So, since OTB has disarmed everyone at the fair, and has a large private security force, and tons of Highway Patrol, he is taking responsibility for everyone's safety right? I mean, what else could it be, everyone that is legally carrying are the ones that have been FBI checked.----The Webmistress
August 13, 2004
"Is this weather fun or what?" State Fair Director Mel Willard shouted to audience cheers during the evening opening ceremonies, when temperatures hovered in the low 60s and headed lower as night fell.
State fairs are usually hot, sultry events, with extreme heat blamed for past slumps in attendance.
Not this year. With highs forecast in the low 70s through this weekend, Gov. Bob Holden predicted record attendance.
"Everybody was out this morning buying sweat shirts," Willard said.
Holden called the fair a "legacy" for Missouri’s agricultural heritage, a fun blend of farm culture and amusement rides, livestock shows and live music, and, of course, food. The fair will run through Aug. 22.
Three generations of Judy Halter’s family turned out for opening day, sharing funnel cakes laden with powdered sugar.
It was Halter’s 34th consecutive state fair, and she brought along adult children and young grandchildren.
"I had to turn my furnace on this morning, it was so cool," said Halter, of Bonne Terre. "This isn’t the kind of August weather we’re used to at the fair, that’s for sure."
Her grandson, Austin Miner, 11, of Farmington was showing his 2-year-old Australian shepherd, named Mikey, in the fair’s dog show.
"It’s just exciting. This is definitely the place to be," Austin said.
Upholding a fair custom, the opening ceremonies included free snacks for the crowd - this time, cupcakes with fluorescent icing. A B-2 Stealth bomber from nearby Whiteman Air Force Base flew low over the fairground just before the Pledge of Allegiance, and country music singer Charlie Daniels performed for opening night.
There were new signs mixed with the usual promotions. Posted outside the fair grandstand and venues selling alcohol, the signs announced that concealed guns were barred from those places.
Since last year’s fair, Missouri adopted a law allowing residents to carry concealed guns.
Willard said there had been no gun-related problems on opening day and said he didn’t expect any. He noted that the Missouri State Highway Patrol has scores of troopers on the grounds, along with a large private security force.