Show-Me Bluegrass Festival returns to the Missouri State Fair

Sedalia, MO –The second annual Show-Me Bluegrass Festival returns to the Missouri State Fair Wednesday, Aug. 15. Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced today that the day of bluegrass music will feature more than 10 bands, again being sponsored by AgriMissouri.

“The Show-Me Bluegrass Festival brings a unique atmosphere to the fairgrounds,” said Wolfe. “The soothing sound of acoustic stringed instruments attracted many fairgoers last year and I anticipate an equally receptive crowd this year.

“Among the bands will be Charlie and the Girls,” said Wolfe. “This group recently took fourth place honors in a Youth in Bluegrass competition at Silver Dollar City. The band is noted for traditional bluegrass and gospel music and is slated to perform at 3 p.m. Aug. 15 on the Budweiser Stage.”

Other bands on this year’s schedule include River Berry, Misty Mountain, Whetstone, Beverly’s Hillbillies and Bluegrass Missourians.

Amateur musicians are also encouraged to showcase their talents during the Festival. A 4 O’Clock Jam Session will be held in the Show-Me Tent for anyone bringing an instrument, followed by a Banjo Contest at 6 p.m. on the Touchstone Energy Stage.

Bluegrass music will continue as The Quebe Sisters Band joins the Country Gold Tour this year, performing in the Pepsi Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15. The sisters are noted for their Texas-style fiddling and three-part harmony.

Tickets for the concert are $20 and $10 and can be purchased from Ticketmaster.com or from the Missouri State Fair Box Office, now open noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Aug. 15 will also include special activities for seniors, including dancing and bingo. The dancing will include more than 250 entertainers from across Missouri showcasing their square, line and clog dancing skills in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seniors can enter the Senior Waltz Contest starting at 1 p.m. in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Cash awards will be presented to three places in waltz, polka, jitterbug and line dance categories.

A $2 gate admission discount will be given on senior and adult tickets Aug. 15, to those presenting a Sedalia Democrat newspaper front page Fair banner.

For more information about the Show-Me Bluegrass Festival and senior activities, visit www.mostatefair.com or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247). The 110th Missouri State Fair will be Aug. 9-19 in Sedalia and is themed “Celebrate Then and Wow.”