LINN — Visitors attending this week’s Osage County Fair from Thursday through Saturday will notice more than just a new carnival and familiar events at the Linn Lions Club Fairgrounds.

Traditionally, the fair has been held in July, but circumstances this year led to a June event.

According to Fair Committee Chairman Andy Dudenhoeffer, long-time carnival vendor, Show Me Amusements, notified the club that the owners would be retiring this year and could not provide rides and games for the fair. That notification came around the first of January, said Dudenhoeffer noted, leaving Lions Club members scrambling to find an alternative.

“There’s fewer and fewer and fewer carnivals now, just since COVID hit,” Dudenhoeffer explained. “(The) labor’s not there like it used to be. There was just an interruption in their usual cycle, and it killed a lot of carnivals.”

Dudenhoeffer said Jones and Company Carnival of Lexington had an opening in June, so the Lions moved the date.

He went on to explain that the fair isn’t financially viable for the Lions Club without a carnival. The proceeds from gate sales are used to fund the events on the track, but concessions are where the Lions Club makes its profit. “We have spectators that come watch events, (but) the carnival brings in families,” he said, explaining that families buy most of the concessions. “Without something for the kids to do, the moms and dads are maybe reluctant to come.”

He added that despite the earlier date, volunteers have spent countless hours making improvements to the grounds in hopes of providing a better experience for families and spectators. “We have a carnival coming this year we’ve never had before, and by the looks of it, it’s a better carnival,” said Dudenhoeffer. “It’s exciting to have something new for the kids and families that enjoy a carnival. Obviously, it’s a bigger attraction for families. Younger kids are excited to have something that will attract and entertain them all three nights.”

Dudenhoeffer added that the Lions Club hopes to sign a contract with Jones and Company Carnival for future dates so they can keep fair dates consistent going forward, whether it stays in June or returns to the traditional second weekend in July.

“It’s a bigger (carnival) than one we typically hire,” he explained. “They’ve got the kiddie rides, like all the carnivals have. They have intermediate rides, adult rides, and their carnival foods. But they’re a little bigger outfit than what we’ve had historically, so we’re hoping community likes it.”

Among the most noticeable changes are the continuing improvements around the grandstand area. “We did our phase two of our bleacher project, our grandstand project,” Dudenhoeffer said. “We got that completed thanks to a few very generous community members and some Lions Club members who chipped in to get that thing all put together and orchestrated.”

Rather than navigating steep, muddy hillsides behind uneven bleachers, fairgoers will find expanded concrete walkways and improved seating.

“We have invested a lot of time and resources into concrete and steel,” Dudenhoeffer said. “People were always having to sit on bleachers that weren’t exactly flat and were having to navigate behind bleachers on a sloped hill. When it rained and got muddy, that became quite an issue.”

The committee also rented a third set of bleachers from Lincoln University, increasing seating capacity to more than 1,000 spectators around the track.

“It’ll be nice to have bleachers on either side of the track,” Dudenhoeffer said. “Parents who want to keep an eye on their children over by the carnival area can still watch the events happening on the track.”

Additional upgrades include three large ceiling fans in the yellow pavilion. “We’ve hung some ceiling fans in the concession pavilion area this year to help move some air, maybe keep the bugs away a little bit,” Dudenhoeffer said. “More importantly than anything, it just gets the air moving around there for those hot, muggy days.”

The fairgrounds themselves are in excellent condition heading into the week. “The grounds look amazing right now,” Dudenhoeffer said. “As good as they’ve looked, I think we’re ready.”

Competition and entertainment are also expanding this year.

One of the newest additions is the “Wingin’ It” smoked chicken wing competition on Saturday. “We used to have some smoking competitions in years past, but that kind of fizzled out,” Dudenhoeffer said. “We’re bringing it back and doing baby steps as we navigate through this first year.”

Five teams are expected to compete. For $10, visitors can sample wings from each competitor, receive two beverages from either the concession stand or beer garden, and vote for their favorite wing. Traditional judges will also award cash prizes for the top three competitors (first-$500, second-$250, and third-$100).

“That barbecue smell just feels well at hand,” Dudenhoeffer said. “People like it, especially when they’re drinking beer and having a good time watching livestock events or anything fair-related.”

Another addition is a competitive cornhole tournament organized by Brendon Hostetler. It will be held in the hog barn.

“This is competitive,” Dudenhoeffer said. “It’s not your run-of-the-mill cornhole tournament.”

The event features two divisions with $2,500 in added prize money plus a full payout of entry fees. Teams from around Missouri and possibly neighboring states are expected to compete. Dudenhoeffer encouraged interested players to register early because participation is capped at 40 teams with an entry fee of $40 per team.

Dudenhoeffer noted there will be two divisions: Competitive and Tailgate, depending on skill.

A total of $2,500 in prize money has been added to the pot, which will be paired with a 100% payout from entry fees. The top three teams will receive trophies and rings.

Contact Hostetler at 573-694-3418 for more information.

Motorsports fans will again have plenty to enjoy.

The traditional Farm Tractor Pull remains a Thursday evening staple, while Friday night will feature the Mid-Missouri Truck and Tractor Pull. “This should be a better event than it was last year,” Dudenhoeffer said. “Last year we were competing with a really big pull in Marthasville, and we lost a lot of pullers to that event. This year we’re the only truck and tractor pull in the state that night, so it’s shaping up to be a pretty good one, as long as Mother Nature plays nice with us.”

Contact Richard Martin — 573-864-7097 or by email at mmttpa@gmail.com for information.

Mud Bowl XXXVI returns Saturday afternoon.

Overall, Dudenhoeffer is pleased to present the Osage County Fair. “We’ve been doing pretty good,” Dudenhoeffer said. “The grounds look amazing right now. I think we’re ready.”

Season passes and carnival armbands are available at locations listed on the fair’s website and Facebook page.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

Livestock shows begin at 8 a.m. Livestock sales and the awards ceremony begin at 6 p.m.

Food stands and the beer garden (featuring aluminum bottles) open at 5 p.m.

Opening ceremonies begin at 6:45 p.m. Activities Director Mark Loethen will offer remarks after an invocation by Pastor David Krueger and the National Anthem performed by Violet Sullentrup. Veterans, first responders, EMS, frontline healthcare workers, and law enforcement personnel will again be recognized during the ceremony.

The carnival will operate from 6-10 p.m. Armbands are $20 in advance and $25 at the fair.

Hot Wheels races will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the food pavilion, with races beginning at 7 p.m. A $1 entry fee gets you a car — open to children 0-14, and the competition is limited to the first 32 entrants.

The Little Miss and Mister Contest with a “Magical Dreams” theme also begins at 7 p.m. If you desire, dress as fairies, wizards, and magical creatures. Registration will be held from 6 to 6:45 at the main stage area. There is no registration fee. Contact Rhonda at ocmrmiss@yahoo.com for details.

The Farm Tractor Pull also begins at 7 p.m. Contact Ron Hoffman at 573-897-2591 or Alfred Brandt at 573-897-2120 for additional information.

The Show-Me Clowns will make appearances beginning around 7:30 p.m.

Steve the Reptile Man’s Reptile Experience starts at 8 p.m. at the main stage. Come out and hold a lizard, pet a snake, and see many, many other reptiles.

Kids games begin at 9 p.m. and include a water balloon toss, bubble gum blowing contest, and turtle races. Bring your own turtle. Prizes will be presented for the fastest and prettiest.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

Kids Morning Out will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Pavilion.

Livestock shows begin at 11 a.m.

Food stands and beer gardens open at 5 p.m.

The carnival operates from 6-10 p.m.

The Mid-Missouri Truck and Tractor Pull begins at 7 p.m.

The Kids’ Tractor Pull starts at 7 p.m., with registration from 6:30-7 p.m., and the Greased Pig Contest will follow at the West end of the track by the EMS area and sidewalk. Registration starts at 6 p.m.

The Parent-Child Look-Alike Contest and hula hoop and twist contest begin at 9 p.m., after which, music by NiteLyfe will be featured until midnight.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

Teams will begin setting up for the Wingin’ It smoked chicken wing competition at 10 a.m.

The cornhole tournament registration opens at 11 a.m., and the bags fly at noon.

Food stands and beer gardens open at 1 p.m.

Chicken wing sampling will be available from 2-4 p.m. for $10.

The 3-on-3 basketball tournament and free throw contest begin at 3 p.m. at the State Tech Activity Center. Contact: Tom Klebba at 573-897-2204 for more information.

The Power Wheels Mud Run, sponsored by Parts City, also starts at 3 p.m., with registration at 2:30 p.m. Contact Mitch Branson with questions 573-690-4205.

Mud Bowl XXXVI is slated to begin at 4 p.m. Contact Nick Bakameyer at 573-301-1216 with questions.

The Parents as Teachers Baby Show, themed “A Day at the Beach,” begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact Abbie Duke with questions 573-694-2575

The carnival operates from 6-10 p.m.

The Mint Hill Kids Choir performs at 6 p.m. in the food pavilion.

The Osage Drifters will provide old-time country music from 7-8:30 p.m., and the Kids Karaoke Contest, led by by Big Missouri Karaoke Stars (Ross Entertainment), begins at 8 p.m.

Backroad Bonfire performs from 9 p.m. to midnight on the stage, while adult karaoke will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight in the barbecue pavilion.

Additional information and registration (for certain events) are available at https://www.osagecountyfair.com and on Facebook.