(SEDALIA, Mo.) – The Missouri State Fair’s sixth annual Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive is set for Tuesday, Aug. 16. Youth will also be involved in raising awareness about hunger by competing in the new Can Creation Contest.
“Hunger is a growing problem in Missouri and we hope our food drive efforts during the fair can shed light on the issue, while helping to alleviate food insecurity,” Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. “The food drive, combined with the new Can Creation Contest, is designed to assist with hunger relief for Missourians.”
Canned food will be collected each day of the fair, Aug. 11-21, with a $1 off gate admission coupon at the Centennial Gate offered in exchange for canned food donations Tuesday, Aug. 16. The promotion, Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive Tuesday, is sponsored by Missouri Farmers Care, and will benefit Feeding Missouri.
The discount may not be combined with other offers and is restricted to a $5 maximum savings per adult ticket (regularly $10), $3 maximum savings per senior ticket (regularly $7) and $1 maximum savings per child ticket (regularly $2).
The new Can Construction Contest will also be held on Aug. 16. 4-H and FFA members from across the state will compete against each other to build 3-D can structures reflecting the fair’s theme, “See What Crops Up.” Bing’s Grocery Stores of Sedalia is donating 2,000 cans to be used in the creations. At the conclusion of the contest, the donated cans will also benefit Feeding Missouri.
Aug. 16-17 will also feature the “Old and Wow” Tractor and Equipment Show. All tractors, working or retired, old or new, restored or original, are invited to the event. The show, sponsored by Crown Power & Equipment, will take place northeast of the Mathewson Exhibition Center. The tractors and equipment may participate in a parade of power at 1:30 p.m. and tractor operator competitions at 3 p.m. on Aug. 16. A tractor parade will take place at 2 p.m. Aug. 17.
More information on the tractor and equipment show reunion can be found on the State Fair’s website.