The theme for the 2024 Cole Camp Fair, which will be held on September 5, 6 and 7, in downtown Cole Camp, is “Still Cruisin’”.
A livestock show will be a preliminary event that will be held on Wednesday evening, September 4, on the street in front of the bandstand on Hwy 52 beginning at 7:00 PM. Concessions will be available that evening from one of the church food stands.
The Cole Camp Fair opens on Thursday, September 5, with judging of entries in all departments, a Future King and Queen Contest, teen contests and the Grand Parade of Floats. Bandstand entertainment following the parade will be the Evan Carter Band performing a mix of country and rock-n-roll.
Friday, September 6, brings adult and children’s games during the day, an antique and classic tractor parade beginning at 7:00 PM, followed by the Grand Parade of Floats. Entertainment on the grandstand following the parade will be The Vincents, a trio of musicians that play everything from 50’s rockabilly to modern days hits, all while performing what they call musical “shenanigans.”
The final day of the fair begins early on Saturday, September 7, with a 5-K Run/2 Mile Walk plus a new half-mile Kids Race. A Kiddie Parade begins at 10:00 AM, followed by a Parade of Floats at 10:00 AM.
Other events during the day on Saturday include a baby show (Legion Hall), a coon dog show, a car show (Butterfield Park), the Loehnig Family German Band in the Jaycee Beer Garden, a children’s pedal pull, plus a Cow Chip Throwing contest.
Saturday evening activities begin with an antique car parade at 6:30 PM, followed by the Grand Parade of Floats.
The Jaycees Beer Garden will be open all three nights of the fair with live music until 1:00 AM. The band lineup in the beer garden is Cedar Creek on Thursday night and Shotgun Creek on both Friday and Saturday night.
The Fun Time Shows carnival will be set up on the midway along Maple Street with rides and games. They will offer Pay One Price for rides good for 4-hour sessions all three days of the fair. Coupons for the Pay One Price are available at a reduced rate until noon on September 5 at Brothers Market and Main Street
Mutual Insurance in Cole Camp and at W-K Collision Center in Sedalia.
Reserved seats for the evening parades are on sale at Main Street Mutual Insurance in Cole Camp until noon on Thursday, September 5. Following that date, reserved seats are available for sale from FFA members in front of the bandstand immediately before each evening parade.
Local churches provide delicious food and homemade pies throughout the fair as well as a Saturday morning breakfast.
Fair books with information about the various exhibits for display and judging are available from Cole Camp merchants in the business district. The Cole Camp Fair Facebook page also provides lots of information before and during the fair.
Plan to be in Cole Camp on September 5, 6 and 7 to visit this year’s fair and enjoy the shows, exhibits and parades. Cole Camp is proud to host this annual street fair and show visitors one of Cole Camp’s favorite traditions.
“Still Cruisin’” for over one hundred years!
