(SEDALIA, Mo.) – The opening weekend of the 112th Missouri State Fair is full of thrilling activities and world-class entertainment. Concert highlights will include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Sara Evans and Joe Nichols performing in the Pepsi Grandstand, and MRCA rodeo finals in the State Fair Arena.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Black Stone Cherry will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at the Fair's Box Office open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Sara Evans and Joe Nichols will perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9. Tickets to this show also start at $20.

The State Fair Arena will host the MRCA Finals Rodeo starting at 7 p.m. Aug. 7-9. Tickets to the event Thursday and Friday are $8 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12. Tickets for the Saturday rodeo are $10 for adults and $6 for ages 6-12. The rodeos are free for children ages 5 and under.

The Knights of Valour – North America’s Premier Full Contact Joust Troupe will take charge of the State Fair Arena Sunday, Aug. 10. A weapons demonstration will be held at 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5:15 p.m., and full contact jousting shows will be held at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; these events are free.

Science events will also be part of the State Fair's opening weekend and are likewise free. The Agricultural Science Street Fair, coordinated by SCOPE, Missouri 4-H and the Missouri State Fair, will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9. Visitors to this event will be engaged in interactive, hands-on fun, and explore science in a whole new way with leaders in agriculture, industry, research and education. The Show-Me Robotics Competition will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10. Robot leagues are planning rumbles for FIRST® LEGO® League, FIRST® Tech Challenge, FIRST® Robotics Competition and VEX teams. Missouri 4-H and other groups will also offer robot challenges, contests and demonstrations.

Finishing out opening weekend in the Pepsi Grandstand will be the Missouri Association Championship Truck and Tractor Pull Qualifying rounds. Show times will be 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. Tickets for the 10 a.m. pull are $12 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12, and tickets for the 7 p.m. pull are $15 for adults and $6 for ages 6-12. An all-day pass is $20 for adults and $9 for ages 6-12, and both pulls are free for children ages 5 and under. Ticket prices are the same for the tractor pull finals, which will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11.

For more information about the Fair’s opening weekend highlights, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247). The 112th Missouri State Fair, themed “Harvest the Fun!,” is currently underway through Aug. 17 in Sedalia.

 

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