Missouri State Fair fills offseason calendar

SEDALIA, Mo. -- There's more than just the fair at the Missouri State Fairgrounds as the facility brings zooming cars and football during its offseason.

The fair plans to hold Mid Missouri Outlaws arena football games, a Christian concert and several new equine events. There also will be auto racing on a half-mile dirt track.

State Fair events manager Mike Riley told The Sedalia Democrat that weekly Friday night races will return following a three-year absence from the fairgrounds. After working with a new promoter to organize the events, Riley said the 14-week racing schedule is scheduled to start April 16.

Other new events include a "Christian Explosion Concert" in May, Riley said. The concert features artists Rush of Fools and Chris and Conrad, and fair officials hope the performances will bring many spectators.

"It's been a long time since we've had a Christian concert," Riley said. "Frankly, we don't have a lot of offseason concerts here in Sedalia."

The Missouri State Fair received $58,000 this year from the Sedalia Area Tourism Commission to coordinate offseason events. State Fair Director Mark Wolfe said he is optimistic about the quality and quantity of events scheduled on the fairgrounds this year will provide a boost to local tourism.

"Many of the commitments on the roster should be revenue producers for area businesses as well, including the auto races," Wolfe said.

In 2009, the Missouri State Fairgrounds held 207 events with several spanning multiple days for a total of 438 days of events, Wolfe said.

Riley said economic conditions have shrunk the scale of some of this year's events, but he said the offseason calendar is filling in for 2010. Officials are still working to fill some weekend slots, he said.

Mid Missouri Outlaws football games start Feb. 13, with games scheduled throughout the spring and early summer. Show-Me Mounted Shooters will hold a mounted shooting competition at the Coliseum on April 10 and 11. The American Endurance Ride Conference will host the "State Fair Express" endurance ride April 24.