Highlighting the 2023 Ozark Fall Farmfest will be the opportunity for show attendees to view vendor displays in the brand new Wilson Logistics Arena.
Held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, MO, the 44th annual version is scheduled for October 6-8.
The new arena replaces a much smaller facility completed in 1961. Throughout the year, it will be home to numerous events including trade shows, rodeos, concerts, horse & livestock shows, motocross, a new Arena Football League and much more. For Farmfest, the arena floor is sold out with 252 booths along with an additional 109 displays in the lower level Ed & Carol Pinegar Ag Learning Center. Other indoor venues include the always popular E-Plex East, West and Center Halls. Over 450 outdoor agricultural exhibits will also be on display.
“In total, the event will showcase a record 1,200 agricultural and rural living booths” stated Ozark Fall Farmfest manager, Lance Markley. “Visitors may want to plan a weekend excursion and spend more than one day enjoying the show.”
Agricultural displays will include tractors & farm machinery, animal health products, trailers, livestock handling equipment, feed, seed, genetics and many other products and services. Nearly all brands represented in the region will be on display at the show. Clothing, cosmetics, home improvement products, jewelry, pianos, cookwear, farmhouse décor and health information will be featured as rural living products. Numerous boutiques will enhance the shopping experience.
“Once again a record number of livestock entries will be on hand” reports Karson Thomas, Ozark Empire Fair Livestock Director. “Over 600 head will be housed in the Central Buildings Event Center, Golden Oak Barn and Wells Arena. Represented cattle breeds 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, Mustangs, Boer and dairy goats, purebred and crossbred hogs, Dorper and Katahdin sheep along with Saint Croix hair sheep.
The Ozarks Steam Engine Association will once again provide a display of the evolution of agricultural technology and equipment in the new Wheeler Building just north of the new arena.
Delicious fair food makes the experience complete and this year will be no exception. According to Ozark Empire Fair General Manager Casey Owen “eight concession stands and three climate-controlled restaurants will be open during the show with food ranging from corn dogs to barbecue to steak sandwiches and Hiland ice cream.” Always popular dining options include the Stockyard Smokehouse and the Hancock Beef Quarters.
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 gate 5A. Handicap parking is 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 is easily accessed on the north side of Springfield just off Interstate 44 and Highway 13.
While the show is currently sold out, prospective vendors may request to be placed on a waiting list in the event of cancellations or the 2024 mailing list. Contact Markley for details at 620-423-2355. 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 Nelson.
