This year, 2011, will be the 75th Anniversary of the Ozark Empire Fair. The fair takes place in Springfield at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds starting July 29 – August 7. Branson is just about 43 miles from Springfield, so if you’re planning a trip to Branson it would be a short (and not to mention worthy) drive to come experience the fair. Just grab some convenient lodging in Branson, check out the many remarkable shows and exciting attractions there, and then head to Springfield for the Ozark Empire Fair!

If you’re a food fanatic, you can’t miss the fair. Classics like funnel cakes, BBQ chicken, corn on a stick, and fried taters will be yours to enjoy. But not only are the traditional fair foods featured, there’s also sushi, fried green tomatoes, and deep-fried snickers, twinkies, and oreos! Wash it all down with a delicious drink such as blackberry tea, smoothies, or hand-dipped shakes. The fair is a paradise for lovers of savory treats.

Fun-seekers will have a blast will all the carnival attractions. The White Water Log Flume is a rare carnival ride (only four in the nation) that puts you in a boat and drops you down slopes that could you get you soaking wet! The largest portable slide ever made, the Mega Slide, spans 190’ so you’ll speed down the track with the wind in your hair. Reaching 120’ up in the air, the Giant Gondola Wheel is the classic Ferris wheel that will give you a bird’s-eye-view. Those are just a few of the rides coming to the fair, and the young and old will find attractions suitable for them.

There’s also going to be a lot of music happening. Disney’s Imagination Movers will be performing July 29th and the next night will be Smash Mouth. Dwight Yoakam, Ernie Haase, and Three Dog Night will all be showing up for a set. The Happy Together Tour will be coming August 3rd and the days after that will include bull blasts, truck and tractor pulls, and a demolition derby. You won’t want to miss any of this!

There is nothing better than grabbing a tasty hot dog and a cold soda as you settle in on a cool Spring evening for an exciting Springfield Cardinals baseball game. Since 2005, the minor league team has thrilled Springfield residents and visitors alike hitting home runs and striking out the opposing team just like their parent team the St. Louis Cardinals. It is not unusual for the minor league team to host one of the major league players during the season and tickets are always hard to find when the two teams face off at the beginning of the season during an exhibition game. Kids are sure to enjoy their time at the game also when they see Louie, the team’s mascot, making his way down the aisle to rub elbows with them. Team members also sign autographs near the entry gates at every game. Tickets range in price from $6 general admission to the pricier $47. The season lasts from April to September.

Don’t forget that Branson is a just short trip away from Springfield with even more fun activities to enjoy. Choose lodging in Branson, so you can enjoy some of their great shows and attractions when you aren’t enjoying America’s favorite pastime in Springfield.

There is nothing like the fair for hot summer fun and entertainment. The Ozark Empire Fair brings all of that excitement to Springfield, MO each year,  and it’s almost time for the fair to come back to town. July 30th to August 8th, the fair will be up and running at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds. Wonderful concerts, great rides, competitions, and delicious food are just a few of things you can expect to enjoy at the fair.

This year’s fair performers will be better than ever with thrilling artists like Kellie Pickler, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Finger Eleven scheduled to perform. You will have to plan ahead in order to make sure that you don’t miss your favorite performer’s show. Tickets are sold seperately from general admission to the fair.

Of course, people don’t just go to the fair for the fantastic concerts, they also go because of the great rides and food at the fair. This year, fried twinkies, barbecue, shakes, fried green tomatoes, chicken teriyaki, and other delectable treats will be spread throughout the fair for you to sample. It might be best to get your food after the rides though with rides like the Zyklon Coaster, White Water Log Flume, and The Mega Slide set up for your enjoyment. 

Don’t forget that Branson is a just short trip away from Springfield with even more fun activities to enjoy. Choose to lodge in Branson, so you can enjoy some of their great shows and attractions when you aren’t enjoying the fair in Springfield.

Today marks the opening day of the annual Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, Mo, which is just 30 minutes north of Branson.

“Rock, Roll, & Ride” is the theme of this year’s fair. The Ozark Empire Fair will take place at the Ozark Empire Fairground July 31 to Aug 9. The fair’s grand opening takes place at 12 noon today with street performers and the opening of the Midway. The day finishes with a kick-off concert from legendary performers the Beach Boys, who will be performing at the Grandstand.

Each day of the fair, the exhibit hall will be open from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. in the E*Plex East Hall and feature booths and exhibits from local businesses and artisans, as well as contest entries, including food, photography, and gardening.

Another feature of the fair is the traditional livestock show. Entries in this year’s fair include steers, cows, sheep, rabbits, chickens, hogs, and more. The livestock show goes on throughout the duration of the fair.

In addition to the livestock and exhibits, the Ozark Empire Fair will be featuring nightly concerts and events. Headliners of this year’s fair include the Beach Boys, Raven Symone, and Montgomery Gentry. Other events include a Demolition Derby on Sunday, Aug 9, and Truck and Tractor Pulls on Saturday, Aug 10.

For food, fun, and games, the Midway, presented by Wade Shows, will be open each day beginning at 1 p.m., featuring classic rides like the Ferris Wheel and Bumper Cars and delicious fair food like funnel cakes, corn dogs, and all kinds of fried food on a stick, including fried Oreos!

The fair includes a full schedule with more events, which you can find at http://www.ozarkempirefair.com/Ozark-Empire-Fair/Schedule.htm.

Parking is free until 3 p.m., after which parking is $4. Adult admission is $6, and child admission is $2, with children 5 and under getting in free. The fair is open each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information about the Ozark Empire Fair, see its official web site.

For all of your Branson lodging needs, be sure to check out BransonShows.com or call 1-800-987-6298. BransonShows.com features a variety of lodging located in the heart of Branson and the surrounding areas, including Springfield, in addition to tickets for many Branson attractions and shows.

If you love barbeque ribs, the Annual Rock ‘n Ribs BBQ Festival in Springfield, MO is an event tailor made for you. Held on April 17th and 18th at Bass Pro Shops, the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival raises money for charities and it provides food and fun for contestants and spectators alike. The two day event features several team competitions in different categories such as the best pork ribs, the best brisket, the best chicken and the best sauce. Over 50 teams will battle it out in the Grill master cook-off. There is even a competition for which team can make the best Margarita. Other activities at the festival include a motorcycle show, a petting zoo, a climbing wall, a pie-eating contest and a variety of children’s activities. In addition, there will be plenty of live music to enjoy. The Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders are even making a special appearance.
Best of all, the fun you have will help a good cause. The proceeds from the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival will be donated to several charities including Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Ronald McDonald House. Last year the event raised over 100,000 dollars for charities! For more information on the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival go to their website at http://www.rocknribs.com/ . If you plan on attending the Rock ‘n Ribs Festival you may want to reserve lodging in Branson through our website at http://www.bransonshows.com/ or call us at 1-800-987-6298 to make room reservations. Bring your appetite and come on down to the Missouri Ozarks for rock, ribs and recreation!