showing at the Missouri State Fair

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5PCC

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
190
Location
Northeast Missouri
Friends...Have you been to the MO State Fair? We planned our first trip there last year (with our cattle), but didn't make it due to health reasons. I showed cattle yearly at the Iowa State Fair, but have NEVER been to MO State Fair. PLEASE give me the scoop...where to eat, what to do and see, any tips to know for showing the steers and heifers, etc. Any little tip or "must see" is appreciated. Also, as a family of 5 who will be staying for a while (to exhibit the cattle), money saving tips are always appreciated! I haven't gotten a hotel yet (I hope it is not too late!). Please share if you know of one that is close to the fairgrounds, CLEAN, and reasonably priced.Thanks
 

bovine and equine

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
186
Location
Wisconsin
We showed at the Missouri State Fair for the first time last year.  We typically just show at WI State fair.  Anyway...LOVED MO!  Great tie out area, ok wash racks, easy entry and parking for livestock exhibitors.  We stayed at the Best Western.  About 3 miles down the road.  Nice pool & morning breakfast I might add.  The only thing I did not like was the bedding they supplied.  Made the cattle really dirty, but was ok if you wet the night before.  Our group get a block of rooms reserved until mid July.....if you have trouble finding a room message me as I bet we could open up one of those rooms for you to reserve as we typically have extra. 
 

garett

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Messages
375
Location
Northern Missouri
Like they said, the bedding sucks. Its a mix of gravely sand, but if you keep it wet down it's not so terrible. Some bring artificial turf grass that will keep the calves a lot cleaner. There is usually plenty of barn space. It does depend on when you'll be down there though about where you'll be able to tie out. There are some built-in tie out spaces where there is usually plenty of room. The rest of the tie out spaces are where ever you can find a spot. The lot opens up the week before the fair so most of the steer guys bring trailers down early to mark spots under shade trees. The steers and a lot of the bigger heifer breeds (Maine, Chis, Herf, Xbred) are down there at the beginning of the week so that's when its the busiest. I showed shorthorns and they aren't down there until the second week so things have calmed down a lot. Good luck getting an affordable hotel this late in the year, I'm cheap and just stayed in my trailer. haha.

What are you guys showing? PM me is you have any questions.
 

5PCC

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
190
Location
Northeast Missouri
We have 3 crossbred steers and 3 crossbred heifers. We will be there Aug 9 thru Aug 12. Heifers show August 10. Steers show August 12. We can't find a hotel room anywhere!!
 

garett

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2007
Messages
375
Location
Northern Missouri
So you'll be down there during the busiest few cattle days, and the good concerts are usually during those days too! Good luck!
 

CHFarms

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2011
Messages
15
Location
Diamond,Mo
Might check around the air force base usually theres some rooms over there. A little drive but not bad.
 
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