The 77th Annual Gasconade County Fair is gearing up to bring four days of excitement, entertainment, and community spirit to Memorial Park in Owensville. The fair kicks off on Wednesday, July 24, with a full slate of activities that promise fun for the whole family.

The fair’s grand opening begins at 6 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony and Outstanding Community Service awards.

Scheduled to received Outstanding Community Service Awards from the Gasconade County Fair Association for their long time support of the event are Robert (Chuck) and Pam Idel and the Joe Mundwiller family.

Recipients of Gasconade County Fair Scholarships for 2024 include Gracie Engelbrecht, McKenzy Echols, Larry Thompson, and Megan Lewis.

Attendees can enjoy Agri-Tot Land from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 09 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The Fun Time Shows Carnival will be in full swing Wednesday and Thursday from 6-11 p.m. with additional hours Friday and Saturday from 1-5 p.m. and 6-11 p.m.

The opening evening’s highlight will be the Gasconade County Fair Queen competition, following the Little Mr. & Miss Gasconade County Contest at 6:30 p.m.

Rafter 7P Rodeo Productions will showcase bull riding and barrel racing in the lower field starting at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday kicks off with agricultural events at 9 a.m., including market barrow and gilt shows, followed by the swine show and bucket calf shows at 10 a.m., featuring 4-H and Pee Wee participants. The dairy cattle show and steer will occur at 1 p.m. and at 7 p.m. the market lamb and goat shows. The exhibit hall opens at 10 a.m. daily and remains open until 10 p.m., except during the parade.

The annual parade occurs downtown at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, featuring floats celebrating this year’s theme, “Making Lifetime Memories.”

Thursday evening’s events include a lawnmower derby at 6 p.m. and a demolition derby at 7 p.m. in the lower field. Music fans can enjoy Sofie and the New Relics at 7:30 p.m., followed by Nashville recording artist Zac Dunlap on the main stage at 8:30 p.m.

Friday’s schedule features the beef cattle breeds show at 8:30 a.m., followed by the sheep and goat breeding show at 9 a.m. The evening’s events include a pedal tractor pull for ages 3-10 at 6 p.m., with signups starting at 5:30 p.m. at the pavilion north of the grand stand.

Ozark Highlanders Association tractor pull will start at 6 p.m., the GTO Garden Tractor Pullers of Mid-Missouri Association at 7 p.m., and the Eastern Missouri Truck Pullers in the lower field at 7 p.m.

Musical entertainment will feature Barely Covered from 8-12 p.m. in the lower field beer garden, with local resident and former vocalist Sheradin Edler joining for a full second set around 9 p.m. The American country music band Sawyer Brown will perform on the main stage at the same time.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with the GTA Car Show at 9 a.m. in the lower ball field. At noon, the 29th Annual Kingsford BBQ Cook-Off takes place, and the Corn Hole Tournament in the lower beer garden, all at noon. A sheep and goat costume exhibition is scheduled for 12 p.m., followed by the youth livestock sale at 3 p.m.

The Kiddy’s Nickel Scramble will take place at 6 p.m., with 5 p.m. signups north of the sheep barn. The evening also features Excalibur and Missouri Farm Pullers both starting at 7 p.m. Musical performances will include the Centerstage band in the lower field beer garden at 8 p.m., and multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans on the main stage at 8:30 p.m. A local farm pull will occur at 9 p.m.

General admission is $15 on Wednesday, $20 on Thursday, $30 on Friday, and $40 on Saturday. Season passes are available for $50 at the gates on Wednesday only. Children under 5 enter free, and carnival rides are included with admission. A free shuttle trolley service will be available from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Walmart and Maciejewski parking lots.

The Gasconade County Fair, organized in 1948 and managed by the Gasconade County Fair Association, is governed by a 36-member board, including President Nick Baxter, Vice-President Tim Jenkins, Secretary Cheryl Schlottach, and Treasurer Brenda Kurrelmeyer.

For more details, visit gasconadecountyfair.com or call 573-437-2559.