"The Rural Lifestyles Showcase provides helpful how-to information that fairgoers will be able to take home and apply to their own lifestyle," said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. "People respond well to this practical information they can take away from the fair." 

The showcase will feature traditional exhibits as well as new and relevant displays located in 15 buildings and several outdoor exhibition areas on the 396-acre fairground. The entire showcase is included in regular fair admission, which is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 60 and over, and $2 for children ages 6 to 12.

Once again, the Home Economics Building will feature the Consumer Showcase Stage, sponsored by Cookbook Publishers Inc., offering sensible family education through a variety of demonstrations provided by individuals and companies, such as Missouri Pork Association's Cooking with Pork. Also available in the building this year is the 2010 Missouri State Fair Cookbook for a special fair price of $12; it contains two-years of prize-winning recipes from the 2008 and 2009 fairs.

New this year are Missouri Wine and Grape Board Cooking with Missouri Wine Contest, Missouri Beef Council Recipe Contest, Bothwell Regional Health Center Baking Sugar-Free Recipe Contest, Sedalia's Scottish Rite Club Cookie Contest, Mystery Sack Contest and Kehde's My Favorite Barbeque Recipe Contest.

The Agriculture Building, managed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, will again feature the AgriMissouri Farmers' Market, offering fresh produce direct from Missouri growers. Visitors can sample local produce as well as other foods at the stand from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day of the fair. In addition, fairgoers can locate local farmers markets and learn how to get involved in growing fresh fruits and vegetables. The Agriculture Building will also host a Local Foods Showcase Stage where visitors can enjoy watching daily demonstrations on cooking and gardening with Missouri products.  

Among other buildings incorporating the Rural Lifestyles Showcase are the Woman's Building featuring family outdoor activity ideas provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the FFA and 4-H Buildings. Additional topics in the showcase will include painting, photography and pottery demonstrations as well as tips from experts in landscaping, gardening and going green.

This year the newly remodeled Farm Bureau Building will feature more agricultural exhibits and a chance for visitors to win a John Deere lawn tractor. Farm Bureau will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Aug. 16, at 9:30 a.m.

The Mo-Ag Theatre/Mizzou Central Building will be adding several new health-related exhibits this year including an American Red Cross blood drive on Aug. 12, a free skin cancer screening on Aug. 16, and an Adult Falls Prevention Health Fair on Aug. 18.

FYI

A complete list of showcase topics is available online at

www.mostatefair.com/rural-lifestyles-showcase.php.