Missouri State Fair: Rural youth showcase their livestock

SEDALIA, Mo. – Animals take the center stage at most state fairs, and 2025 is no different.

For many youth, especially those from rural parts of Missouri, the state fair is a huge deal. They make the trek each summer to show off their livestock and hopefully take home a winning ribbon.

“I like it,” said Gracie Marie, a teen presenter from the town of Butler. “I like the people, I like all the kids, I like how it works. I like it.”

For Heidi Wheeler, a teen presenter from northwest Missouri, it’s a dream of a lifetime to walk into the state fair barns.

“There's a lot of junior competitors here, and that's really good to bring up a whole new batch of junior exhibitors,” Wheeler said. “I’m glad I get to grow up and do this with them.”

Parents of kids who are showing off their animals say there’s a lot of hard work, including everyday animal maintenance as well as all of the things it takes to make for a great show animal.

“They do a lot of hair combing and then a lot of practice and showmanship, which is leading them around in circles quite a bit and then making sure they look their best by the time we get to the fair,” Ashley Bergthold, a rancher and parent from Paris, Missouri, said.