Former director of Mo. State Fair returns to job

SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) -- A former director of the Missouri State Fair is returning to the job.

Marion Lucas, currently of Surprise, Ariz., was hired to replace Mel Willard, who retired at the beginning of the year, Gov. Matt Blunt's office announced Tuesday. Lucas will begin work on April 1.

Lucas was director of the Missouri State Fair from 1981 to 1986, before becoming manager and chief executive officer of the Iowa State Fair. He retired from that job in 2002. He also is a former chairman of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

In a news release, Lucas said he decided to come out of retirement because, "once a fair man, always a fair man. This business gets in your blood. Missouri was my first fair and this means coming home to family and a great many friends."

Lucas will make $85,000 year. Willard's salary was $73,000 a year.

The 105th Missouri State Fair will be Aug. 9-19.

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Information from: The Sedalia Democrat, http://www.sedaliademocrat.com