The Maries County Fair Association is pleased to announce Missouri-based American rock legends, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, will headline the 2021 Maries County Fair.  

Formed in Springfield, Mo. in 1971, the group originated as The Family Tree before changing its name to Cosmic Corncob & His Amazing Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Over time, the group’s name was shortened to its current format, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. While performing at the Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City, Mo., the band was “discovered” by music producers Glyn Johns and David Anderle.  With their support, the band was signed to A & M Records. Their first album, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, recorded in London, England, was released in 1973, spawning the Top 40 hit, “If You Wanna Get To Heaven.” In 1974, their sophomore album, It’ll Shine When It Shines, garnered additional fans with the release of “Jackie Blue,” which reached number one on the charts. Additional success followed, with tours throughout North America and Europe. Throughout their long career, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils have recorded eight studio albums, six live albums, five compilation albums, and two DVD’s, providing quality musical entertainment for their fans in six consecutive decades with additional songs including, “Chicken Train,” “Country Girl,” “Look Away,” “If I Only Knew,” “You Know Like I Know,” and “Take You Tonight”.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert, presented by The Maries County Bank, will be held at the fairgrounds’ motorsports complex on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at 8 p.m. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as bleacher seating is limited.  A designated VIP lawn chair seating area near the stage is available for a limited number of fairgoers, with VIP access available for an additional $20. VIP access must be purchased online at Eventbrite.com.

To celebrate the Ozark Mountain Daredevils concert, a 70’s costume contest will be held immediately before the concert.  Concert attendees are invited to break out their bell bottoms and bandanas, get funky, and join in the fun, showing off their 70’s style for some far out prize opportunities. So, be there or be square. Can you dig it?

In other fair news, all individuals ages five and older will require paid admission via a season pass, online season pass, or nightly gate admission fee. Season passes are $30, and will be sold at Vienna Quik Spot, The Market, G & W Foods, and Maries County Bank. The association anticipates season passes being available for purchase at these businesses by Aug. 1. Online season passes may be purchased at Eventbrite.com.  All online purchases will incur a processing fee assessed by Eventbrite.  Season passes will be sold online and in hard copy through Wednesday, Sept. 1, and will not be sold at the admissions gate.

Single day gate admission fees are Thursday $15, Friday $20, and Saturday $30. All individuals, including the general public, event competitors and participants, vendors and fair officials must present a season pass to gate officials or pay gate admission.  Individuals wishing to leave the fairgrounds and return must obtain a re-entry stamp at the admissions gate upon departure and show the re-entry stamp upon return. 

New to the 2021 fair, season pass or gate admission provides access to all carnival rides at no additional expense. That’s right, no armbands or ride tickets are needed at the 2021 Maries County Fair! Des Moines Amusements has been contracted to provide carnival rides, including the Columbus Ship, Mini Enterprise, Octopus, Swings, Fun House, Carousel and Train, as well as several inflatables. In addition, carnival games provided by Des Moines Amusements include Balloon Store, Break-A-Bottle, Duck Pond, Goldfish, and Ring-A-Bottle. Concessions available through Des Moines Amusements include cotton candy, lemonade shake-ups, and snow cones. Des Moines Amusements concessions are not included in season pass and gate admissions.

Rob Kilmer and Amanda Sandbothe are coordinating the Little Mr. & Miss Maries County Pageant, the Maries County Junior Princess Pageant, and the Maries County Fair Queen, and Princess Pageant. Pageants will be held Thursday evening at the upper ball diamond. Pre-registration for the Little Mr. & Miss Maries County Pageant is recommended; however, those unable to pre-register may register on-site prior to the 5 p.m. start of the competition. Individuals wishing to participate in the Maries County Fair Queen, Princess and Junior Princess Pageants must pre-register no later than Friday, Aug. 27. Registration forms are available for download on the Maries County Fair Association Facebook page or at viennamococ.com.

The Maries County Fair Association reserves the right to change publications, correct errors and deny access to fair events as determined by the board of directors. Please consult the Maries County Fair Association Facebook page or go to viennamococ.com for additional fair information, and watch the Maries County Advocate for future fair updates.