Planning to attend the Ozark Empire Fair? Here's what to know
In less than two weeks, the 88th annual Ozark Empire Fair will kick off in north Springfield, with live music, fried treats and carnival rides for all members of the family.
Held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, the fair is Thursday, July 25, through Saturday, Aug. 3.
How much does it cost to attend the fair?
Admission to the Ozark Empire Fair is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12, when purchased online. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children at the gate. One Super Pass, which includes one admission ticket and unlimited access to carnival rides, is $30. Tickets can be purchased on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds website at ozarkempirefair.com/p/buytickets.
Tickets for special events, like concerts, demolition derby and bullfighting are additional to admission.
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Who is performing at the fair this year?
Four concerts will be held during the fair at the KY3 Grandstand:
Everclear and Mercy Playground: 7:30 p.m. July 25
Warren G and The Sugarhill Gang: 7:30 p.m. July 26
Skillet: 7:30 p.m. July 28
Reckless Kelly and Jukebox Hero: 7:30 p.m. July 30
Tickets are available on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds website at ozarkempirefair.com/p/buytickets.
In addition to live music, the following events will be held at the KY3 Grandstand:
O'Reilly Outlaw Nationals Monster Truck Show: 7 p.m. July 27
O'Reilly Auto Parts Night of Destruction: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1
Hardee's Extreme Freestyle Bullfighting: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2
Truck & Tractor Pull: 6 p.m. Aug. 3
How did the Ozark Empire Fair get started?
The Ozark Empire Fair started as a traveling collection of arts, crafts and handiwork in the early 1900s. The fair didn't have a permanent home initially, but during the 1920s and 1930s, a location near Pickwick and Grand Streets was frequented, according to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds website. By the 1930s, a permanent home for the fair was deemed necessary.
The area where the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds is located today was ideal because of "the large amount of acreage and beautiful tree-laden hills," the fairgrounds website states. The area also included the city's racetrack and grandstand, which was ideal for events.
The first fair held at the new location, at the time called The Ozark Empire District Free Fair, was Oct. 10-16, 1937. The already-constructed grandstand, a house used for administration and a display area were the only permanent structures. Tents and booths were used otherwise.
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Due to "extremely cold weather" during that first fair, dates for remaining fairs in the '30s were changed to mid-September, according to the fairgrounds website.
Throughout the '30s, admission to the fair was free. Folks only needed to pay for carnival rides, food and grandstand performances, which at the time included vaudeville and circus acts; horse, car and motorcycle racing; stunt shows and big band entertainment.
Significant changes occurred to the fair in the 1940s, including the addition of gate admission — 15 cents per person, according to the fairgrounds website. The fair's name was also changed to the Ozark Empire District Fair and by 1944, the fair's dates were moved to early August, before the school year started.
During the '40s, the fairground's racetrack was improved and asphalt drives and walkways were added to replace the former sawdust and gravel paths.
The early 1950s proved to be a slow time for the fair — so slow that discussions were held about revoking the land lease on the grounds due to financial setbacks. But by the mid-1950s, the fair was boasting once again. A new grandstand was built, cement bleachers were added and a new restroom area was constructed. Permanent cattle and sheep pens were also added.
After more than 30 years in operation, permanent structures began to pop up at the fairgrounds in the 1960s, including more livestock show areas, two dairy barns, new bleachers at the grandstand and the Missouri State Conservation Commission Building on the west side of the grounds, according to the fairgrounds website.
However, after decades of work, a setback occurred in 1960 when the grounds' coliseum burned to the ground, taking with it the sheep, swine and poultry buildings. The community pulled together and construction on a new coliseum began almost immediately, just in time to open for the next year's fair.
By the '80s, the fair was facing extinction once more. Grandstand seats didn't generate enough revenue, unfavorable weather affected fairgoer turnout and expensive building repairs loomed overhead. But as like before, the fair prevailed. A new general manager set a major community involvement campaign in place. Local businesses purchased sponsorships, new carnival rides were added, street performers entertained fairgoers, grandstand shows went back to being free and the entire grounds were deep cleaned.
Attendance reached an all-time high at the fair in the mid- to late '80s, with live entertainment including Bill Monroe, Alabama, Charley Pride, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Sawyer Brown, George Strait and Steve Wariner, according to the fairgrounds website.
Records continued to be set at the fair in the 1990s and a much-needed facelift occurred. Extensive landscaping was conducted, restrooms were remodeled, new entrance gates were built and indoor areas were improved.
Most recently, the fairgrounds welcomed the addition of the Wilson Logistics Arena in January. The 163,000-square-foot indoor arena features a VIP mezzanine, bar and grill, multiple concession stands, the Ed & Carol Pinegar Ag Learning Center and large trade show area.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozark Empire Fair: Concerts, hours, ticket prices and more to know
