The Free Stuff and Almost Free Stuff You Can Do At Mozark Fest

Mozark Fest, a celebration of today's Country and 70's rock is happening from September 20 through September 22 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds here in Sedalia.

While a lot of the buzz is centered around the concerts including Molly Hatchet on Friday, LoCash and Cooper Alan on Saturday, and Starship and Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple and Black Sabbath on Sunday there's a lot more to the festival, the best part, there's no admission fee to get into the fairgrounds to access all of these activities, although there may be some cost to participate in various activities on the fairgrounds.

The Hayden Freedom Foundation and Smith-Cotton HS JROTC are bringing The Traveling Vietnam Wall to the fairgrounds. People can visit the wall from Thursday, September 19 - Sunday, September 22.

On Saturday, September 21 there will be a motorcycle poker run coordinated by the Sedalia Motorcycle Association, and a car show being put on by the West Central Missouri Vintage Auto Club.

On Sunday, September 22, Midwest VW Fest is happening, it's a car show featuring Volkswagon's iconic Beetles and Microbuses.

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For kids, there's a Kid Zone with bounce houses and face painting on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22.

Throughout the weekend, you can check out crafters, fine arts craftsmen, quilters, and other vendors. Additionally, there will be a sports theatre bar with a 20-foot video screen and soft drinks and adult beverages available for purchase.

Additionally, tours of Starline Brass and the Trails End Monument at Highway 50 & 65 will be offered for those interested. In addition to free access to the Fairgrounds, parking for the Mozark Festival will also be free.

While I'm not saying you won't find things to spend money on while you wander Mozark Fest, one can certainly get out and hang with like-minded people without having to purchase a pass to get into the grounds or having to buy tickets to the concerts which will be taking place in the grandstand.

Finally, this isn't free, but it might be something that attendees might be interested in knowing. Camping will be available at the fairgrounds. There are 1300 full hookups available at $35 a night. If this interests you call 1-800-422-3247.

If you like the idea of live music and events at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, then I hope you'll support Mozark Fest. Booking concerts, much less trying to start a festival takes much work. If the music isn't your bag this year, then take advantage of the free admission to the fairgrounds and support the vendors and other activities going on.

Why? It's supporting the festival. A positive response from the public will probably lead to a second festival. It also gives organizers a story to tell booking agents when they want to book acts. The better attended, the more likely organizers can compete for acts with all the other venues that host live music in our area, between Kansas City, The Ozarks, and Springfield that's a lot of competition.

Driving home from Texas last fall, I took Highway 69 through Oklahoma. Along the way, I passed the site where they host Rocklahoma, it's literally in the middle of nowhere. Yet, it's one of the most successful rock festivals out there. If Rocklahoma can be a wild success. There isn't a reason we can't build our own.

That starts by supporting it and having fun at it. Whether it's pulling in the RV and buying tickets for all three festival days, or bringing the kids out to check out the car show for a couple of hours and enjoying an ice-cold lemonade from a vendor. All of it is important for the future.

You can check out and learn more about Mozark Fest here.