2022 exhibitors have first right to reserve their space until May 5, 2023. Booth selection for new exhibitors begins July 1, 2023.
Show Location and Phone Numbers
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO 65803
Ozark Empire Fair: 417-833-2660
Show Dates and Hours
Friday, Oct. 6 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7 — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Buildings will open one hour before show time to exhibitors only.
Exhibitor Set-Up Dates
Monday, Oct. 2 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for outside exhibitors only with six or more booths
Tuesday, Oct. 3 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 4 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 5 — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All exhibits must be in place by Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.
Tear Down and Move Out
Tear down and move out of exhibit space must not begin before 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. Buildings will close on Sunday at 8 p.m. All inside exhibits must be removed by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9. All outside exhibits must be removed by 12 noon on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Please follow the deadlines as the next event will be moving in.
Tables, Chairs & Other Decorator Item Rental
Please contact Tori Mitchell at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at 417-833-2660 prior to Sept. 22 (for carpet) and Sept. 29 (for all other items). To order decorator items, complete the form found here.
Tent Rental
These tent companies are approved for renting tents at the Ozark Fall Farmfest. Exhibitors need to deal directly with them or may use their own pop-up tents.
Action Tent Service — Mark Hansen
432 N. Eastgate, Springfield, MO 65803
417-864-8449
Weiser Tents — John Weiser
10 N. Industrial Drive, Monett, MO 65708
800-798-0119
All tents must be removed by noon on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. All holes in asphalt from tents or other posts must be filled with concrete hole fillers. No packing materials allowed.
Hotel Information
See the Accommodations page for more information.
Camping Spaces
Limited camping spaces for exhibitors only are available on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Reservations must be made by calling the Fairgrounds office at 417-833-2660 prior to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
Exhibitor Registration
All exhibitors must register Oct. 3, Oct. 4 or Oct. 5 at the Ozark Fall Farmfest office located on the east side entrance of the E-Plex. Parking passes and exhibitor name badges will be issued at check-in.
Forklifts
Forklift service is available at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3 through 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9. Cost: $90 per hour, $15 minimum charge.
Ozark Fall Farmfest liability insurance requires any forklift (company owned or rented) used at the 2023 Farmfest to have a certificate of liability insurance coverage naming the Ozark Empire Fair as additional insured. Operator certification is also required. All forklifts must be checked in at the Fairgrounds Office before unloading any exhibits. Exhibitor furnished forklifts are for that exhibitor only. No subcontracting. Failure to comply may result in ineligibility for future Ozark Fall Farmfest exhibition.
Exhibitor Parking
Please examine the Exhibitor Parking Map carefully regarding entry gate and parking availability for 2023 exhibitors.
Outside Exhibitors: If your vehicle will not fit in your assigned booth space, it must be parked in a designated parking lot. Exhibitor vehicle hang tags are required for entry to Exhibitor-Only Parking Areas. Tags are available in the Ozark Fall Farmfest office. Exhibitor vehicles parked in booths must remain in place until the show closes each day.
Trailer Parking
In 2023, all exhibitor trailers will be parked in an off-grounds lot just northeast of the fairgrounds property. The lot is fenced and will have 24-hour security beginning Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m. and ending Sunday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Take Grant Street (north/south road on east side of fairgrounds) north just one-tenth of a mile from the northeast corner of the ground. The lot is on the east side. Staff will be on hand to check your trailer both in and out. Please plan accordingly if your trailer contains items needed for restocking your booth during the show. Exhibitors who sell items that are located in the trailer lot and require forklift loading on a customer’s trailer may have that done at no charge between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Please notify the show office of your requests.
Handicap Parking
Enter Gate 9 on the north side of the grounds and park east of the E-Plex East Hall or enter Gate 8 (after 8 a.m.) and park west of the E-Plex West Hall. You can also enter Gate 10 and park by the lower campground.
Scooter Rentals
To reserve a mobility scooter or wheelchair, please complete the form found here.
Springfield Fire Department Rules and Guidelines
• Inside Booths: All hay and straw bales must be treated with an approved fire retardant. You must have product packaging and bottle to prove application. Any vehicles, tractors, utility vehicles or ATVs in the building must have less than a quarter tank or five gallons of fuel and the battery ground cable disconnected. All emergency doors must be unobstructed and available for exit.
• Outside Booths: The Ozark Fall Farmfest will operate with a blanket permit for all tents from the Springfield Fire Department. You do not have to apply for a tent permit. Any booth with a tent larger than 400 square feet shall comply with Chapter 31 of the Springfield Municipal Code which governs tents or other membrane structures. For additional tent guidelines, visit the City of Springfield’s Tent Permit webpage.
Any hay or straw bales in a tent or within 12 feet of a tent must be treated with an approved fire retardant. You must have product packaging and bottle to prove application. Any vehicles, tractors, utility vehicles or ATVs within 20 feet of a tent or in a tent must have less than a quarter tank or five gallons of fuel and have the battery ground cable disconnected. All drive/fire lanes must remain unobstructed during the event.
Missouri Retail Sales Tax
The Missouri Department of Revenue requires all vendors to have their own Missouri Tax Identification Number if they make sales at retail.
Special Event Packets will not be provided. Unregistered vendors will need to contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax license.
In addition, all exhibitors must have a 2023 City of Springfield Business License prior to the show. As in past years, the Ozark Fall Farmfest will provide the license to you at no charge, providing you have a Missouri Tax Identification Number if required. Most products used solely for the purpose of farming or agriculture are tax exempt. No tax identification number is required if you promote services only. The 2023 sales tax rate for Springfield, Missouri, is 9.1 percent.
If you have questions regarding your sales tax status and special events, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue at 573-751-5860 or email businesstaxregister@dor.mo.gov.
If you have questions regarding Springfield business licenses, call 417-864-1617 or visit the City of Springfield’s Business Licensing webpage.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet is available for exhibitors located in the E*Plex East, West and Center Halls. Please contact the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds office for details at 417-833-2660.
Exhibitor Free Continental Breakfast
On Saturday, Oct. 7 from 8 to 9 a.m. Serving from the E-Plex West Hall concession stand and the Motorway Café on the main midway. Exhibitors must wear name badges to be served.
Service Animals/Guide Dogs
Service animals that are trained or in training are allowed on the grounds. All service animals must remain on a leash or harness at all times. All other animals are prohibited.
Coffee and Foods
You cannot serve, sell or give away any food or drink items. This includes coffee, popcorn, peanuts, etc.
Smoking Policy
Smoking or use of vapors allowed only in designated areas (city ordinance).
Fairgrounds Transportation
ATVs, motorcycles, motor scooters, etc., cannot be driven around the grounds. Scooters, rollerblades, skates or Heelys, bicycles, skateboards, etc., are not permitted on the grounds at any time. Golf carts are to be used on the grounds by authorized personnel only for official use only.
Handbill Posting
Posting of signs or handbills anywhere on the grounds is not allowed. Exhibitors cannot distribute literature or in any other way solicit business outside of the boundaries of their own booth spaces.
Booths Must Remain Intact
Exhibitors’ booth spaces must remain intact throughout the show. Large items (i.e. equipment and accessories) sold to customers can be removed after closing or prior to opening but the booth must remain stocked, staffed and open for business during show hours. Failure to comply may result in non-eligibility to exhibit at future shows.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we strive to make the Ozark Fall Farmfest enjoyable for attendees and successful for exhibitors!