announced attendance for the 2015 Missouri State Fair.  Final numbers for the 11-day event confirm that 352,888 people attended this year’s Fair.

“The 2015 Fair offered something for the whole family,” Fair Director Mark Wolfe said.  “Our agriculture showcase, combined with great concerts and entertainment, demonstrations, shopping, Fair food and the great weather all added up to draw folks from across Missouri and the Midwest to the Fair this year.”

Featuring nearly 30,000 livestock and competitive exhibit entries, with nearly 4,000 Missouri 4-H and FFA youth participants, the Fair continues to be a platform that fosters growth among Missouri youth and agriculture.

“This year’s Fair was evident that both Missouri youth and Missouri agriculture are strong,” said Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. “The Fair continues to be a timeless platform for our state’s agriculture industry, other industry leaders and its divers residents.”

Several highlights helped make this year successful.  Special celebrations and commemorative activities were held on Opening Day, Military Appreciation Day, Governor’s, Legislator’s and Judges’ Day and Youth in Agriculture Day, and attracted diverse crowds.

The World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales returned for the full 11 days of the Fair.  Their appearances in the Opening Day Parade and near-daily parades through the fairgrounds were welcomed by fairgoers.

This year’s Military Appreciation Ceremony was again well attended, with more than 39,000 people on the fairgrounds, including military service men and women and their families.  Wolfe said he is proud of the State Fair’s efforts to honor our military service men and women.

The highest attended concert in 2015 featured country legends Alabama who performed for a near sell-out crowd on Friday, Aug. 21.  This year marked their tenth Missouri State Fair appearance.

A new vendor highlight this year was the AgriMissouri Bistro and Market, offering Missouri grown options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Missouri State Fair has been recognized as one of the premier agriculture showcases in the world by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) and as a top summer destination, highlighting the best of the best in Missouri agriculture, cuisine, crafts and more.

The 2016 Fair will be held Aug. 11-21 in Sedalia.  For more information about the 2016 Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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