Perhaps you’re looking for a new herd bull. Maybe a new tractor or other farm equipment are on your wish list. Or you’re just wanting to shop a vast array of clothing, jewelry and other boutique items. All this and so much more will be on display at the 43rd annual Ozark Fall Farmfest.
Held on the spacious Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, MO, the show is set for October 7-9. “This truly is the largest agricultural event in the Ozarks” said Ozark Fall Farmfest manager, Lance Markley. “With over 1,000 agricultural and rural living booths and 600 plus head of livestock on display, show attendees are in for a great experience.”
Ag displays will include farm machinery, animal health products, trailers, livestock handling equipment, feed, seed, trucks, forage equipment and many other products and services. Clothing, cosmetics, home improvement products, jewelry, pianos, cookware, farmhouse décor and health information will be featured as rural living products.
The 2022 show once again brings a record number of livestock entries with over 600 head scheduled to be seen in fairgrounds facilities including the Central Buildings Event Center. An unprecedented 30 breeds of cattle will include American Aberdeen, American British White Park, Angus, Beefalo, Beefmaster, Black Hereford, Balancer, Brahmousin, Brangus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Dexter, Gelbvieh, Horned Hereford, Irish Dexter, Limousin, LimFlex, Maine Anjou, Mini Hereford, Polled Hereford, Red Charolais, Red Angus, Red Brangus, Red Poll, Salers, Scottish Highland, Simmental, SimAngus, South Poll and White Dexter. Other livestock exhibits are club calves, American Morgan, Paint and Quarter horses, Boer goats, purebred and crossbred hogs, Dorper and Katahdin sheep along with Saint Croix hair sheep.
The Ozarks Steam Engine Association and the Southwest Missouri Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association will continue to provide a display of the evolution of agricultural technology and equipment.
If the shopping isn’t reason enough to attend Farmfest, the fair food is. According to Ozark Empire Fair General Manager Aaron Owen “eight concession stands and four climate-controlled restaurants will be open during the show with food ranging from corn dogs to barbecue to steak sandwiches and Hiland Ice Cream.” Popular dining options including the Stockyard Smokehouse, Boot Daddy Grille and the Hancock Beef Quarters will be included.
Show visitors are encouraged to register for the $1,000 Farmfest Shopping Spree. One lucky drawing winner will be entitled to spend that amount of money with any of the exhibitors at the show.
For attendees with limited mobility, scooters will be available for rent for the duration of the show near entry gate 5A. Handicap parking is also available at several fairground locations.
Admission and parking are free on the fairground property. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds are easily accessed on the north side of Springfield just off Interstate 44 and Highway 13.
A limited number of indoor and outdoor vendor booths remain available. Contact Markley at 620-423-2355 for details.
Additional show information is available at www.ozarkfallfarmfest.com or by calling the show promoter, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at 417-833-2660 and ask for Libby Reavis.
