What the Ozark Empire Fair Is
The Ozark Empire Fair is Springfield's ten-day agricultural and family fair, run by the Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Society. It was first held in 1937, and the most recent edition, July 30 to August 8, 2026, was the 90th. Organizer materials estimate attendance at more than 150,000. The fair combines livestock shows, Life and Arts exhibits, a midway and grandstand entertainment on one fairgrounds.
Ways to Take Part
| Who you are | What the fair offers |
|---|---|
| Junior livestock exhibitor | Fair livestock shows (July 30 to August 8), with the Gold Buckle Extravaganza the weekend before, July 23 to 25, 2026 |
| Youth Life and Arts exhibitor | Exhibits in nearly any category, including writing and school projects, plus garden, flower and leather divisions |
| Young adult, 18 to 25 | Livestock Ambassador Program, with a $1,000 scholarship on completion |
| Visitor | Midway, grandstand concerts, monster trucks, bullfighting, a truck and tractor pull and free shows |
Youth Exhibiting: Rules and Deadlines
- Youth exhibiting is one combined department open to children of all ages; age limits are set by division or class. Youth clubs (except Girl Scouts) are a new division in the Youth Department.
- Life and Arts youth exhibit entries were due June 25, 2026, and garden and flower entries were due July 10.
- Entry is online, or with the printable 2026 Life and Arts Registration Form. A Youth Handbook with the rules is posted on the fair's website.
- Special Events lets children have creations judged live, including On The Spot competitions where they build crafts at the fair.
Livestock Ambassador Program
Ambassadors are official representatives of the Ozark Empire Fair Foundation. They must be 18 to 25, sign the Foundation code of conduct, work the Gold Buckle Extravaganza weekend (July 23, 24 and 25 in 2026) and work at least five livestock show days between July 30 and August 8, scheduled with the Livestock Director. Cattle show days are mandatory unless the director gives permission. The 2026 application was due July 1, and ambassadors who complete their term receive a $1,000 scholarship. The livestock program also lists the Earl K. Nau Scholarship and the W.D. Pipkin Memorial Scholarship; the Fair Livestock Handbook holds the entry forms and rules.
Visiting: What Is On
- The midway opens at 1 p.m. daily, and at 4 p.m. on opening day, July 30.
- $3 Day, Monday, August 3: $3 admission, $3 parking per car, $3 on several food items and $3 on all rides.
- The 2026 grandstand lineup opened Friday, July 31 with Sawyer Brown and also included Colton Dixon, Alex Miller and Foghat, plus the O'Reilly Outlaw Nationals Monster Truck Show, a bullfighting night, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Night of Destruction and a truck and tractor pull.
- The E-Plex hosts vendors each day, the fair offers several free shows, and the livestock barn is open to visitors.
Where
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center, 3001 N Grant Avenue, Springfield, MO 65803.
Questions
Which day is cheapest?
$3 Day, Monday, August 3 in 2026, with $3 admission, parking and rides.
Can a young person earn a scholarship at the fair?
Yes. Ages 18 to 25 can apply to be a Livestock Ambassador for a $1,000 scholarship.
When was the last deadline for youth exhibits?
June 25 for Life and Arts and July 10 for garden and flowers in 2026.
Who do I call?
The fair office: 417-833-2660. Youth exhibit questions go to the Life and Arts Director at the same number.
Official Links
- Ozark Empire Fair listing: dates, history, organizer
- 2026 Ozark Empire Fair: What you need to know
- Youth Exhibiting
- Livestock Ambassador Program
Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Fair dates
Missouri county fairs run through the summer. In 2026 the Benton County fair in Lincoln was June 17 to 20 and the Livingston County fair in Chillicothe was July 11 to 17, per fair listings. The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia ran August 13 to 23, per the News Tribune.
Who can show
State Fair 4-H members must have passed their 8th birthday but not their 19th before January 1, and food animal exhibitors need Show-Me Quality Assurance, per the livestock rules.
Deadlines
State Fair livestock entries were due July 13 at 5:00 p.m. with no late entries. Beef steer ownership is March 1 and swine May 1.
Health and sale rules
Cattle and swine need a veterinary inspection certificate dated within 30 days of the show, and needles are not allowed in the barns. A market animal that has been offered for sale cannot be shown at the State Fair.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book, ownership dates and weigh-in details.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
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Kingsville, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details - Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Fruitland
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Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Kirksville Livestock, LLC in Kirksville, coordinated by Zac Erwin. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-12-11.
Kirksville, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.