Ste. Geneviève County Fair

Ste. Genevieve County Fair – Where Summer Gets Loud, Fast, and Delicious

Every year on the second full weekend in July, the Ste. Genevieve County Fairgrounds transform into the epicenter of summer excitement, where engines roar, metal crunches, crowds cheer, and the irresistible aroma of fair food fills the air. This isn’t some sanitized, corporate-sponsored festival—this is a real county fair with dirt, diesel fumes, demolition, and the kind of unpretentious fun that reminds you why summer in rural America is something special.

High-Octane Thrills: The Main Events

Truck Pull: Power Meets Pavement

Prepare for an adrenaline-pumping spectacle as gigantic trucks—modified monsters with engines—line up to test their raw power against an increasingly heavy sled. The truck pull is primal competition at its finest: driver skill, engine modifications, tire grip, and sheer mechanical force all combine as these behemoths drag massive weight down the track, their engines screaming in protest.

For those unfamiliar with truck pulls, prepare to be amazed by the modifications these competitors make to their vehicles—massive tires, engine swaps, custom exhausts, and engineering tweaks that transform ordinary trucks into fire-breathing dragons of torque and horsepower. These aren’t showroom trucks; they’re purpose-built competitors representing hundreds of hours of work and generations of mechanical knowledge.

Demolition Derby: Beautiful Destruction

If you’ve ever secretly wondered what it would be like to just ram your car into someone else’s without consequences, the demolition derby is your vicarious release. This is controlled chaos at its finest—cars deliberately smashing into each other, metal crunching, parts flying, and drivers competing to be the last vehicle still running.

The strategy is more complex than it first appears. Do you go aggressive early, risking mechanical failure, or play defense and wait for others to eliminate themselves? Do you target the strongest competitor or pick off the weak? Front-end hits deliver more power but expose your engine; rear-end hits protect your vital systems but require driving backward.

The crowd goes wild with each impact, cheering particularly spectacular crashes and groaning when a favorite car takes a devastating hit. Engines smoke, radiators spew, and eventually, only one car remains mobile enough to be crowned champion. It’s demolition as sport, destruction as entertainment, and it’s absolutely thrilling to watch.

Tractor Pull: Agriculture Meets Athletics

Don’t let the agricultural origins fool you—the tractor pull is serious competition featuring serious power. Engines rev loudly as tractors—some antique, some heavily modified, some purpose-built pulling machines that barely resemble farm equipment—attempt to haul unimaginable weights down the track.

The tractor pull showcases different classes and categories, from stock tractors that might actually work on farms to unlimited modified machines that exist purely for competition. Each class brings its own drama, its own champions, its own techniques and modifications.

Youth Livestock Show and Auction: Where Agriculture’s Future Shines

At 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, the fairgrounds shift focus from mechanical power to agricultural excellence as young people 18 and under showcase months of dedication in the Youth Livestock Show and Auction. This isn’t just a cute display of farm animals—it’s serious competition with rigorous standards, professional judging, and opportunities that extend to state-level competition for top performers.

Livestock arrives Thursday and Friday, and visitors can view the animals throughout the entire fair weekend, observing the care and preparation these young exhibitors invest in their projects. A paid professional judge evaluates both animal quality and showmanship, assessing everything from proper handling techniques to the exhibitor’s knowledge and presentation skills. Winners can progress to state competition, representing a significant achievement that reflects mastery of complex agricultural skills.

Following the judging, the auction allows exhibitors to sell their animals, with local businesses and community members often paying premium prices that recognize the hard work invested. These youth livestock programs teach responsibility, work ethic, animal science, and business skills while transmitting agricultural heritage to the next generation. When you attend Saturday’s livestock show, you’re witnessing the development of future agricultural leaders and the continuation of practices that sustain rural communities.

The County Fair Beauty Pageant: Celebrating Poise, Personality, and Community

The county fair beauty pageant is a big part of our culture in Ste. Genevieve County—a tradition that celebrates young women’s poise, personality, community involvement, and ability to represent their county with grace and confidence. Modern pageants evaluate far more than appearance, assessing interview skills, stage presence, community service, and the kind of engaging personality that allows winners to effectively serve as county ambassadors. These are life skills—public speaking, composure under pressure, graceful communication—that serve contestants well in college admissions, job interviews, and leadership roles throughout their lives.

For the pageant winner who is 17 years old, the county title opens doors to state competition, bringing valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and potential scholarship support for college education. The pageant represents tradition and continuity, connecting current participants to generations of women who competed before them, while providing formal recognition of young women’s accomplishments and readiness to represent their community. Whether you have personal connections to contestants or not, attending the pageant supports these young women who’ve invested significant preparation into the experience and celebrates the diverse forms of excellence—from agricultural expertise to stage presence—that make county fairs special.

But Wait—There’s More Than Motors

While the truck pull, demolition derby, and tractor pull provide the fair’s headline-grabbing excitement, the Ste. Genevieve County Fair understands that not everyone’s heart races at the sound of revving engines. This is a true county fair, which means it offers something for everyone in the family.

Live Music: Local Bands Take the Stage

Throughout the fair, local bands perform live music that creates the soundtrack for your summer evening. These aren’t anonymous background tracks piped through speakers—these are your neighbors, local musicians who love their craft and are thrilled to play for their community.

The music might range from country and classic rock to blues and contemporary hits, reflecting the diverse tastes of the region. Between watching the main events, grab a seat (or spread a blanket) and enjoy the simple pleasure of outdoor entertainment on a warm July evening.

These musicians are performing because they love it, and that passion shows. Plus, supporting local talent keeps the musical tradition alive in the community and gives emerging artists valuable performance experience.

Fair Food: Indulgence Is Mandatory

Let’s be honest: you can’t attend a county fair without embracing the food. This is not the time for calorie counting or dietary restrictions (unless medically necessary). The Ste. Genevieve County Fair delivers all the classic fair food indulgences that make summer special.

The food isn’t haute cuisine—it’s fair food, and that’s exactly what makes it perfect. These are the tastes of summer, of childhood memories, of treating yourself because you’re at the fair and that’s what you do. The calories don’t count at the county fair; that’s just science.

Something for Everyone

The beauty of the Ste. Genevieve County Fair is its inclusivity. Whether you’re:

• A gearhead thrilled by engine modifications and mechanical competition
• A music lover supporting local bands
• A foodie (or just someone with functioning taste buds) seeking classic fair food
• A family looking for affordable summer entertainment where kids can run around safely
• A couple on a fun, casual date
• Friends gathering for an annual tradition
• A photographer capturing rural American culture

…you’ll find something to enjoy. The fair doesn’t require sophisticated tastes or specific interests—it just requires showing up with an open mind and willingness to have a good time.

A Tradition Worth Keeping

County fairs are disappearing across America—victims of changing entertainment habits, economic pressures, and the general acceleration of modern life. That makes the Ste. Genevieve County Fair’s continued vitality something worth celebrating and supporting.

These fairs represent more than just entertainment. They’re community gatherings that bring together rural and town residents, farmers and merchants, young and old. They showcase agricultural heritage while embracing contemporary competition. They provide affordable family entertainment and support local vendors and performers.

Plan Your Visit

When: Second full weekend in July, annually

Where: Ste. Genevieve County Fairgrounds

What to Expect:

• Truck pull competition
• Demolition derby
• Tractor pull
• Livestock Show & Auction
• Beauty Pageant
• Live music from local bands
• Fair food vendors
• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Outdoor venue (dress for summer weather)

Admission: Check locally for current admission prices and event schedules

Tips for the Best Experience:

Come Hungry: The fair food is part of the experience. Budget for indulgence and don’t feel guilty about it.

Bring Cash: While some vendors may accept cards, cash is king at county fairs. ATMs may have lines, so come prepared.

Dress Appropriately:

• Comfortable shoes (you’ll be walking and standing)
• Summer-appropriate clothing (it’s July in Missouri—expect heat and humidity)
• Hat and sunscreen for daytime portions
• Light jacket for evening if temperatures drop

Arrive Early for Good Spots: Popular events like the demolition derby draw crowds. Arriving early ensures better seating/viewing positions.

Bring Ear Protection for Small Children: The engine competitions are LOUD. Small children may benefit from ear protection.

Plan for Parking: County fairs attract crowds, which means parking lots fill up. Allow extra time and be prepared to walk from outlying lots.

Stay Hydrated: July heat + excitement + salty fair food = need for hydration. Drink water throughout the day.

Bring Cash for Kids: If you’re bringing children, giving them a set amount of cash for food/games teaches budgeting while ensuring they can participate in fair fun.

Check the Schedule: Specific event times for truck pull, derby, and tractor pull may vary. Check ahead so you don’t miss what you came to see.

Embrace the Chaos: County fairs are dusty, loud, crowded, and slightly chaotic. That’s part of the charm. Roll with it.

Support Local Vendors: The food vendors, craft sellers, and performers are often local businesses and artists. Your support matters to them.

Take Photos: The fair provides wonderful photo opportunities—dramatic competition action, atmospheric evening shots, candid family moments. Capture the memories.

Make It a Tradition: The best county fair experiences come from making it an annual tradition. Kids grow up with fair memories, friends establish yearly reunion points, and couples return year after year.

What Makes It Special

In an era of carefully curated Instagram experiences and commercialized entertainment, the Ste. Genevieve County Fair remains refreshingly real. The competition is genuine—these aren’t actors or performers, but real competitors who’ve spent months preparing their vehicles. The music comes from actual local bands, not streaming services. The food, while not health food, is honest fair food made by vendors who’ve been doing this for years.

There’s no pretense, no exclusivity, no gatekeeping. Everyone’s welcome—locals and visitors, young and old, gearheads and those who can’t tell a carburetor from a transmission. The fair doesn’t care about your sophistication level or whether you understand every technical aspect of truck pulling. It just wants you to show up, have fun, eat too much, cheer loudly, and remember why summer in small-town America is something special.