County Fairgrounds

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Missouri State Fairgrounds is a popular destination for tourists looking for entertainment, agriculture, and education.


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Summary

Located in Sedalia, Missouri, the fairgrounds have been hosting events and exhibits since 1901. The fairgrounds are a must-visit for those interested in agriculture, as the Missouri State Fair, held annually in August, showcases livestock shows, horse races, and farm equipment exhibits. The fair also features concerts, carnival rides, and food vendors.

Aside from the Missouri State Fair, the fairgrounds host other events throughout the year. The Missouri State Fairgrounds RV park is open year-round, making it a great destination for camping enthusiasts. The fairgrounds also have several buildings, including the Mathewson Exhibition Center, which hosts trade shows, auctions, and other events.

One of the most popular attractions at the fairgrounds is the Missouri State Fair Speedway. The half-mile dirt track hosts several races throughout the year, including the Missouri State Fair Stock Car Race and the Missouri State Fair Sprint Car Race.

Interesting facts about the Missouri State Fairgrounds include that it was once home to the Sedalia Brownie baseball team, which played in the Negro League in the 1920s and 1930s. The fairgrounds also served as a World War II prisoner of war camp.

The best time of year to visit the fairgrounds depends on what events and activities you are interested in. The Missouri State Fair takes place in August, and the fairgrounds are busiest during this time. However, other events take place throughout the year, making the fairgrounds a great destination for visitors any time of year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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