Hazel Sparks and her husband, Teddy, are from Macon. They attend the fair regularly to support family who are showing livestock. But they seem like the kind of people who might choose to go anyhow. According to Mrs. Sparks, there has been a rumor floating around the Macon/Kirksville area that is very interesting: “The rumor going around is that they’re moving the State Fair to Springfield.” Let me assure those people, and all Missourians both in and outside of Sedalia, the Fair is not moving, not ever. Hazel Sparks thought this was good news: “I like it here in Sedalia — too many memories. It’s centrally located, for everyone!” — Columnist Travis McMullen
I know fair-goers love their free stuff, but I don’t know that I’ve ever really witnessed it like I did Saturday when visiting the fairgrounds with my parents and boyfriend. While looking at the fish in the Department of Conservation area, I saw people taking one of everything on a table — pencils, multiple stickers, fans, plastic bags, etc. I’m not sure the people grabbing them even knew what they were taking because it looked like more of an assembly line where you take one of each item from a pile rather than selecting an item or two that caught your eye. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a journalist with a desk drawer full of more promotional pens than I’ll ever need, but do you really need five paper fans and three similar-looking Conservation stickers? — Editor Nicole Cooke
Young fair-goers love picking up blue plastic Highway Patrol hats at the Fair, and who could blame them? Those hats are stylish. But it also seems they either abandon, forget or lose them during the course of an average day at the Fair. Maybe we need to set up a container near all the exits for lost or unwanted plastic trooper tops, so that they could partially replenish their annual stock with reused hats! — Columnist Travis McMullen
CONTRIBUTE TO FAIR WATCH
Every day the Democrat staff contributes to Fair Watch — short, fun and unique observations at the Missouri State Fair — but they shouldn’t be the only ones to get in on the fun. Readers, here’s your chance to assist with the Democrat’s Fair coverage. Email your Fair Watch input for the day to ncooke@sedaliademocrat.com. You can also share videos and photos from the Fair. Your contributions could appear in print or on sedaliademocrat.com. Happy reporting!
