August 13-23, 2026
Missouri State Fairgrounds
2503 West 16th Street
Sedalia, Missouri
The Pork Place
Be sure to visit the Pork Place at the Missouri State Fair. Try the delicious Smoked Barbecue Ribs or the Top Chop Dinner. Maybe you prefer a flame-grilled pork burger, shredded barbecue pork sandwich, or a baked potato loaded with barbecue pork and cheese sauce. And bring the kids for a pork hot dog meal with chops and a drink. You’ll find the Pork Place in the same place it has been for over 40 years, one block west of the Grandstand. Visit https://mopork.com/events/missouri-state-fair/the-pork-place/ for more details.
We need your help in manning the Pork Place. If you and a your group would like to work a 6 hour shift, please contact Amanda Swaim at (573) 445-8375, or at amanda@mopork.com.
The Missouri Pork Association will be actively involved in many events at the Fair, including:
Youth Swine Skillathon
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Swine Pavilion
9:00 am
Divisions
Age 12 & Under
Age 13-15
Age 16 & Over
The first part of the three-stage contest is a hands-on swine management test including breed identification, equipment identification, ear notching, feed medication withdrawal, calculation growth performance, pork carcass cuts, meat quality evaluation, environmental issues and feed ingredient identification. The second section is a short quiz that covers current events and general information about the swine industry in Missouri, the United States and internationally. The final stage is a 5-minute personal interview with a State Extension Specialist about their swine project and the Show Me Quality Assurance/Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus Program. Visit the Missouri State Fair Premium Guide online for more information.
4-H & FFA Youth Swine Judging Contest
Friday, August 14, 2026
Swine Pavilion
Immediately after the Barrow Show
Novice – ages 5-8
Junior – ages 9-13
Senior – ages 14-18
Pro – ages 19-21
The 4-H & FFA Swine Judging Contest is sponsored by the Missouri State Fair in cooperation with the Missouri Pork Association. The competition is open to all Missouri youth ages 5-21. There will be four divisions: Novice (ages 5-8), Junior (ages 9-13), Senior (ages 14-18) and Pro (ages 19-21). Registration for the contest will be from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Swine Pavilion with the contest beginning at 12:00 pm. Entry fees are $5.00 per person. Each team must be entered by a sponsor (Agriculture Education instructor or University of Missouri Extension Specialist). A team may have three (3) to four (4) members; only the top (3) three individual scores will determine the team total. Individuals are also able to enter as a single contestant.
The contest will consist of four (4) swine judging classes with two (2) sets of questions. No oral reasons will be taken. Note: The number of classes is subject to change. The first-place individual and the first-place team in each division will be awarded.
The results of the contest will be announced and posted in the Swine Pavilion as soon as they are available. These will be displayed no later than the following day. A copy of the results will also be mailed to each coach at the conclusion of the Missouri State Fair. Visit the Missouri State Fair Premium Guide online for more information.
To register prior to the Fair, contact MPA at 573-445-8375, or email mpa-intern@mopork.com.
Best in the Midwest Biscuits and Gravy Cooking Contest
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association
Visit http://www.mostatefair.com for contest rules.
For more information about the 2026 Missouri State Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com.
For more information about the Missouri Pork Association’s involvement in the fair, e-mail our office or call (573) 445-8375.