Visitors to this year’s Missouri State Fair can help support the fight against hunger by participating in the fair’s sixth annual Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive on Tuesday, August 16. Youth will also be involved in raising awareness about hunger by competing in the new Can Creation Contest, sponsored by Bing’s Grocery Stores of Sedalia, on Tuesday, August 16.
“Hunger is a growing problem in Missouri and we hope our food drive efforts during the fair can shed light on the issue, while helping to alleviate food insecurity,” said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. “The food drive, combined with the new Can Creation Contest, is designed to assist with hunger relief for Missourians.”
Canned food will be collected every day of the fair, August 11-21, with a special discount gate admission promotion offered in exchange for canned food donations Tuesday, August 16. The promotion, Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday, is sponsored by Missouri Farmers Care, and will benefit Feeding Missouri.
Fairgoers will be able to exchange a canned food item for a $1 off gate admission coupon at the Centennial Gate on August 16. The discount may not be combined with other offers and is restricted to a $5 maximum savings per adult ticket (regularly $10), $3 maximum savings per senior ticket (regularly $7) and $1 maximum savings per child ticket (regularly $2). Coupons are valid August 16 only and may be redeemed at gate admission ticket booths.
To further raise awareness about hunger, the new Can Construction Contest will also be held on August 16. FFA and 4-H members from across the state will compete against each other to build 3-D can structures reflecting the fair’s theme, “See What Crops Up.” Bing’s Grocery Stores of Sedalia is donating 2,000 cans to be used in the creations. At the conclusion of the contest, the donated cans will also benefit Feeding Missouri.
The “Old and Wow” Tractor and Equipment Show will be featured August 16 – 17. All tractors, working or retired, old or new, restored or original, are invited to the event. The show, sponsored by Crown Power & Equipment, will take place northeast of the Mathewson Exhibition Center. The tractors and equipment may participate in a parade of power at 1:30 p.m. and tractor operator competitions at 3:00 p.m. on August 16. A tractor parade will take place at 2:00 p.m. on August 17. More information on the tractor and equipment show reunion can be found on the State Fair’s website.
The 114th Missouri State Fair, themed “See What Crops Up” will be held August 11-21 in Sedalia. For more information about concerts, events and other Fair activities, visit mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).